17 December 2008

For Philip

Philip suggested an excellent blog post query: What's your favorite Christmas carol? Have at it, folks.

I'll go first: Of the Father's Love Begotten!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mine is Joy to the World. The music and the message is such a stirring anthem. I look forward to it every year. Feels like we should be standing when we sing it!

Anonymous said...

Pastor, I found your favorite Christmas carol at a site that plays the music and provides all the verses at: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/f/ofthefat.htm

revmlk said...

"Let Our Gladness Have No End"

Elephantschild said...

"Jesus Christ the Apple Tree"

(Yeah, it's not in the hymnal. I don't care. I still love it.)

Weekend Fisher said...

Hm, it's a tie: Joy to the world, Angels we have heard on high, and What child is this?

Never heard of the apple tree one ...

Take care & God bless
Anne / WF

Jim Huffman said...

'Jesus Christ the Apple Tree'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm3fZDZxiko

WM Cwirla said...

Of the Father's Love Begotten - hands down favorite.

O Rejoice, Ye Christians Loudly (LSB #897) - a strong runner-up. It goes much better auf Deutsch and with the 12-fold Alleluia that got left out of LSB.

Rev. Steven T. Cholak said...

Once in Royal David's City - LSB 376

Rev. Jim Roemke said...

What Child is This (I cry every time I sing about nails and spears piercing Him through), also, on a slightly cheesier side, The Little Drummer Boy is also a big favorite.

Cheryl said...

Hey, I'm in good company! I have the same favorite as Pastors Cwirla & Weedon!!

Anonymous said...

"It Came upon a Midnight Clear." Don't know why; just always moves me.

Otherwise, I've always been partial to "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" & "From Heaven above to Earth I Come."

Anonymous said...

My apologies that I can't put just one:

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day"- God is not dead nor doth He sleep

"Away in a Manger"- I sing it every night to my sons as I put them to bed.

"Come your hearts and voices raising" LSB 375

"O Jesus Christ, thy manger is" LSB 372

"O Sing of Christ" LSB 362- A new one and I can't wait to sing it!

Sorry for not putting just one!

Jeremy

Anonymous said...

Many of my favorites have been mentioned (love the Apple Tree) but no one mentioned In dulci jubilo yet. I love how it points to the Cross and Resurrection. "Oh, that we were there" about does me in.

Anonymous said...

The Wexford Carol:

Good people all, this Christmas-time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending his beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas day;
In Bethlehem upon that morn
There was a blessed Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide
The noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass;
From every door repelled alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but an humble ox's stall.

There were three wise men from afar
Directed by a glorious star,
And on they wandered night and day
Until they came where Jesus lay,
And when they came unto that place
Where our beloved Messiah was,
They humbly cast them at his feet,
With gifts of gold and incense sweet.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God's angels did appear,
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
"Prepare and go", the angles said.
'To Bethlehem, be not afraid,
For there you'll find this happy morn,
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born.

With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God's angel had foretold,
They did our savior Christ behold.
Within a manger he was laid,
And by his side the virgin maid,
Attending on the Lord of life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMaubOI5flk

WM Cwirla said...

The Wexford Carol:

This is a great carol and worthy of all singing. Love the melody!

Rev. Allen Yount said...

I'm surprised that no one else has mentioned "Silent Night." Standing in front of a sanctuary illumined by candles while singing those well-known, beloved words along with the congregation - that always makes Christmas eve for me.
Another favorite of mine is "O Holy Night" - especially the second stanza.

Susan said...

Gerhardt's "All My Heart This Night Rejoices" (especially the stanzas that got left out of LSB) and Luther's "To Shepherds As They Watched By Night."

William Gleason said...

There are too many good ones to say one is my favorite. Not too long ago I discovered "Da Droben Vom Berge." Here is a link to some free holiday music that has that carol and some other beautiful, but lesser known ones. Enjoy.

Pastor G

http://www.rhapsody.com/molly-watson/o-holy-night

Maria said...

I'd have to say it's a tie between "What Child is This" and "O Holy Night"

Rev. James Leistico said...

This is question is almost as ridiculous as asking, "Which Sacrament means the most to you?" But since it was asked anyway - my favorite hymn is probably one that I just sang at the most recent church service, or heard most recently. In other words, it's constantly changing. Right at this moment, working on choosing hymns for the upcoming cycle of services through Epiphany, I'd have to say, "Now Sing We, Now Rejoice"... it's hard to beat a line like, "Come from on high to me, I cannot rise to Thee. Cheer my wearied spirit, O pure and holy Child."

And I also love "Of the Father's Love Begotten" - especially the version recorded by the Ft. Wayne Kantorei, with my classmate's solo, the tolling of the bell, and then the swelling of the organ. wow.