I was an atheist for ten years, and then "spiritual but not religious" for many more. Last year I found Christ and this is my second Christmas as a Christian man. First one where I can really, truly feel the joy of the savior being born. God bless you whos reading this. God is watching over all and all will be made right in the end.
I remember my first Christmas after becoming a Christian. It felt like my very first true Christmas of my life. It was so special, I’ll never forget it.
You’ve chosen a path of least resistance. The safe route. The one which doesn’t require us to question or explore. Wear those blinkers all you want. The atheist community is better off with one less unintelligent weak minded fool. Good for you “finding Christ”, prepare for an extremely one sided relationship.
Helmut Thielicke, the German pastor and theologian, said that the Christmas story is like a melody of two lines. On the lower line, there is the simple and heart-breaking story of a child born outside of society, in a cave on a hillside, because there was no where on earth for him. But above, in the upper register, the angels sing their “hallelujahs,” and heaven is open. During this pandemic, all we see is sadness and despair and hopelessness all around us. But such beautiful music reminds us that there is also an upper register, where the angels still sing over our lives, and heaven remains open. God bless you all, this holiday season!
I agree about the upper register. The descriptions of the Christmas story from the "lower register" are not actually accurate, however, neither theology nor history. They fit with modern (last 200 years) political ideas and have become dominant. It doesn't make them true. "No room in the inn," is really "The guest room was occupied," and the "outside of society" is actually "right in the middle of his society." We should not fall off one side of the boat tryingtto avoid the other.
@@AsstVillageIdiot I am a pastor of forty years, and a theologian of sixty years, and stand by what I said. Perhaps read Luther’s “Nativity” sermon, which says the same thing. No - it is not “the guest room is taken.” It is both proper theology, a “theology of the cross,” and historically accurate, and has nothing to do with political persuasions. It is the Gospel.
@@garyroth3433 I recommend Kenneth Bailey's "Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" whose research shows how Western pictures including of the understanding of the domestic architecture of the time, as far back as the first centuries, have obscured some readings that are probably more accurate including that the word in question was translated "upper room" in all other places of the NT. The Eastern churches continue to insist he was born in a cave - no evidence for that, either. It was a hospitality culture and it would have been a matter of course that Joseph's relatives would have taken him in. There was no innkeeper. that is a different word.That even brilliant minds might continue to develop the idea that Jesus was born poor and rejected is unsurprising once the idea is embedded. We have indeed tied a lot of sermons to that idea over the centuries. But that doesn't make it correct. You may find Bailey unpersuasive. You might at least consider it possible enough to drop your snippy tone about it. I had done you no harm.
I grew up in California, pretty much an atheist. I lived in England for two years, and while singing in a choir in Sussex I had a kind of spiritual awakening while contemplating a chord progression of Bach from the Christmas Oratorio. I love Christmas in England.
There's a reason for all of this. It didn't happen by randomness and time. If you think about it in detail, there's a Will that forced it to happen. How can meaning exist in meaninglessness? Too many contradictions to a merely mechanistic Universe. I don't pretend to know anything other than it's not by chance.
Every Christmas Eve after I have prepared everything for the following day .My lovely husband would get me a glass of sherry and I sat in front of the fire and listened to carols from Kings it was wonderful.Still doing the same thing .But in lock down and we in isolation we are on our own this year .But we arnt going to be sad because we are blessed .we have a family that is well we have a roof over our heads we have food to eat how lucky are we .God bless you all and keep safe
I'm sitting here listening to the voices and reading your words. They moved me and lifted my spirits. It is a moment of grace to find words that resonate deeply and capture the hope, gratitude and wisdom we need, especially at Christmas, to look forward with optimism. Merry Christmas!
Yes, Merry Christmas in a difficult time. One can find a number of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services streamed this year or rebroadcast from years past. I just watched Lessons and Carols from Washington Cathedral and will join them on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and for a Christmas Day organ recital. All on their RUclips channel.
