Christmas Carol Countdown | No.11 – Angels We Have Heard On High

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Published: Thursday, 15 December 2022 10:00

Today’s devotional is by Becky Watson

One thing I find very interesting about this hymn is how, while singing, we jump from being the watcher of the Christmas story to being the angels singing of Christ’s birth. We get to play a part in the Christmas story!

Originally a French carol - “Les Anges dans nos Campagnes” (‘The Angels in the Countryside’) - the carol tells of the shepherds being visited by angels. Most of us know the story; shepherds sat in the fields with their flocks, their duty to guide and protect their sheep. Then, suddenly, an angel appeared to them and told them of Christ’s birth. Luke writes, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’ ” - Luke 2:13-14 (ESV)

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.11 – Angels We Have Heard On High

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.12 – O Come All Ye Faithful

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Published: Wednesday, 14 December 2022 10:00

Today’s devotional is by Alison Kernohan 

My favourite Christmas carol is ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’. The wonderful melody and richness of the lyrics bring back such warm memories of singing it in church as a child and carol singing door-to-door.

The carol was written in the 18th century and is one of the most well-known and popular Christmas carols even to this day. When we sing carols year after year, it can be easy to become familiar with the lyrics, but if we take time to look more closely at the words we’re singing, we can discover great and powerful truths that inspire and encourage us to lift up our gaze and focus on God, His holiness and His sacrifice.

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.12 – O Come All Ye Faithful

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.14 – The First Noel

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Published: Monday, 12 December 2022 10:00

Today’s devotional is by Danny Roberts

‘The First Noel’ is one of the oldest Christmas hymns we sing today, originally dating back to the 15th century. The author of the carol is unknown as songs at the time were simply recited in oral form, not written down. Regrettably, this means that the names of the creators of many wonderful old songs and hymns have unfortunately been lost to us.

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.14 – The First Noel

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.13 – God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

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Published: Tuesday, 13 December 2022 14:28

Today’s devotional is by Rachel Dobson

In a very joyful and upbeat carol, which encapsulates the excitement and hope of the Christmas story, we are encouraged not to ‘dismay’ but to remember Christ our Saviour. It is a call which is as relevant today as it was when the carol was published in the 18th century, although earlier versions predate this. 

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.13 – God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.15 – We Three Kings

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Published: Sunday, 11 December 2022 10:00

Today’s devotional is by Alan Dourish

“We three kings of orient are, one on a bike and two in a car…” Okay, this isn’t the traditional opening line to this very well-known Christmas carol, but – like many of the other carols we have already touched upon in our countdown – the fact that it is adapted is testament to its popularity and endurance.

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.15 – We Three Kings

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  1. Christmas Carol Countdown | No.16 – Silent Night
  2. Christmas Carol Countdown | No.17 – Ding Dong, Merrily on High!
  3. Christmas Carol Countdown | No.18 – The Holly and the Ivy
  4. Christmas Carol Countdown | No.19 – While Shepherds Watched