Last year Fred and I took on a challenge to go live on Facebook each night from 1st to 24th of December to sing Songs for Christmas.
I thought I would gather the first 10 of those Songs for Advent & Christmas together here in one resource.
With the links to:
the blog's Facebook page Sandra's Ark Facebook Page
Fred's Facebook page Apostolic Worship Facebook Page
Fred's YouTube channel Apostolic Worship on YouTube
This link takes you straight to the Playlist of the 24 nights.
We wanted to encourage the listeners that even though we were going through a time of lockdown due to Covid19 we could still sing some Christmas Songs together or learn a few new ones.
We even did some that were more geared for children but then we are all kids at heart - at least Fred and I are.
These Kids songs can be found on my
So here are the first 10 songs we covered in the order of the days
just click on the pics to go to the recordings of the individual songs
1. Away in a Manger
This is the Christmas Carol everyone knows and relaxes over because we are so comfortable about singing it (well the first verse at least).
It was written in the late 19th Century and originally it was known as the Luther's Cradle Song because it was believed to have been written by Martin Luther. However in the 20th Century it was decided that it originated in the US and not in Germany.
However have you noticed that there are two tunes for this song?
The one we did for our Facebook lives is the one we grew up with in the UK and the quicker one is the one known better in the US.
This Christmas Song focuses on the association of Jesus and children because our Saviour came as a child He knows human life completely and all children can turn to Him.?????
2. Once in Royal David's City
I have a great connection with the author of this carol.
Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander lived Londonderry in Northern Ireland, the city I was born in; but many many years before me.
She was the wife of the Bishop and loved to write hymns for adults and children to worship God.
There is a Green Hill Far Away & All things Bright and Beautiful are 2 of her most well-known Hymns but she also adapted St. Patricks Breastplate into a hymn.
Click on the Links above and you will get more info
and free printables.
This Christmas Song was written to focus on the fact that
Jesus was born of the virgin Mary.
3. Calypso Carol
This is a more modern Christmas Carol as it was written in 1964 by Rev. Michael Perry.
He wrote it while a student at Theological College and since that went on to write over 300 other hymns.
His work is widely represented at Jubilate Hymns
I learnt this one when I was a teenager and it has remained a favourite of mine throughout the years.
This Christmas Song draws our attention at the very start to the infant Jesus but continues to direct us to Jesus
as the Prince of Glory.
4. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
This is one of the most well-known Christmas Carols and features in many Carol Services each year.
It was written in 1700
and based on Luke 2 v 8
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night."
This Christmas Song focuses us on the importance of the message brought by the Angels and stresses the gladness & joy.
5. Light of the World / Here I am to Worship
Some people may have been surprised by the inclusion of this 21st Century song written by a young 19 year old Tim Hughes and may have never thought of it as pertaining to Christmas before.
But just look at the words of the verses and you will see Jesus the Light of the world leaving glory to come to earth in humble human form.
The chorus takes us to our humble worship of the King of Kings in all His glory and of course the bridge doesn't leave us at the Christmas stage but also brings us to the sacrifice on the cross.
This Christmas Song focuses us the worship we cannot fail to give when we consider what Jesus did for us by coming as the light for us but in all humility in human form.
6. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Back to the 1744 and we have a hymn by one of the most prolific hymn writers Charles Wesley.
He originally wrote a prayer based on reading Haggai 2 v 7 and considered the state of the world at that time.
Later that year he made the prayer into a hymn "with the intent for people to remember Advent and Christmas as commemorating the Nativity of Jesus and preparing for the Second Coming"
This Christmas Song focuses on the longing of the Old Testament Jews wishing for the Messiah to come and on god giving that Messiah - Jesus His Son.
7. Joy to the World
This song is so triumphant from the first line.
The reason being that although we call this a Christmas Carol it is really about Christ's Triumphal return so we need to class it as an Advent Hymn.
It was written by Isaac Watts who was an English Minister and writer.
The inspiration came from Psalm 98.
It was published in his own set of Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1719.
It is so well-known that it was the most published Christmas Hymn in North America during the 20th Century.
This song is so triumphant from the first line.
The reason for this is that although we call it a Christmas Carol it is really about Christ's Triumphal return so we need to class it as an Advent Hymn.
8. Oh Holy Night
Composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 this carol was originally a French Poem.
The Lyrics were written by Placide Cappeau in 1843 when he was asked to write a Christmas Poem to celebrate the renovation of his home town's church organ.
In 1855 the French lyrics were translated into English by a minister called John Sullivan Dwight.
The Carol features annually in the famous Carol from King's College, Cambridge.
This Christmas Song focuses on the change
the Lord Jesus would bring into the world
both physically and spiritually.
9. The First Nowell
This carol was first published in the form we know in 1823 and appears to have originated in Cornwall, UK.
The storyline of the carol is found in the Gospel of Luke where the angel announces the good news to the shepherds and the Gospel of Matthew where the star appears and leads the wise men. However there is no mention of the star in the passage about the shepherds.
This Christmas Song focuses on the role of
Jesus as the King over all
from lowly shepherds
to wealthy leaders.
10. Unto Us A Child is Born
This is the shortest Christmas song we have included here.
It consists of one verse of 7 lines and is actually a good song to help with memorizing scripture as it is almost exactly the wording from
Isaiah 9 v 6 where the prophecy is given of the birth of Jesus.
This Christmas Song focuses on the role of Jesus as the
Son of God born to be given for us
with
everything and everyone
subject to Him
There we have Set 1 of
10 Songs for Advent & Christmas
I hope you enjoy the videos and sing along with these great carols that herald the greatest birth of all time.
All of the videos included in this post plus many others are available on You Tube
and you may also enjoy
Apostolic Worship (Songs of Love)
