Christmas Carol Countdown | No. 20 – It Came upon a Midnight Clear

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Published: Tuesday, 06 December 2022 10:00

Today’s devotional is by Becky Watson

“Song lyrics are fascinating as you can tell a lot about the writer and their surroundings. ‘It Came upon a Midnight Clear’ has a fascinating story, and one that is, in fact, very appropriate for today.

The carol was written in 1849 by Edmund Hamilton Sears, a minister from Massachusetts. He penned it as he recovered from a bad illness, during which he reportedly had a breakdown. Like today, there was a lot of political and economic unrest at the time. The US was reeling in the aftermath of the Mexican War; there were rumblings of revolutions across Europe; and the issue of slavery was beginning to be a burning topic across the states. 

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No. 20 – It Came upon a Midnight Clear

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.21 – The Little Drummer Boy

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Published: Monday, 05 December 2022 10:00

Today’s devotional is by Lucy McAllister

“Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum!” This line has become synonymous with the Christmas season as part of the beloved carol 'The Little Drummer Boy’. The lyrics of the song are written in the first person, and the speaker is a little drummer boy at the manger scene who had nothing to give baby Jesus but his drum solo. The song is sweet, reverent, and imaginative.

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.21 – The Little Drummer Boy

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.23 – Good King Wenceslas

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Published: Saturday, 03 December 2022 09:00

Today’s devotional was written by Amy Johnston

“While it’s not a carol commonly played often anymore, and it is far from being a chart-topper or featuring on a ‘Now That’s What I call Christmas’ album, I am of the opinion that ‘Good King Wenceslas’ is highly underrated. I have always been fond of songs that have stories and legends woven into their lyrics, which is exactly what Good King Wenceslas possesses.

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.23 – Good King Wenceslas

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.22 – Away in a Manger

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Published: Sunday, 04 December 2022 09:00

Today’s devotional was written by Lorna Wilkinson

“One night, shepherds at Bethlehem had an amazing birth announcement from heaven that far surpasses any social media post! The angel said, ‘“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12, ESV)

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.22 – Away in a Manger

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.24 – I Saw Three Ships

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Published: Friday, 02 December 2022 11:33

Today’s devotional was written by Becky Watson

“Much speculation surrounds this popular carol. To be honest, I never gave it much thought. It was one of the tracks on my mum’s CD, ‘Now That’s What I Call Christmas’, that we would sing along to while decorating the house for Christmas each year. My sister and I would try to reach the same pitch as the chapel choir did when they recorded it - be glad your ears weren’t subject to that!

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.24 – I Saw Three Ships

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