The Joys of Christmas Music

 Christmas Day is now over and the wrapping paper has been gathered up and put out in the trash – or recycling – I’m not sure if glossy wrapping paper is recyclable but I am giving it the benefit of the doubt.  It is, however, still Christmas.  The Twelve Days of Christmas have just really begun and will culminate on Epiphany with the celebration of the arrival of the tardy Wise Men.  Perhaps they were wise because they had the patience to follow the star of Bethlehem and not rush the journey.

I am reflecting on the joys of Christmas and one of the greatest joys for me is the music.  I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on my favourite Christmas Carols and Christmas songs.  So here they are with links to versions that, I believe,  do them justice:

1.       Low How a Rose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlnGvyZwKzQ

2.       In the Bleak Mid-Winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE0aIQp9V4s

3.       What Child is This https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTyuW1Q2oxU

4.       The Huron Carol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_cmnxep67k

5.       I Wonder as I Wander https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIZjyf1jhKE

6.       O Little Town of Bethlehem  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PRQsiPSq64

7.       Infant Holy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q_nyGKcwP4

8.       The Christmas Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKhRnZZ0cJI

9.       Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44bL90HP0Ys

10.   It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bhsXykXxfg

11.   Joy to the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r3VVMUhAxU

12.   We Three Kings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg46Ui-adGU

There you are – twelve carols and songs for the Twelve Days of Christmas.   I started with one of the older ones which was first printed in 1599 and ended with We Three Kings which is celebrated on Epiphany with sacred and secular stops on the way.

There are so many wonderful ones to choose from that I could have selected one hundred and twelve or two hundred and twelve and another time I would probably have selected some different one.   I am sure you each have a list of your own you could put together. 

May your journey be blessed this Christmas Season.