I have been a beneficiary of The Choir Of Kings College Carol man Advent Seasons! Exquisitely full of grace. The Lord inhabits the people of His praises.
Perry Comeau please re-read my comment. I did not say, Christmas is a deal. I said, this is the real deal in Christmas music. "Real deal" is what's called a 'colloquialism'. We use those in the US, I think they're used in many countries. Merry Christmas;)))
My Dad was an Episcopalian priest in the Anglican tradition despite our location in the far western US. So not only did I grow up listening to this sublime music, I also grew up singing it in our pale frontier rendition of an English boys choir. Still listen to this every Christmastide 50+ years later.
I have an English mother (East Anglian)and grew up in a church that was 1/2 British women who married US soldiers, and the other 1/2 Americans who loved to celebrate like the English during any feast day. Grew up with this music, even played the organ in high school. We had Madrigal dinners, Epiphany teas, all that... there's nothing like a Midnight Mass!
YEAH!Jesus is the reason for season , not some commercial figure of a man who travels delivering stuff to children,who was based off a famous Saint!People I know make such a big deal about how bad it is for children not believing in Santa,and if it came to God nothing wrong there!And they wouldn't have hymns or carols like this in case it "offends any1"
And assorted Glam rock teeth gritters. The teeth chippings would be enough to grit the M25 for example for a couple of years! Merry Christmas by the way!
This music brought me to tears today, and reconnected me with God in a way that I cannot describe. It's so beautiful, just as the story of our salvation is. Thank you, Jesus.
People say Christmas and Christianity are old and dying, that we haven’t a need for it in our modern world. But the truth is this world is dying, passing away into dust while the glory of Christ liveth on ever brighter.
@@curtispennington89Personally curtis, I think there's more truth in The Big Lebowski than Corinthians....you don't get to allude to the bible and then invoke physics. Never the twain do meet.
@@JRT5573 Don't try to co-opt physics to prove your superstitions my friend...it smacks of desperation. Believe what you want to...but do not be dishonest about why you believe it.
The beauty and culture of this country is no longer appreciated by its own population let alone discovered by the europeans.The autocrats of the EU would and are rapidly destroying everything that is culturally significant. Amazingly the germanic people have timidly given in without saying boo to a goose. Once a proud nation now a cowering wreck.
First heard Coventry Carol about a year ago. That thing makes my toes curl, and induces goosebumps. I was a 'secret' Christmas Carol listener for many years, from the ages of 11 until almost 41 where Christmas celebration was forbidden, and anything associated with Christmas, including all those beautiful Carols and songs were off limits. Then eight years ago, huge changes happened, and I found myself standing outside of my former life, without the security of my former network of beliefs or the safety of the social contracts that were maintained by those who lived by that belief system. Of course, among other things, Christmas music was binged to death in the aftermath, the feeling was euphoric. Sounds almost absurd that someone could be prevented from listening to such beauty, it even seems absurd to me after all this time; so glad I got to enjoy it unimpeded.
The carols are truly beautiful, but the Christ about whom they are written is far more beautiful, and you can have a personal relationship with HIm simply by turning from what the Bible calls sin and asking Him to take up residence in your heart. God bless and Merry Christmas!
I don’t know what Religion or group you were born into that disallowed you from listening to this music, but I am glad you are free to hear it and let it resonate in your heart. I was raised RC but no longer attend in light of the long history of abuse and mysoginy in the Church, but I sang in Choir with my (late) Father for many years so hymns and carols hold special memories for me. The Coventry Carol is a favourite along with Lo, how a Rose ere blooming and The Wexford Carol. I wish you joy and peace in your journey. Try Mozart and American Soprano Kathleen Battle...and get ready for goosebumps, esp. “Mary had a baby” with the Harlem Boy’s Choir. ✌️
As a buddhist, this is beautiful, some Christians really do need to stand up and reclaim christmas because big business and human greed have transmored a spiritual beautiful day into a month long binge eating and booze fest, and its quite simply very sad, and i say this as a buddhist.. the true meaning of christmas is all but lost
Apologist C S Lewis said in a letter in 1953: " I feel exactly as you do about the horrid commercial racket they have made out of Christmas. I send no cards and give no presents except to children."
