Christmas Break

Saturday, December 2, 2023

 

Photo: Christmas Cactus by Gail K. Kachnycz November 2023

     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 

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