An enduring memory of my childhood is my brother forensically going over every present under the Christmas tree. Was it lego? Which DVDs were in this one? How much chocolate were we getting? He would try everything short of actually ripping off the wrapping paper. My sister has been known to weigh presents as part … Continue reading O Come, O Come Emmanuel: The Story Behind the Carol
Have you seen those postcards of a quiet Christmas? The snow lies thick about a picturesque village. Warm light glows from the windows of several cottages, sprinkled about the bottom of rolling hills. You can almost hear the bells in the little chapel's steeple ringing out in the crisp night air. The only sound for … Continue reading Silent Night: The Story Behind the Carol
If you need a laugh, search the internet for bad versions of this belter. There are some brave people out there... who can't hit high notes... but, fair play to them, keep trying! Classic FM (a posh radio station here in the UK) reckons O Holy Night might just be the greatest Carol of all. … Continue reading O Holy Night: The Story Behind the Carol
Over the weeks leading up to Christmas, I thought it would be fun to explore some of the most popular Christmas carols in the English-speaking world, delve into their origins and try to unpick their meaning. As a lover of history, I'm really looking forward to it. May I start with a caveat? I am … Continue reading What is a Carol? (Christmas Special)
Yours Truthfully 