Desert Island Videos - Favourite Christmas Hymn


Post a link to your favourite Christmas hymn and give your reasons for your choice. The one that receives the most upticks 👍 Jack will feature here. 

Until the vote is counted: 




Midnight, Christians, is the solemn hour,
When God as man descended unto us
To erase the stain of original sin
And to end the wrath of His Father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night that gives it a Saviour.
 
People, kneel down, await your deliverance.
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!
 
May the ardent light of our Faith
Guide us all to the cradle of the infant,
As in ancient times a brilliant star
Guided the Oriental kings there.
The King of Kings was born in a humble manger;
O mighty ones of today, proud of your greatness,
 
It is to your pride that God preaches.
Bow your heads before the Redeemer!
Bow your heads before the Redeemer!
 
The Redeemer has broken every bond
The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.
He sees a brother where there was only a slave,
Love unites those whom iron had chained.
Who will tell Him of our gratitude,
For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies.
 
People, stand up! Sing of your deliverance,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!

Comments

  1. https://youtu.be/ZlsJD8RlhbI

    Why this one? Based on Luke 2, for me the first verse encapsulates the Christmas message. Traditionally the Carol was usually but not necessarily a religious folk tune, frequently accompanied by a dance.

    Also frequently sung in pubs! Especially the non religious carols.

    This is closer to the original spirit of the Carol, then a Kings College version and I simply prefer it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 👍

      I much prefer a carol bashed out on a pipe and tabor than a fussy choral arrangement. Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band have a couple of albums of English folk carols played on traditional instruments, a lot of it's on YouTube. https://youtu.be/YahouGHUwA8

      Delete
    2. @Prof Not a singer I was expecting! Nice to see Ms Lennox again, though.

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    3. @ Lain

      I also have the Maddy Prior and the Carnival band A tapestry of carol's. Must be over 30 yes ago I first heard it. Loved it and it changed what I listened for in the way a carol was played.

      Ps is the link your offering for HJ's little competition?

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    4. @Prof

      That's a great album (came out in 1987, apparently). I came across their album Carols and Capers a few years ago while I was searching for something other than Carols from Kings, Carols from St. John's, Carols from Gloucester Cathedral etc. I think the 'earthy' and more raucous nature of the older carols fits with the incarnation, and you don't have to be a trained soprano to join in.

      I think HJ might disqualify my link, I think there's four carols in that clip!

      Delete
    5. @ Lain

      Jack will be keeping an eye on you!

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    6. @Lain

      1987! That's a shock, doesn't time fly.

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    7. @Jack

      And I shall be keeping my eye on all the yous!

      @Prof

      It does indeed. Although I was many minus years old in 1987...

      Delete
    8. I'm not going to say how old I was 😬

      Delete
  2. Since we seem to be going native, here's 'Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil'.
    An Irish Christmas carol of unclear origin that may date as far back as the 7th century.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEX9El7cI_E&ab_channel=Dan%C3%BAMusic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lovely performance. Would you be able to translate it?

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    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    4. I had a suspicion that this would happen 😂

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    5. @Lain

      It doesn't make it any better, so don't encourage him.

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    6. Jack need no encouragement!

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    7. Jack's been 'cancelled' ....

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    8. So Jack has cancelled all the Jacks who came out in support of Jack...

      I don't remember hitting the 'special mushrooms', but it certainly feels like I did!

      Delete
    9. @ Lain
      One Jack never knows what another one might do!

      Delete
  3. @ Lain

    I sing of a night in Bethlehem
    A night as bright as dawn
    I sing of that night in Bethlehem
    The night the Word was born
    The skies are glowing gaily
    The earth in white is dressed
    See Jesus in the cradle
    Drink deep in His mother's breast

    And there on a lonely hillside
    The shepherds bow down in fear
    When the heavens open brightly
    And God's message rings out so clear

    Glory now to the Father
    In all the heavens high
    And peace to His friends on earth below
    Is all the angels cry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @HJ

      Very nice and in the normal way of things I'd upvote it. But I see you have been abusing your senior position and upvoted yourself several times! At least happy Jackie hasn't voted yet. So I think I will decline an up vote at this stage, as you have overcompensated already

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  4. Have rediscovered how to embed links in blogger comments.

    The code is:
    {a href=http:\\www.madeupwebpage.com}Put your text here{/a}

    Just change the brackets for < and > respectively

    Danu-Don Oiche Ud i

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  5. Over here we have a LEGENDARY tradition of Cristmas carols, and I myself will be singing them around villages in return for CAKE on the evening of the 24th. Here, though, is a more professional interpretation: https://youtu.be/4ASOKJ6Hwp4

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 👍
      It's time you added your familiar avatar, Gadjo.

      Delete
    2. I have added it now but I don't think it's showing up here yet - let's see.

      Delete
    3. Wait, there it is - it seems to depend on what device I use.

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  6. My vote would be for a good, traditional version of Gaudete.

    I'd also like to share this Ukrainian Orthodox nativity chant In the Dark Night.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the chant, I have heard it before. So I'm going to uptick that 👍

      Delete
  7. Es ist ein Ros entsprungen....my choice for Christmas carol....

    https://youtu.be/xZ_WIZ29yys

    ReplyDelete
  8. @ Jack

    Unrelated, but I see that Mull Monastery are making videos again after an 18 month hiatus. This video has a helpful adventy message on struggling with habitual sin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "I have struggled I am struggling and I shall die struggling with the same question on my lips in my mind and in my heart and the way forward has been revealed to us all from the very beginning

      The Way Forward is to always place your trust not in yourself but in Christ himself. You have to believe that in Christ everyone is saved as long as we become one with him, or as long as we do all that is in our power that we should be one with him."


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  9. My gradual loss of hearing has reached a point at which I can scarcely tell one recording from another, but from memory I believe this is a good one. Adeste fideles, O Come All Ye Faithful, is usually known here as "the Portuguese hymn", from its country of origin.
    https://youtu.be/_z_bE6b-WiA

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  10. Does anyone have a clue which carol is in the lead?
    😕 🤔

    ReplyDelete
  11. me, due to my excellent taste 😜

    ReplyDelete
  12. Well, I can't believe no one has proposed this traditional Black Country carol yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Argh, even though I've always liked Slade, that lost any appeal decades ago.

      Delete
  13. Hey HJ when are you going to announce the winner?

    ReplyDelete
  14. @ Prof G
    Once someone tots the votes up! It looks like a tie between Cressie and Happy Jack.

    ReplyDelete

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