Carols of Christmas herald Good News
The classic mystery begins, “It was a dark and stormy night.” But the mystery we celebrate this week begins, “It was a silent and holy night. All was calm; all was bright.”
If we listen to the stories told in Christmas carols, we get glimpses of the awe and wonder of the Incarnation, this mystery that brought God in touch with our world. “Silent Night,” of course, tells us of the Virgin Mother and child, sleeping peacefully. Nearby, though, shepherds quake; they are agitated, for they’ve been visited by angels, and the streams of glory from heaven are uncommon in the fields outside Bethlehem. But the heavenly hosts assure them that all is well.
It’s all in there; it sounds so much better in the rhythm and tune we all know and love.
We’ve been waiting for the Messiah, so when we hear the news that the Lord has come, what better to shout than “Joy to the World!”? Fields, rocks, hills and plains even rejoice at the news. The Lord rules the world with truth and grace, and that is worth celebrating in song, isn’t it?
Growing up, our family had a particular affection for “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” Our dad’s name was Harold, and we thought the song was about us, the Harold angels. Though we knew the spelling was different and we were often far from angelic, we drew great meaning from the song, and hoped that at Christmas and other times of the year, we could bring glory to the newborn king with the way we lived our lives.
Of course, not all Christmas songs lift up the soul, or advance the Nativity story. Wandering through shops and malls or listening to radio stations with “continuous Christmas music” these last few weeks reveals some beautiful examples of seasonal tunes – and a lot of garbage. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” may be fun, but it won’t save your soul, and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” is just wrong. But a stirring rendition of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” or “Mary, Did You Know” can help us connect to the truth – and grace – of Advent and Christmas.
So can a stirring rendition of “O Holy Night,” encouraging us to “fall on our knees” on this “night divine.” Some may say that Christmas has simply become a secular holiday and that the Christmas tree a secular symbol. But when else would radio stations air the message, “It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth” without objection from the politically correct crowd? That’s not a secular message; it’s evangelization at its core. God so loved us that he sent his only Son, and it was indeed a holy night, and the stars were brightly shining.
This year, as you listen to and sing the carols at Christmas, listen to the words. Hear the story of Christ’s birth and the glory of that night. Be a herald of that good news to others. Bring joy to the world.
From all of us at The Catholic Review, Merry Christmas, and may you have a blessed new year.
Gunty is associate publisher/editor of The Catholic Review.