The true meaning of Christmas lives in the hearts of all believers. That God loved us so much to send Christ into a broken world to give us an example of humble and sacrificial love. This lives in the hearts of all believers. It is an utterly infectious proposition and the gift of Christmas that our secular world is happy to claim like so many true and pure things. The only problem is that children do not learn that the gift exists entirely in the giving; not receiving...
Completely agree. I'm an Irish-American, and the Brits have led the way musically since the British Invasion to America with the Beatles, and so many others. BTW, I read John, Paul and George are half Irish/half English. Only Ringo is a full-blooded English man. Some Irish therein. No sleight on Kings College; I listen to their carols every Christmas time.
@@donboy68 Handel was, of course, part German and part English. Although "Messiah" spans the whole of Christ's life (and before and afer), it remains for me an essential piece of Christmas listening.
My heart jumps for joy when I hear this. When I was a little girl when I would hear choir songs of Christmas...I would say "Mumma the angels in heaven are singing," she would giggle and reply always, "Yes Gi they are" Well now she is with the angels of heaven.
Gigi Bowden-Stewart That actually bought a tear to my eye, merry Christmas Gigi and I wish you all the warmth and happiness for not just 2018 but for ever more.
I feel the same way an I loss my mom in October 2019 she loved Christmas carols so she is in heaven hearing all the Angels singing an given King Jesus all the Glory for his Mercy an Grace for all mankind.
It's so sad that our society has completely removed it's self from God. Many comments are saying this music is so beautiful yet they are failing to see that what makes it so is the sacredness of it. Humans were made to be with God and praise him. Viva Cristo Rey! May the truth of Jesus Christ set us free! Merry Christmas.
When I was a kid, my father used to play the King's College Choir record when it was Christmas. For me, although still in the Netherlands, it's the ultimate Christmas music.
Absolutely beautiful!! This sacred choral music is an oasis for my soul. It confirms that despite living in a noisy, conflict-ridden and troubled world, we are still safely cradled in God’s gentle hands.
00:00:00 Once in royal David’s city 00:04:41 Rejoice and be merry 00:06:11 Ding dong, merrily on high 00:08:19 What Sweeter Music 00:12:37 O little town of Bethlehem 00:16:17 A Spotless Rose 00:19:25 Heer Jezus heeft een hofken (organ variations) 00:26:44 King Jesus hath a garden 00:30:10 The Lamb 00:33:39 Bogoróditse Dyévo 00:34:55 Infant holy, infant lowly 00:36:43 Illuminare, Jerusalem 00:39:12 While shepherds watched 00:41:54 Quittez, pasteurs 00:45:05 In dulci jubilo (organ prelude) 00:48:06 In dulci jubilo 00:50:46 The First Nowell 00:56:09 Coventry Carol 00:59:17 Personent hodie 01:01:49 O come all ye faithful
@@andreawallenberger2668 Thank you for posting this table of contents, an essential resource for a long anthology such as this video. A quick editorial comment: while I often feel I can take or leave John Rutter's music, What Sweeter Music is exquisitely beautiful. It's a joy to find it here.
My Bible-thumping mother used to to say about music like this: "Very nice, but none of them believe a word of the Gospel." She had a particular hate on for Handel's Messiah.
@@studentjohn35 It's a terrible thing to find such things in someone close to you. My mother was raised in a Depression-era "Bible-thumper" household, where choirs and music like this were called "un-Christian." When she left home, she joined and was confirmed in the Anglican church. My dad sang in good choirs his whole life, so I was (luckily) exposed to music like this from an early age. I was fortunate.
@@robertmilitello7117 As you say, there are those who shout about their own "Christian" purity while dismissing others. Yet many of these people will recite chapter and verse without ever giving a thought to the meaning or message of "The Word" they speak.
Every year, for a around 14 years now...every Christmas Eve after the kids settle in for the night, I pour myself a nightcap and just melt into my easy chair and let this take me away to where it all began...
