At my local fruit shop this morning, Winter Wonderland was playing through the sound system. It’s a popular festive song, but it doesn’t conjure up Christmassy feelings for me. I live in Australia where Christmas is in the middle of summer. The temperatures are usually in the low to mid 30s Celsius (i.e., about 86-95 Fahrenheit). Trust me! Frosty the Snowman will not survive Christmas lunch, let alone a rousing game of beach cricket.
So what kinds of Christmas songs do mean something to me? There were lots of choices.
I could have picked Aussie Jingle Bells, where the one-horse open sleigh is replaced by a rusty Holden ute. Great for a sing-a-long at your work Christmas party. In fact, I think that’s where I first heard it.
I’m quite partial to Enya’s Irish version of Silent Night, though it should come with a warning that says, ‘Do not drive a motor vehicle or operate heavy machinery while listening to this song’. Mellow to the max!
Her sister Moya Brennan from Clannad has a brilliant version of Carol of the Bells. It starts very quietly (almost silent for a few bars), and then builds with beautiful harmonies and orchestrations. If you want a good laugh, you can’t go past the Muppet version of the same song. Never fails to crack me up.
But as good as those songs are, here are three more that have a special place in my heart.
#3 Away in a Manger
My parents sent me to Sunday school when I was three years old, and Mum tells me that I was quite the showstopper. The pastor got all of the children to come to the front and sing Away in a Manger at Christmas. I must have been about four at the time, so I was in the front row with the other little kids.
The music wafted in as if by magic. (It turns out there was an organist in the loft.) I sang the first verse with gusto. When the second verse started, I again sang the first verse with gusto. The time came for the third verse, and you guessed it! I belted out the first verse again, completely oblivious to the fact that there were more lyrics. (If you’re like me and thought there was only one verse, you can find the lyrics here). The star over the stable where Jesus was born wasn’t the only star that night!
#2 Night of Silence
The same songs tend to pop up on a lot of Christmas albums, so last year, I decided to make my own Christmas playlist on Spotify with some lesser known songs. In the process of doing that, I came across Night of Silence, with words by Amy Hawkins and music by Naomi LaViolette.
I think there are other songs with the same title, but if you click here and scroll down a little, you’ll see the lyrics of the one I mean. While Christmas is often seen as a time for family and friends to get together, it’s not a happy season for everyone. Some people are on their own or going through difficult circumstances.
This film clip of the song brings that sense of isolation into focus. Naomi LaViolette recorded it at home during one of the COVID-19 lockdowns. The two friends you can see in the corner of the screen also recorded their sections from their own homes. Although the worst of the pandemic seems to have passed, many in our communities are still alone this Christmas.
Yet in spite of loneliness, bereavement, estrangement or any other challenges we may face, the song is also filled with hope. Jesus is right there walking with us and we can experience His love, peace and grace no matter what we’re going through.
#1 Mary, Did You Know?
This song, written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, looks at Mary’s perspective and tries to imagine what she may have been thinking before, during and after that first Christmas. You can find a copy of the words here, along with some of the background to the song.
Many artists have recorded it, but this film clip by the One Voice Children’s Choir is definitely worth a look.
Mary had already received prophecies about her baby boy, so she would have known some of the things posed in the lyrics. However, I like the fact that it links the Christmas story to what happened later. We’re used to seeing baby Jesus in a manger at Christmastime, the crucified Jesus on Good Friday and the resurrected Jesus on Easter Sunday, but they’re all one and the same. As the lyrics point out, the baby that Mary delivered would soon become the deliverer or Saviour of the world. When she kissed her baby’s face, she was actually kissing ‘the face of God’.
As you celebrate Christmas this year, I pray you’ll consider it’s true meaning and that the peace foretold by the angels on that first Christmas will pervade your heart and fill you with wonder. Joy to the world indeed, for the Saviour has come.
What Christmas songs have a special meaning or memory for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Synchro Blog Links
This post is part of a synchro blog with some of my friends. If you’d like to read some other thoughts on Christmas, you can find their posts at the following links:
Christmas Reminds Us that Change is Possible by Susan Barnes
Because We Know by Dienece Darling
Karen Brough also has two posts as part of her Christmas series:
Picture Credits
All images from Pixabay. Featured photo by Gustavorezende. Nativity cartoon by jeffjacobs1990. Silhouette of woman by StockSnap. Photo of Jesus carrying the cross by EmmanuelMendez.
6 Responses
I also really like, Mary Did You Know? I found it gave me a different, more insightful perspective on Mary and the challenges she faced.
Yes, it does bring a new perspective. I often like to think about Biblical characters from their point of view. I’ve written a lot of poetry that way. It can bring some different insights. Thanks for commenting.
I love “Mary, Did You Know”! I hadn’t heard of the Night of Silence. Thank you for sharing. I loved all the songs and stories you shared.
Thanks Dienece. It was an interesting exercise last year to look for some lesser known Christmas songs. I found some gems. Thanks for commenting.
Thank you Nola! I will have to check out a couple of these, I’d not heard of the ‘Night of Silence,’ before. Bless you for sharing these nuggets with us.
Thanks Karen. It was an interesting exercise to look for lesser known songs. I mainly like folkie or Celtic music, so I was searching in those areas and found a few that I really liked. I love a lot of the traditional Christmas carols, but it’s good to find some new ones. Thanks for commenting.