Christmas Hymns

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

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Day 25/Track 25

Author: Nahum Tate, 1700

Tune: Winchester Old, George Kirbye and Christmas, George Handel

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

The author, Tate, was a poet and a writer who mostly adapted other men’s work. I read articles that described him as,“lacking great talent” and not “fully in step with the intellectual life of his times”. I’m not sure why, but I feel compelled to defend him and point out his achievements. A hymn he wrote 300 years ago is still in the air today. I think that is very noteworthy.

A fitting hymn to land on my 25th day, and on Christmas Day. The last verse is from Luke 2:14, when the angel armies of heaven proclaim this blessing: “All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace; to those on whom his favor rests goodwill shall never cease”.

Amen!

We Three Kings

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Day 23/Track 23, We Three Kings

Author: John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1857

This hymn was written for a Christmas pageant in New York City. It was the first Christmas Carol written in America to become widely popular. He also wrote both the lyrics and the music, which was uncommon for his time.

The second verse proclaims Jesus as the “King forever, ceasing never.” A message made even more meaningful when proclaimed by three kings.

This song has a happy and welcoming sound and is one that my family all knows.

Do you smile when you sing this song?

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

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Day 22/Track 22 Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

Author: Emily Steele Elliot, 1864

Scripture: Luke 2:7

Tune: Margaret, Timothy Richard Matthews

Emily Elliot is the first woman composer in my 25 day journey of Christmas Hymns. She wrote more than 140 hymns for choirs and children, in Brighton, England. She wrote this hymn for the children in her father’s parish to perform. Written with the desire that the children would know that Jesus loved them and that God’s love and the hope of heaven promised better times ahead. This is a timeless message we all need to hear.

The last refrain gives us all hope in the second-coming.

And my heart shall rejoice , Lord Jesus! When Thou comest and callest for me.”

I am familiar with the refrain of this song, “Come to my heart, Lord Jesus! There is room in my heart for Thee.”

Are you familiar with this hymn?

The First Noel

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Day 21/Track 21

Author: Unknown, 1838

Tune: The First Nowell

Scripture: Luke 2, Matthew 2

This familiar and popular hymn brings the manger scene to life as the shepherds and wisemen follow a star that leads them to Bethlehem and the manger. They kneel to worship the newborn King of Israel.

This is one of the hymns that brings back several memories of Christmas. Christmas pageants, carolling from door to door and the Yule Log programm that plays Christmas songs while a fire burns in fireplace for 24 hours, starting Christmas Eve. 

Doyou have a favorite memory of this song?

The Birthday of a King

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Day 20/Track 20. The Birthday of a King

Author and composer: William Harold Neidlinger

The Birthday of a King was Neidlinger’s best known song, written early in his life while still a student. He went on to write many more songs and was a well-known vocal teacher. The Birthday of a King was made famous by Judy Garland, who recorded it in 1941.

Today, If you received an invitation to a King’s birthday, you would no doubt imagine that it would be an elaborate affair. This King’s birthday was more humble than we could imagine and attended by a host of angels, celebrating his birth. Elaborate in a heavenly way. 

Have you heard this hymn?

Sing We Now of Christmas

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Day 19/Track 19.  Sing We Now of Christmas

Author:  unknown.  A traditional French carol dating back to the 15th century.

Tune:  Noel Nouvelet

This hymn celebrates Christmas and its importance to our lives.  “Hear our grateful praises to the babe so dear”.  The lyrics cover the full manger scene with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the kings and baby Jesus.  The last line declares, “there was ne’er a place on earth so like paradise”.

I am familiar with the tune of this hymn but don’t recall singing this or hearing this at a church service.  It is beautiful. I have enjoyed listening to several recordings on youtube, many of which are grand choir performances.  I recommend a journey down the youtube rabbit trail to listen to some of these performances.

Do you sing this song of celebration at Christmas?

Silent Night

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Day 18/Track 18,  Silent Night

Author:  Joseph Mohr, 1818

Tune:  Franz Xaver Gruber

Silent Night was first performed on Christmas Eve in a small church in Austria.  The composer, Gruber, composed the tune that same day.  The song soon spread to other churches and was picked up by two travelling families of folk singers.  By 1839, the song had made it to New York City.  And as we know, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.  Today, Silent Night is the world’s most recorded Christmas song, with more than 137,000 known recordings.

I have many memories of this song at Christmas Eve services.  Often song with candlelight.  In the good old days, we each held a light candle as we sang together.  Today, we use battery operated candles or glow sticks.  One year, we were all asked to turn our phone’s flashlights on.  This song is a favorite of mine and one that even my sons will sing. 

Do you use candles during this song at your Christmas Eve service?

O Come Little Children

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Day 17, Track 17, O Come Little Children

Author: Christoph von Schmid, 1798

Tune: Johann Abraham Peter Schulz

O Come Little Children is a german Christmas carol adapted from a poem written by a Catholic priest in 1798. The poem was titled, ‘The children at the manger”. The poem was translated into a song in 1837.