Yeah none of those songs have nothing to do with what Christmas is about,after all Christmas is about the birth of the son of God who was born of a virgin mother , to then one day die upon the cross for all us men and women then to conquer death by resurrecting on the third day
@@frankturlough1381 Hey there's no need for that. If a song is great doesn't matter who it's written by. You sound like a very angry hated filled person I'm sorry to say.
@@frankturlough1381 Careful...........He is still called "KING OF THE JEWS, AND LORD OF LORDS!!" you would do well to show respect and honor instead of profanity.....
You mean collections of actual CHRISTMAS music, not "Holiday music", much of which is actually just "winter songs". "Jingle Bells" has nothing to do with Christmas, it was a song written for young people to sing to the sound of sleighbells while out "sparking" in their cozy sleighs in the 19th century. "Frosty" is a silly kids' song about an animated snowman (sorry, snowperson, of course I meant). "Drummer Boy" is at least an actual Christmas song, although kind of nonsensical. Most of the other ones they play are just songs from the mid-20th Century about the holiday season, not about Christmas (Silver Bells, Beginning to Look Like Christmas, etc), but those are halfway acceptable. Other ones are just pop songs that happen to mention the subject of Christmas ("Last Christmas I gave you my heart"; Blue Christmas, the Jackson Five, etc). No, for me Christmas music is CHRISTMAS music, about Christ, and reflective of the original mysterious, meaningful holiday, before it was just a stressful party time that everyone pretended to love but actually dreaded because they are expected to spend a lot of money they can't afford on stuff that no one needs, fight with crowds in stores, plan events, hold parties, hang up lights, "take the tree down from the attic", or go buy one "fresh" if you are old fashioned (or go out and cut down an actual spindly, real balsam fir like us cavemen). They've ruined this holiday in so many ways, it's sacreligious, evil....and I'm not even a "religious" person in the typical sense of the word. I just have respect and honor the tradition and I think it's sick how they've exploited and ruined what was an important and wonderful tradition because the economy improves and the stock market goes up the more they can coerce people into spending money.
Through the years I have been privileged a few times to hear Kings College during Advent and Christmastide. The most poignant was Christmas Eve 2012. Having arrived in Kabul for the first time on the previous day, I hungered for sounds of the Season and was blessed to find that year’s presentation on my small shortwave radio receiver. It was truly a time of worship and celebration!
Wow! That's a memory that must fill you will gratitude ! All Gods best to you. I've been in distant continents and can relate. Blessing you from Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦
Replying to your message on December 9 2021 MY FAMILY/FRIEND “ ENJOYING A CUP OF WHAT WE CUP HAPPY 😃 NEW YEARS ONCE AND FOREVER MORE NEVER TO BE COUNTED AS SUCH RULE OF THUMB ✌️
I had the privilege of attending the Festival of Lessons and Carols at King's College Chapel. It is truly beautiful. "Once in Royal David's City" is a hymn I grew up with. Still, it has never lost its power and glory.
@@diamondeyes1559 Actually, I arrived after an overnight flight to London, so I arrived in Cambridge already bleary eyed. Even so, it was a beautiful and memorable few hours. Go, if you can.
Listening to these carols takes me back to being a choir boy both at my local church and at school. I used to look forward so much to Christmas for the carol singing alone.
I come here every Christmas Eve,as a catholic I was brought up with these carols every Christmas. This collection brings peace to me every year. I listen to punk indie music every day of the year however Christmas Eve I’m here with this on. Just shows power of god and his music, god bless everybody and a merry Christmas x
I am German, I thank you very much for the beautiful Christmas music. A blessed Christmas season to all! Thank you very much for allowing me to listen here. 🎄
King's College is the choir by which all other choirs in the world are measured. They have been doing this service for generations. I was weaned on this music as a young chorister, and I sang their Service of Lessons and Carols all the way through college (as a soloist as well), and beyond. My mother first introduced them to me when I was only 5 , and I was hooked. My whole family sang in the church choir with a brilliant organist and director (who has cut albums with our choirs repeatedly), and I have recordings of Kings all over the house. I listen to them all year long, and I have so much music memorized from various services over the years. These young choristers, choral scholars and full choir members are truly an inspiration for all of us, and you don't have to be Christian to enjoy simply beautiful, sublime music throughout the ages. During Covid-19, I suggest that we all sit and really listen to the text and the harmonies to truly appreciate the fact that we shall get through this dark time in history to emerge stronger on the other side. Sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful, and each time this choir performs, they prove it. Thank you, King's, you guys are terrific!
