Silent Night
O Holy Night
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Jingle Bells
Silver Bells
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
and Frosty the Snowman
White Christmas
and Handel’s great Hallelujah Chorus lifting spirits to the reaches
of the Heavenly realm.
Each song so familiar at Christmas; on the radio, television specials, in shopping malls, stores, churches. Universal and special to the holiday season. Songs that signal that special time when people everywhere promote fellowship and good cheer. Preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
The earliest were written as hymns. Songs of prayer and praise. Many recognize the first Christmas carol to be Angels Hymn dating back
to 129 AD, while others attribute St. Hilary of Poitiers composing the first Christmas carol Jesus, Refulsit Omnium (Latin) Jesus Light of All Nations in the 4th century.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is mentioned in Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is the best selling single of all time (according to the Guinness Book of World Records), and Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas is You is the most played Christmas song. I like Christmas music. I listen to the Holiday channel whenever in my car, and Christmas albums (Andy Williams and Amy Grant) on the turntable at home. I play Christmas songs on the piano, and watch my three favorite Christmas movie musicals, Going My Way, White Christmas and Meet Me in St. Louis over and over. I’m sure I’ve seen Meet Me in St. Louis over 100 times!
The great classic song, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas with its lilting melody and meaningful lyrics has become a Christmas standard -
Faithful friends who were dear to us will be near to us once more. Someday soon we all will be together if the fates allow. Until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow
When we’re missing our loved ones not near, it does seem
like we’re muddling through. Without them. Waiting. Wanting
them here. We remember those happy days shared. The laughter
and fun. The warmth and love.
It seemed like it would last forever.
Those days of yore when
faithful friends gather together once more.
Then it comes to me.
It’s not just days of yore, but it’s today and next year and year after year. Family and friends will forever gather together.
Heartfelt and true. Throughout time. New stories told.
And always there will be the sweet memory of loved
ones so dear…..
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
