Christmas Song Countdown #1: O Come All Ye Faithful

This had to be my final song in the countdown.  On so many levels its my favorite Christmas Carol.  I remember growing up it was my grandfather's favorite English Christmas Carol.  His baritone voice was perfect for this song.  I also have fond memories of singing this song in latin in church and with family "Adeste Fideles".  The chorus of the song, "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord", is what today and tomorrow is all about.  I love the third verse, "...Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing" (From John 1:14).

While this carol is familiar to most, I suspect you may not be familiar with this version.  I did not choose a typical choir version or tenor soloist like Josh Groban or Andrea Bocelli.  While those versions are absolutely beautiful - actually any version of this song is beautiful - Chris Tomlin's ability to lead a group of people into worship is amazing.  He turns a traditional carol that we've song thousands of times and by the end of this song, I'm in a sense of worship of my Lord and Savior.  "We'll praise Your name forever, We'll praise Your name forever..."  I love how he finishes with that.  It reminds me that those of us in Christ will one day praise His name forever - like my grandfather.  I also love how you can hear the other voices singing in the background, thus adding to the corporate worship feel to this song.

I hope you've enjoyed this countdown.  If you've missed any other songs in the countdown, you can see the entire list here.

Merry Christmas!  May it be your most blessed one yet!

O Come All Ye Faithful
by Chris Tomlin

Christmas Song Countdown #2: O Holy Night

So I'm a bit late posting this today.  This is the favorite carol of many people I know.   Josh Groban's version is one of the best, up there with Michael Crawford, Celine Dion, David Phelps and others.  I love the second verse...

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Most versions have "Noel! Noel! O Night, O Night Divine!" at the end of the second verse, but versions like Chris Tomlin's actually sing "His power and Glory ever more proclaim."  I didn't use Tomlin's version since he'll be featured in tomorrow's final carol.  The second verse really captures what Christmas is about - the birth of our savior - and what that means for us today.  

Merry Christmas!

O Holy Night

by Josh Groban

Here's a link to Chris Tomlin's version:  http://youtu.be/t8DbYEakAh8

Christmas Song Countdown: #3 Boh Predvichnyi

Most of you reading this have absolutely no clue what this song is.  This is a traditional Ukranian Christmas Carol. "Boh Predvichnyi" or "Bog Predvichny" literally means "God eternal" or "God everlasting". My mother's side of the family is 100% Ukranian in heritage.  Every Christmas Eve, we celebrate our LORD's birth with the traditional Holy Supper "Svyata Vecherya” (Свята Вечеря).  Once supper is over, we sing, and Boh Predvichnyi is always the first song sung as we move into Christmas Carol time.  When my grandfather was alive (he went to be with His Lord and Savior on February 6th this year), he would lead us and he also would also sing this as he entered anyone's home on Christmas Day.  It is in honor of him that I make this our Carol of the day in the countdown.  It really is a beautiful song even if you can't understand the Ukranian.

Grandpa, we will miss you this year when it comes time to sing.  Thank you for starting this tradition, and we'll do our best to keep it alive.    I hope someone will replace your beautiful baritone voice, for my voice isn't that deep. :0)

Merry Christmas!
KhrystOs narodYvsya! 

Boh Predvichnyi
A Traditional Ukranian Carol

There are two versions attached, the first from a Catholic church in Connecticut.  The second is from a Ukranian church in New Jersey. To my family: The second song is better audio quality but doesn't get going until about 1:10 into the video.





More Ukranian traditions: http://www.infoukes.com/culture/traditions/christmas/