By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer
Christmas carols – I love them. That’s because I don’t sing them year-round or even in November. I wait until December and then savor them at church, in my home, and in the car on the radio.
Many of the carols have roots in very old traditions, and their background stories are interesting to read. But it’s the words, the phrases that reach down into my heart.
One of my favorite carols is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (Latin hymn, 12th century). I sang it as a child, in high school choirs, at church, and at home by myself – just me and my piano.
The chorus of this song captures my heart as it shifts from minor chords of mourning into major chords of joy and declaration:
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!”
Some hymns tell stories, recounting biblical accounts of the birth of Christ, such as “The First Noel” (1833) and “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (1849).
“Joy to the World” declares the good news that “the Lord is come” (1719).
Another of my favorites, “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” calls us to adore (worship and praise) Christ the Lord.
And the classic “O Holy Night” (1800s) reminds us that “He knows our need – to our weakness is no stranger.” It also encourages us to “praise His name forever! His power and glory ever more proclaim!”
I’d love to hear what your favorite Christmas Carol is – there are so many. Include a line or phrase from the song that speaks to your heart.
Comment below with your answer, and I will add your name to a random drawing for an e-book copy of The Snowbound Bride.
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I will sing to the LORD as long as I live.
I will praise my God to my last breath!
Psalm 104:33
The dog clamped upon the handle of Ara’s carpetbag and dragged it to the center of the wagon bed, sitting protectively beside it.
“Well, I never!” Narrowing her eyes, Ara drew herself up. “I’ll not be had by a dog.”
A slight woof puffed from the pointed snout.
“We’ll just see about that.” She marched around to the wheel, yanked her skirts above her knees, and climbed the spokes. The dog looked away as if scandalized.
Ara stepped into the wagon bed and froze as mangled strains of a Christmas carol rose from the alley, coming her way. She glared at the dog, who again seized the handle in its jaws. With no other recourse but to leave her belongings and risk running into the man who was following her, she dove to the rough boards, flattened against the outer edge, and jerked a loose tarp over her feet and head.
“God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay—”
She clapped her hands over her ears. Dismay, indeed. Have mercy!
The dog howled then shook the wagon as it bounded to the edge.
“That bad, ol’ boy? I don’t sing any worse than you.”
A muffled woof and exuberant wiggling indicated its master had returned. A decided tilt as the man climbed to the seat threatened to roll Ara like a Yule log from her hiding place. Whoever he was, he was either rotund or robust. At least he wasn’t the man in the brown bowler.
With a light slap and a hearty “giddyap, ol’ girl,” the mare took to the road. Ara sucked in a dusty breath. Should she rise and call out? Demand the driver take her to the hotel—where there may be no rooms? What if the stranger was watching?
With a drawn-out groan, the dog settled its warm body against her.
O Lord, what had she gotten herself into? ~The Snowbound Bride
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Thank you for another great blog, Davalynn.
I love Christmas carols. They’re one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season. The following lines from The Little Drummer Boy I think are so sweet:
I played my drum for Him…
I played my best for Him…
Then He smiled at me…
Me and my drum.
Oh yes, Sharon. That’s a heart-tugger line.
My favorite carol is Mary Did You Know?
This sounds like a fun book.
I love this cover.
Thank you, Lori. I love that song too!
The First Noel is my favorite Christmas Carol. The angels proclaiming Jesus birth, wow if I ever heard an Angel tell me something I would be in awe!
Except there are so many Carols, if I mentioned all the ones I love I be writing a book! Lol
Carol – I know what you mean!
O Holy Night has always been my favorite, and became more important to me when my hubby would sing it at church. The line, “it is the night of our dear Saviors birth” is the line that means the most to me. The hope and salvation of our world has just arrived! Merry Christmas and thank you for all of your wonderful stories!
Thank you, Jan. A powerful song.
I LOVE Christmas music! I start listening to it in November. It makes me happy. I will have to say my very favorite Christmas carol is the First Noel. I can imagine in my head the sky bursting forth with angels singing and proclaiming to the shepherds. It is a happy song, but it also tells a great story. Thank you for your story and the information about each of the carols. It was very interesting!
Thank you, Tammy. Merry Christmas!
Silent Night is my absolute favorite.
Good one, David.
Carol of the Bells is my most favorite Christmas carol. I love that there are a million different versions of it yet each version speaks to my heart.
Oh yes, I love that song, Sally.
O Holy Night is my favorite. I love all of the carol. Maybe the part that stands out the most is “fall on your knees” from the first chorus and “Christ is the Lord” from the second chorus.
A powerful song, Pam.