Do You Here What I Hear?

There’s music in the air!

Christmas music that is!

Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart... filled it, too, with melody that would last forever. ~ Bess Steeter Aldrich

 

Christmas music has been an essential part of Christmas for centuries, people have gathered together in villages, town squares, churches, and barns to celebrate the birth of Jesus by singing.

Christmas carols and hymns are one part of the holiday season that always lifts my spirits. It’s also nice that I’m not required to do anything to enjoy this lift…no decisions, no shopping, no baking, and no assemble necessary. All I have to do is listen and of course, sing along!

 

My favorite Christmas carol is “The First Noel.” I especially love the chorus. When I hear these words, I always think of a chorus of angels singing their glory to God.

 

(the ornament below is one from my childhood, dated 1961)

The first noel the angel did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

On a cold winter’s night that was so deep

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

 

Very little is actually none about the origin of this song. It’s believed to have been sung in France during the 15^th century and then brought to England before 1823. Noel is a French word meaning “birthday.”  Carols such as this were sung when the village gathered for singing and celebrating the bringing in of the Yule log. I thought it was very interesting that at this time carols were thought of as popular religious songs meant to be sung outside the church rather than within.

(these angels are also from my childhood)

 

Christmas music brings to me :

• the story of the birth of Jesus (Away In A Manger, O little Town Of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Oh, Holy Night)
• worship (O Come All Ye Faithful, Angels From The Realms Of Glory)
• joy (Joy To The World, Angels We Have Hear On High)
• hope (Let There Be Peace On Earth)
• decorating ideas (O Christmas Tree, The Holly And The Ivy)
• traditions of old (We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Deck The Halls) I'm thinking a yule log would be nice next year, but I don't think Mr. H will agree!!
• ideas for gift giving (The Twelve Days Of Christmas) Let me know what you want off this list!!
• dreams and wishes (I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas, Let It Snow, Let it Snow LET IT SNOW) emphasis mine, yes, please LET IT SNOW!
• childhood memories (Here Comes Santa Claus, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Jingle bells)

So crank up your radio. Listen to your Mp3 player, CD's, records, or what ever you have and enjoy this season of beautiful music. Oh, and don't forget to sing along!