Hello to all who have been reading A Map Through the Valley. I hope the posts so far have been an encouragement to you. During December I am going to take a break from regular posts. The blog will resume in January. Meanwhile, I have prepared a list of Christmas Carols for Advent that I hope will be a blessing to you during the Christmas Season.
ADVENT 2023 Gail K. Kachnycz
Christmas is a
difficult time for me. The darker days intensify the sense of being overwhelmed
by pressure to participate in traditions which can crowd the schedule. The
commercialization of the holiday is particularly stressful. I prefer more low
key celebrations.
In recent years I have looked for ways to
reduce the stress. One thing I enjoy about Christmas is the beautiful music and
beloved carols. Listed below are 22 Christmas Carols, arranged in groups that
relate to the four themes of Advent. They don’t match up perfectly to the themes,
or to the calendar days of Advent, but using the dates in December means this
list can be used any year, regardless of what day of the week Christmas Eve or
Christmas falls upon.
You can search
for the full carols, with all stanzas, which are rich in references to
scriptures which prophesy the coming of the Messiah or describe the events
surrounding His birth. Those who are particularly tech savvy will be able to
download and play the songs. You may also want to check out:
www.countryliving.com
“Our 27 Favorite Religious Christmas Songs, Carols, and Hymns.”
accessed 11/26/23
Theme #1: HOPE
12/03 That Beautiful Name
12/04 O Come, O Come Emmanuel**
12/05 Once in David’s Royal City
12/06 Angels from the Realms of Glory**
12/07 Go, Tell It on the Mountain!
Theme #2: PEACE
12/08 O Holy Night
12/09 O Little Town of Bethlehem**
12/10 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear***
12/11What Child Is This?
12/12 Away in a Manger
Theme #3 JOY
12/13 God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
12/14 O Come, All Ye Faithful
12/15 Hark, the Herald Angels Sing***
12/16 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
12/17 Joy to the World!***
12/18 Children, Go Where I send Thee
Theme #4 LOVE
12/19 We Three Kings
12/20 The First Noel
12/21 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks**
12/22 Angels We Have Heard on High
12/23 Silent Night, Holy Night**
** The story behind this Carol is described in the book
101 Hymn Stories, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel
Publications Copyright 1982, 2012
*** The story behind this Carol is described in the book
101 More Hymn Stories, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications Copyright 1985, 2013
