Chrismas Song Countdown: #14 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

"I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day" is a traditional Christmas Carol.  Its one of those I never really took a notice or liking to until Casting Crowns released their cover of it a few years back.  It is now one of my very favorites Christmas Songs and the past couple of Christmas Seasons, I've used it to kick off my Christmas music listening -it being the first song I've listened to the last 2 years.  I love the children's choir accompaniment   I love the cellos becoming prominent in melancholy tone of verse 2 "...for hate is strong and mocks the song..."   I love the captivating broken chord piano intro of the song.  Altogether, it is a very powerful song and it resonates with people everywhere.  The overarching theme in the chorus of "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to men" is straight from the story of Christ's birth in Luke's Gospel (read below).  That qualifies this song as a traditional carol and one that talks about the true meaning of Christmas.  I pray this song moves in your heart as it does in mine each and every time.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

  Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  -Luke 2:1-14 (NKJV)

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
by Casting Crowns