Sing We Now of Christmas

The angel Gabriel from heaven came to a virgin meek and mild. So in the bleak midwinter, once in royal David’s city, Mary had her baby away in a manger--because for Mary and Joseph ‘twas no place--and she sang, “Jesus, Jesus, rest your head. Lul-lay.”

This first noel, the birthday of a king, came upon a midnight clear. So while shepherds watched their flocks of friendly beasts that silent night, hark! Herald angels from the realms of glory we heard on high as lately we watched: “He is born; how great our joy! One small child—an infant holy, an infant lowly—is in the little town of Bethlehem. God rest ye merry gentlemen and glory to God on high!”

Also three kings of orient are following a star of the east, and the little drummer boy pats a pan with a fum-fum-fum. Yes, there is a song in the air...

But do you hear what I hear? I wonder as I wander: “Mary, did you know what child is this?”

This is Jesu Bambino, the Fairest Lord Jesus, a joy to the world and of the Father’s love begotten.

So good Christian men, rejoice! Come, all ye faithful! Bring a torch, Jeannette, Isabella--shine a thousand candles bright! Rise up, shepherds, and go tell it on a mountain for unto us a child is given this holy night.

(There are 49 Christmas carol allusions in this post. Can you find them all?)