About the Book
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. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
This book really surprised me! It is simply delightful to read the stories and listen to the songs. There are 24 songs to read one a day leading up to Christmas. Each song has the lyrics and then the story on the history of the carol. One of the best parts is the QR code that you scan and it takes you to the YouTube video of that song performed by the Tabernacle Choir. This book is the perfect countdown to Christmas to read with your family! This book includes a great mix of carols, even some that I had never heard of or listened to. Compared to other holiday books this one is well worth buying!
I highly recommend that you grab a copy of this! It will make a great addition to your family traditions!
"I received a copy of this book for free from Shadow Mountain Publishing. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
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