I don’t know that either the person who wrote the lyrics or the one who composed the music of this song is a Christian, but the words still grasp and express truths about Christmas Day. While birds don’t give us peace, God is able to do so in the midst of our sorrows. Though we […]
Not only do Christmas carols tell the story of the birth of Christ, but many explain why He was born. Indeed, when the angel appeared to the shepherds the very reason he said he was bringing them good news of great joy was because a Savior was born for them. But the angel said to them, […]
Good Christian Men, Rejoice is a rollicking carol of joy. The lyrics and music echo each other as words and notes both rejoice that Christ is born. It was translated into English1 from Piæ Cantiones,2 a compilation of Latin songs done in 1582, by Finnish student, Theodoricus Petri. The music is based on a 14th […]
There is such rich variety in the music of Christmas. The carols we sing have come to us from different centuries, from different countries, and with many different musical styles. In “Lo, How A Rose Er’e Blooming,” I mentioned that when we sing these words or listen to these carols, we join with other believers […]
I first heard Mary, Did You Know? sung by a small ensemble at the water’s edge of St. Augustine during an outdoor Christmas celebration over ten years ago. The lyrics and music throughout the song call you to meet and to know the Lord Jesus. The song’s bridge contains the words that caught me then and […]
Music is one of the most wonderful aspects of the Christmas season. The songs of hope, joy and love span centuries and countries, and when we sing these words or listen to these carols, we join with other believers who in other times and in other places worshiped God with the same music. “Lo, How […]
“I Wonder As I Wander” is an American Christmas carol with words and melody by John Jacob Niles. He based it on a few snatches of song he heard on July 16, 1933, in the small Appalachian town of Murphy, North Carolina: “A girl had stepped out to the edge of the little platform attached […]
“In The Bleak Midwinter” is a lovely Christmas carol written by Christina Rossetti. Our God, heaven cannot hold him, Nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away When he comes to reign; In the bleak midwinter A stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. In the two videos below the words are […]
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! is one of the oldest songs heard during the Advent season. The roots of the music of go back to the 15th century.1 […]