I thoroughly enjoy Christmas music; “Jingle Bell Rock” by our own Brenda Lee (from Conyers, GA), “White Christmas” with Bing Crosby, “We need a Little Christmas,” The New Christy Minstrels, “Silent Night,” or “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” When Christmas music begins on radio, I tune in; satellite radio is better, in that it is available anywhere. Some people object to Christmas music being broadcast before December 1. I can understand—when your workplace plays the same loop 24/7 for two months straight, it gorges. But I do like to hear Christmas music, the old and the new.
Christmas music made its entrance long before ubiquitous streaming and Mall Music assaulted our ears; there wasn’t as much variety or rapid spread, but it made its impact. I don’t know of a collection of Christmas carols, or songbook that does not include “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” written by hymnist, Charles Wesley. (He also wrote “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”—though not as popular). It is said that he wrote over 650 hymns. More than fifty of them are in the current United Methodist Hymnal (1988).
Charles Wesley’s birthday is one week before Christmas (December 18). He had a passion for the Church and Jesus hymns; maybe in the process he decided to create a Christmas Carol. Could it be that “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is the result? Whatever his motivation, the hymn is a classic.
Unlike much of the contemporary “Christmas” music we hear, the hymns of Charles Wesley have joy—and substance. Apparently he wrote hymns constantly— nor was he glib or glitzy. His hymns invited a sense of the wholeness of the Christ he knew, loved, and desired to introduce to people of every walk of life.
Typical of the Wesley brothers, the lyrics are packed with solid theology, undergirding the power and impact of what Christmas is all about. John, Charles’ brother, wrote some hymns as well as preaching theologically sound sermons. Charles’ hymns were long—most of them too long for most hymnals to include in print. Listen to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” There you find the joy and essence of the Incarnation.
For The Wesleys, Christmas is the Incarnation—the birth of Jesus, (not the birthday of Jesus—which blurs the impact of Christ being “born in our hearts”). Scripture has abundant references to God’s desire to make a home in our hearts. Another carol by Wesley, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” has abundant references to —living in our hearts, which amplifies God’s desire to make a home in our hearts.
Experts say what physical activity can do for your body, music may do for your brain. In fact, listening to music can keep your brain engaged as you age and provides a total brain workout. Any music lover can tell you that music can help you recall emotions from other times in life. It turns out that the power of music, found to bring back powerful memories, has a firm foundation in science…( Feb 20, 2019 | Tips For Seniors). This reminder is good news—-especially in these days of Advent, and other preparations for Christmas. So. Put on a CD or mp3, or the playlist you created and enjoy Christmas music. As Uncle Frank used to say, “It will do you good, and help you too!” …and here’s one of my favorite fun, animated Christmas songs; click and play!
White Christmas; with Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters
©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022
Our pastor, Emily Penfield, has been preaching on a Christmas hymn each Sunday in Advent,, with a “Christmas Trivia” question in the bulletin. Charles Wesley’s original first line for “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” was “Hark, How All The Welkin Rings.”
What is a welkin?? Now you have a word to look up in the dictionary. (Or Google it if you are in a hurry!
Great post, Willis! I wonder what Bing Crosby would say about the cartoon version. But I love hearing it, as well as seeing Santa and the reindeer cavort around.