Today was the first day I’ve heard this song, however, the melody is somewhat familiar. The lyrics made me think of, Mark 10:15, “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter in.”

Are you familiar with this hymn?

O Little Town of Bethlehem

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Day 16/Track 16. O Little Town of Bethlehem

Author: Phillips Brooks

Tune: St. Louis

Brooks, a Harvard graduate and Bishop of Massachusetts, wrote this song for his Sunday School in 1868. This song is well known in both the United States and The United Kingdom, but with different tunes. In the U.S. we hear it with “St. Louis” and in the U.K. It’s heard with “Forest Green” as the tune.

The lyrics speak about the quiet entry of Jesus, born in a town that was unaware of his birth and it’s transforming power. The same is true today as we each have neighbors who are unaware of the transformational power that is within their reach. The lyrics in the third verse acknowledge Jesus’s somewhat silent presence around us. It also gives a nod to his second-coming, which will also happen while some are unaware.

How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of His heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive Him still,
the dear Christ enters in.

Have you ever thought about how quiet Jesus is?

O Holy Night

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Day 15/Track 15 O Holy Night

Author: Placide Cappeau, 1843

Tune: Cantique De Noel

Scripture:

O Holy Night came from a poem , written in 1843. The poem was commissioned by a parish priest to celebrate the renovation of the church’s organ. Poet, Cappeau, wrote a poem, for the celebration that went on to inspire a song that has touched countless lives.

I’m imagining the poet, as he struggled to find just the right words to convey what his heart was trying to express. He persevered and deliver a poem aimed to celebrate a moment at his church. He couldn’t have known the impact his poem would have on the world. Divine inspiration, like a kind word delivered with love, can create beauty. There are moments in this song that always bring tears to my eyes.

How would you describe the impact this song has on your heart?

O Come, All Ye Faithful

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Day 13, Track 13: O Come, All Ye Faithful

Author:John Francis Wade, 1751

Tune: Adeste Fideles

Scripture References: Luke 2:4-7, 13-14. John 1:14

This hymn is attributed to John Wade, because his name was on the first printed version in 1751. It is believed to have been created much earlier, but by who? In the 13th century by St. Bonaventure? In the 17th century by King John IV of Portugal? Or maybe the Cistercian monks? The first printed version had four verses, over time four more have been added. The tune’s authorship is similarly unclear. Irregardless of its’ authorship, this beloved hymn has inspired many writers over the years.

I remember the choir at St. Mark’s Church, in their blue robes, walking into the Sanctuary while singing this song. One row would walk down the center aisle, while the other two rows came down each side. Sometimes they’d stay in the aisles until the hymn was complete before going their chairs. The church we attend now has a worship band rather than a choir. They are wonderful, but it’s not the same grand experience.

Does your church have a choir?

Joy to the World

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Day 12/Track 12: Joy to the World

Author: Isaac Watts, 1719

Tune: Antioch, George F. Handel

Scripture: Psalm 98

Unlike most Christmas hymns, Joy to the World, is less about the birth of Jesus and more about his second-coming. The author, Watts, uses the wisdom of the New Testament to interpret psalm 98.

Psalm 98:1-4;
1. Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2. The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3. He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
4. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;

I haven’t thought of this song in light of the second-coming before. It has taken on new depth for me and sparks more urgency to celebrate.

Singing this hymn unlocks memories of standing in church with family, the little kids squirming while we wrestle their coats on or off. It also carries a feeling of celebration and fun as we all try to hit the high notes. I’m not surprised that it is the most published hymn in North America.

Do you like to sing this hymn?

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

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Day 11/ Track 11: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Author: Edmund Sears, 1849

Tune: “Carol” Richard Willis

Scripture: Luke 2:14

Unlike many Christmas hymns, this hymn’s setting is current to the author. Written at the time of the Mexican-American war, Sears reflects on the birth of Jesus, bringing the celebration and hope of that moment into the despair of the times. The Methodist and Lutheran hymnals omit verse 3, which focusses on the times that Sears laments in, a time like today.

But with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love-song which they bring; –
Oh hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing!

We are again reminded to see beyond the current heaviness of our world and remember the hope and presence of Jesus, with us today.

Can you hear the angels sing?

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

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Day 10, Track 10: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Author: Original author is unknown, may date back to the 1200’s, polish translation attributed to Piotr Skarga, 1500’s. English translation by Edith Margaret Gallibrand Reed, 1920.

Tune: resembles Mazurka

Scriptural reference: Luke 2:7

There is some mystery around this hymn’s origin. The lyrics focus on the birth of Jesus and the manger scene. Historically a traditional Polish Christmas carol, its rhythm is similar to a Polish folk dance.

The rhymes are tight and concise, reminding me of a rap song. I would have loved to share this with my nephew, Jon. to see what he could make of it. It would have been fun to hear what he came up with. Maybe he’s working on it in heaven as I type this. I like the thought of that.

This is another new hymn for me. Is this familiar to you?