Singing through the Hymnal: week 52

   We have come to week 52 of our singing, and we will close out Christmas day with a few of my favorite carols. I will sneak in a few hymns for the end of the year next Sunday.

    Joy to the World

         Text: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

•    Watts was never satisfied with the congregational singing in churches - so he tried to write songs with great joy and fervency. 
•    Based on Psalm 98:4-9
•    Although this is one of the most well-known Christmas carols, it is important to remember that this song points us to the "not yet" advent. Christ will come again! 

        Tune: Lowell Mason (1792-1872)

•     largely responsible for introducing music into American public schools
•     a leading figure in church music - wrote over 1600 hymns. 
•     his congregation was known as having the finest congregational singing in New York City
•     ANTIOCH is attributed to Handel (since a lot of the melody can be traced in the Messiah) 

    Hark the Herald Angels Sing
     
        Text: Charles Wesley

• An evangelist, George Whitefield, changed the words of Wesley's hymn. Wesley was furious and would never sing the changed words
• the text is rich in theology (Lk. 2:10-14; 2 Cor. 5:19; Rev. 15:4; Heb. 1:6; Matt. 1:21-23; John 1:1; Phil. 2:7; Is. 9:6; Mal. 4:2; 1 Pet. 1:3

        Tune: Felix Mendelssohn/ MENDELSSOHN

•    born into a wealthy Jewish family in Berlin, but converted to Christianity
•    Best known works include Midsummer Night's Dream and Elijah
•    Revived J. S. Bach's works
•    In 1840, he wrote this tune as a tribute to Johann Gutenberg

   Neither Wesley, nor Mendelssohn ever knew their works were combined - but it is world known and well loved.

Here are two more that I love:

•     Good Christian Men Rejoice

•     God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Merry Christmas!