Favourite Christmas Carols
What are your favourite Christmas Carols? Carol reminisces about some of the Christmas songs that have appealed to her over the years.
A Love For Christmas Carols
I love Christmas music. How do I pick my favourite Christmas carol when I enjoy the music of Christmas so much from the stillness reflected in Silent Night to the jubilant tones of Joy to the World; from the rising crescendo of O Holy Night to my childhood favourite, Away in the Manger. I do enjoy all the traditional songs of this special season as well as some of the modern ones too. I felt like throwing the names in my hat and choosing one to write about.
Why I Enjoy Christmas Carols
I thought about these various songs and why I enjoy them. Was there one that stood out? Not really but memories about a few did surface. Star of the East came to mind. This song was written in 1890 by George Cooper. The music is by Amanda Kennedy. Star of the East oh Bethlehem Star. Shining thy light from heaven afar is how it begins. It is not a common song but one that my friend, Joanne, wanted us to play this as a special number for Christmas Eve service. We had a great time practicing together and then enjoyed sharing this beautiful old piece on the piano and organ.
Then I thought of C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S, a simple song encompassing the message of the season. I could find the lyrics of how a youngster was taught to spell Christmas. C is for the Christ child, born upon that day. H for herald angels in the night. R means our Redeemer. I means Israel. S is for the star that shone so bright. T is for three wise men, they that traveled far. M is for the manger where he lay. A is all he stands for. S means shepherds came and that’s why there’s a Christmas day. Yet I could not find the writer of this lovely little song.
Then I thought of another carol which I do not hear sung very often. The first time I heard this song, I was drawn to its haunting melody and contrasting scenes between peace and our broken world. It drew me to how the only true peace can come from God. This song and its message fit so well in the isolation we have faced during this year. We listen to the news of unrest, frustration, anger, and even hatred that is part of our broken world and which mocks the message of peace, goodwill, and harmony which Jesus came to bring to the world.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
The text for I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, is a poem by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and narrates his dismay and despair upon hearing Christmas bells pealing during the American Civil War. Two years prior to this, his personal peace was shaken when his second wife of eighteen years had suffered very bad burns. Then in 1863, his oldest son joined the Union army without his father’s blessing. His son simply left his father a letter explaining his desire to fight for his country being greater than his need to wait for dad’s permission. In November he was wounded and eventually recovered but not enough to resume his role as a soldier.
On Christmas day, after hearing the bells pealing, Wadsworth wrote his poem which was published in February 1865 in a newspaper. Some of the verses in the poem refer specifically to the Civil War and are not included in the Christmas carol. These are stanzas four and five.
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good will to man.
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth stones of a continent
And make forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
The bells symbolize the hope for peace.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
There old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
of peace on earth, good will to men.
Throughout the stanzas the last line remains the same—of peace on earth, good will to men as the hope and reassurance that the angels announced to the shepherds at Jesus’ birth.
And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said,
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth good will to men.
In 1872, John Baptiste Caulkin, an English organist set the poem to music. It took until 1956 when it was recorded by Bing Crosby to make this a more widely known carol.
The last stanza calls for the joy the bells proclaim to take precedence over all that is broken and hurting in this world.
Til ringing, singing is on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
God is Not Dead or Sleeping
No matter what is happening in your world this Christmas season, God is not dead nor does He sleep. We may not understand the brokenness surrounding us or within our own lives. But as we listen to the story of Christmas through words and music, may we keep our focus on the reason for the season instead of being sidetracked by the calls for buying more, celebrating bigger, and the magnifying of the differences between those sentiments.
As I listen to the peaceful strains of Silent Night or the majestic notes of O Holy Night, I remember the babe in the manger who came to go to the cross for me.
Do you have a favourite Christmas carol? How early in the season do you start playing Christmas carols?
We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life or visit Carol’s website carolscorner.ca
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope.
She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
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