The Music of Christmas! Joyeux Noël!

When one says the words "Christmas music", a few reactions can ensue. Some people roll their eyes and say that if they hear Mariah Carey once more, they'll cancel Christmas. Other people get giddy and start singing carols.  I, for one, am in between those two various extremes. I generally enjoy the music of Christmas.  For me, as a Christian, Christmas is a huge joyful celebration because God has loved us so much that He would send His son to deliver us from sin and bondage.  Therefore, I'd like to share some of the music that speaks to my heart at this time of the year.

Johann Sebastian Bach's amazing Christmas Oratorio was written for performance during the Christmas season in 1734.  From the beginning chorus, we hear brass instruments and an exuberant choir sing out: "Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage", which means "Make a Joyful Noise to Praise the Days!" The way in which Bach captures the joy of the birth of Jesus is phenomenal. The strings have quick, exciting passages and the brass instruments punctuate this opening section signalling royalty and an important event.

Another gem from the Baroque that is often heard during Advent and Christmas is from G.F. Handel's famous oratorio, The Messiah.  The first section of this masterwork revolves around Old Testament prophecies that are seen by Christians as pointing to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.  Thus, this section is known as the Advent section.  My absolute favourite chorus is "For Unto Us a Child is Born", the text of which is from Isaiah 9:6.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

One of my favourite classical Christmas compositions is Archangello Corelli's Christmas Concerto, op. 6, no. 8 in g minor.  There is nothing explicitly "Christmas" about this piece other than the composer indicated that it was written for the evening of Christmas, in 1690! I find that the fast movements, if one listens carefully, give a sense of winter approaching. The second movement, a truly gorgeous Adagio in E-flat Major, gives the sense that one is watching a quiet town that has finally fallen asleep on Christmas Eve and waits patiently for the joy in the morning.

Well, let's fast forward three centuries to the 2000s, for a modern, celtic rock take on a great old carol: Adeste Fideles or "O Come All Ye Faithful." At Christmas, Christians come together and sing songs in adoration. There is much to adore about this baby born in a manger - a humble King of Kings.

I wish all of you a very joyful and Merry Christmas. We have so much to rejoice over at this time of year as God's son laid down His crown and came to be our Emmanuel, God with us. May you all have health and blessings in the New Year!

Joyeux Noël! Feliz Navidad! Frohe Weihnachten!