Get in the Christmas spirit with this unique collection of the most beloved Christmas carols, from the warmly nostalgic to the majestically solemn and uplifting. The book features one carol for each day from December first to Christmas Eve, and presents both the lyrics and the fascinating stories and interesting facts behind the creation of the songs. Each entry deepens our understanding of the music and enhances our appreciation of why these songs are culturally important and dearly treasured.
From popular, familiar carols to lesser known but cherished hymns, author Michael D. Young combines his musical expertise with information specific to each song.
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" was written by an American preacher, Philip Brooks, after traveling to Bethlehem in 1868 to find peace after the horrors of the Civil War and assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Brooks's original poem, with one largely unknown final verse, is included along with the lyrics of the beloved carol.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" was voted the best Christmas carol by a BBC survey of experts, but the song was actually created from a poem by Christina Rosetti and did not become a carol until decades after her death when it was paired with music by Gustav Holst. Today, Rosetti is considered one of the most important poets of the nineteenth century, and the carol she unintentionally penned is one of the most haunting and beloved of all time.
An Advent Carols Countdown is a beautiful gift book for the whole family to enjoy along with the music of the holidays. Each entry also features a QR code that will link to an audio or video performance of the carol performed by the choir most associated with Christmas, the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir.
About The Author
Michael D. Young has degrees in both music and German. Though he grew up traveling the world, he now lives in Utah with his wife, Jen, and their two sons. He teaches in a German dual-language immersion program, and he is a current member of the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir.
My Review
What a gem this little book is. It is something I will put with my Christmas treasures, and have handy from the 1st of December through the 24th.
A gift that keeps giving each day as you are receiving a blessing of the beautiful music of the Tabernacle Choir, one beautiful carol for each day, along with the lyrics. Just use the QR code and you are linked to an audio or video performance!
We begin on December 1st with The Holly and the Ivy, first with the lyrics, and the the QR code along with About The Carol, something as an adult I found interesting, how and where it originated! This continues each day with cherished carols, and then on the 24th Silent Night.
So much packed into a 120 page, and sure to become an anticipated part of your Advent each year!
I received this book through the Publisher Shadow Mountain, and was not required to give a positive review.
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