Christmas Hymns: Once in Royal David’s City

I have been reviewing some modern worship songs, but I’ve taken a break to explore some Advent and Christmas hymns. 😀. Today, I’ve chosen Once in Royal David’s City. I watch Carols from King’s every Christmas Eve – or listen to it on BBC radio. This hymn has opened it since since 1919. The service … Continue reading Christmas Hymns: Once in Royal David’s City

Christmas Hymns: Away in a Manger

I have been reviewing some modern worship songs, but I’ve taken a break to explore some Advent and Christmas hymns. 😀. Today, I’ve chosen Away in a Manger. It’s not among my favourites, but it’s one of the carols that we all learned as kids in Ireland. It was first published in the 1880s, often … Continue reading Christmas Hymns: Away in a Manger

Christmas Hymns: Good Christian Men, Rejoice

I have been reviewing some modern worship songs, but I’ve taken a break to explore some Advent and Christmas hymns. 😀. Today, I’ve chosen Good Christian Men, Rejoice. “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” is a medieval Christmas carol rooted in both Latin and German traditions, later translated into English in the 19th century. I first heard … Continue reading Christmas Hymns: Good Christian Men, Rejoice

Christmas Hymns: See Amid the Winter’s Snow

I have been reviewing some modern worship songs, but I’ve taken a break to explore some Advent and Christmas hymns. 😀. Today, I’ve chosen the Victorian hymn See Amid the Winter’s Snow: It’s funny that snow is such a dominant theme, given that we don’t know the time of year in which Jesus was born. … Continue reading Christmas Hymns: See Amid the Winter’s Snow

Christmas Hymns: Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

I have been reviewing some modern worship songs, but I’ve taken a break to explore some Advent and Christmas hymns. 😀. Today, I’ve chosen Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne: I think that I first heard this hymn at the YMCA in Cork at Christmas 1981, sung by a Salvation Army lady. And that Christmas, I … Continue reading Christmas Hymns: Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

Christmas Hymns: In the Bleak Midwinter

I have been reviewing some modern worship songs, but I’ve taken a break to explore some Advent and Christmas hymns. 😀. Today, I’ve chosen In the Bleak Midwinter: It’s actually a poem by Christina Rossetti, first published in 1872, later set to music by Gustav Holst and Harold Darke, and is now one of the … Continue reading Christmas Hymns: In the Bleak Midwinter

Christmas Hymns: Joy to the World

I have been reviewing some modern worship songs, but I’ve taken a break to explore some Advent and Christmas hymns. I have listed some of the Advent hymns that I’m familiar with, but perhaps it’s time to move on to Christmas hymns 😀. Let’s begin with Joy to the World: Interestingly, this is more of … Continue reading Christmas Hymns: Joy to the World

Advent: On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

Because Christmas is coming, I’ve decided to take a break from my daily review of modern worship songs and focus on Christmas hymns for a month. I’ve started with Advent. Advent hymns emphasize waiting, longing, and preparation, while Christmas hymns celebrate fulfilment, joy, and Christ’s birth. Today’s hymn is On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry. … Continue reading Advent: On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

Advent: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Because Christmas is coming, I’ve decided to take a break from my daily review of modern worship songs and focus on Christmas hymns for a month. I’ve started with Advent. Advent hymns emphasize waiting, longing, and preparation, while Christmas hymns celebrate fulfilment, joy, and Christ’s birth. Today’s hymn is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel I … Continue reading Advent: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Advent: Long Ago, Prophets Knew

Because Christmas is coming, I’ve decided to take a break from my daily review of modern worship songs and focus on Christmas hymns for a month. I’ve started with Advent. Advent hymns emphasize waiting, longing, and preparation, while Christmas hymns celebrate fulfilment, joy, and Christ’s birth. Today’s hymn is Long Ago, Prophets Knew The lyrics … Continue reading Advent: Long Ago, Prophets Knew