A Partridge in a Pear Tree...

Shrouded in rumor and mystery, The Twelve Days of Christmas is a very old carol, recorded in English song books since the 1700's and likely sung before that by commoners in England and perhaps even France.  Some have recently claimed it represents an attempt to educate Catholic children under the intolerant rule of Anglicans in England.  Others suggest it was a "Twelfth Night" song sung as a memory game for children celebrating the time between Christmas Day and Epiphany on December 6.  Either way it is certainly an enduring celebration of the festivities of Christmas.  The writing, sharing and recording of songs is a timeless tradition that preserves and extends our history and culture.  Songs can take a person back to a moment in time... and many time to a place they have never been.

Make an effort this season to enjoy some of the songs of the season.  Make a little music of your own.  Explore some new tunes or old forgotten melodies.  I've included titles and link to a few songs that make my Christmas season shine.  (I've attached links to those I've located on YouTube.  Some are my favorite version, other versions are new to me.)  Enjoy!

Old Christmas Carols
Christ is Born
Christmas is Coming
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting on an Open Fire)
The Holly and the Ivy
Gabriel's Message
O come, O come, Emmanuel
Deck the Halls with boughs of holly

Modern Christmas Songs
Blue Christmas
Wonderful Christmastime
Carol of the Bells
Have yourself and Merry Little Christmas
I want a Hippopotamus
Baby, It's cold outside

Songs from My Childhood
The Chipmunk Song
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch
Snoopy's Christmas
Linus' Christmas Monologue
Christmastime is Here

Newest Songs
How Many Kings?
Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)
Always in the Season