I have this CD and love the Carols. It reminds me of my time in my mixed school choir in 1975. My first crush was on a lovely girl who joined our choir with her friends from the convent across the road from our college. I heard she died a decade ago. Once in Royal David's city is my favourite carol. Peace, Joy and Happiness to everyone in these difficult times.
I have been truly privileged to hear this wonderful choir throughout my life, under their respective Directors of Music, from Boris Ord, Sir David Willcocks, Sir Phillip Ledger, and Sir Stephen Cleobury, who, sadly passed away recently, having served Kings for some 37 years. The annual BBC Christmas Eve Service at 3.00 p.m. is a must for anyone wishing to hear this glorious choir, and rejoice in the birth of our Lord Jesus. This beautiful recording totally encapsulates everything special about Kings. We now greet Daniel Hyde as Director of Music, and wish him many happy years at King’s.
My son sang all these in a boy choir for 10 years. It was indeed glorious especially since he and several others had such good voices and could sing very porfessionally. He sang many, many solos including the entrance to Once in Royal David's City.
I might be repeating myself because I’m techy incapable and don’t know if the first time I replied went through. Here goes again, I am so inspired when I listen to the hymns that express the depth of God’s love for us in a time of darkness.
I was deeply unhappy at my prep school. Soon after the beginning of the Christmas holidays and blessed deliverance, my mother would drive with me down to my aunt's house in Sussex. We were made so welcome there! Sweet memories of returning to a familiar place. It was always my job to put up the holly around her house on Christmas Eve. Christmas carols from King's would be playing, the same music we had sung at school shortly before the beginning of the longed for Christmas holidays. So it is that I associate this music with intense happiness; but beyond that, this church music displays what DH Lawrence called the reverence for life a reverence which binds (religio) man to man and man to God.
@@deerinheadlights100 As good as the Vienna Boys' Choir is, this choir is superior, in my opinion. I have been fortunate enough to see both of them perform in person, too. Both amazing shows, but the the King's College Choir was better.
That doesn't make sense. Whether God exists or not must be a matter of fact and logic. There is no logic involved with 'I love this music, therefore God'. You might as well say, "that was a lovely lasagne, therefore Thor". What the music has brought you to is not God but spiritual and heightened emotional feelings. Enjoy those feelings and don't feel guilty about them. You don't need 'God' to justify them.
Richard Durant Sacred Christian music can contain the Gospel message as well as evoking a emotional response from the listener, so yes a person could claim that as part of their conversion story.
I am so glad to be Episcopalian, they have the best music. I am an Anglophile (& a bit of a Celtophile as well). I love beautifully sung carols in an echo-y church. My most favorite is O Little Town of Bethlehem (the FOREST GREEN tune, of course).
Jane Moody I grew up in England, came to Canada at twenty six, I noticed that some of the tunes sung here are not the same. This recording is bliss. Christmas Carols make me cry, don’t know why. Happy Christmas everyone, where ever you may be.💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
try and scope out an Anglican Church.... I attend a Carol Service each Year in Toronto...Organ, Trumpets, Kettledrums, Chimes, Brass and combined Choir. It's the Best thing to start off the Season!
last year I heard this music for the first time. I wondered how it has touched me cause I am not christian, but this music can really move one´ s heart .
You don't need to be a Christian. It's all about the beauty of it, and what it evokes. I'm an atheist and I have always loved, and been stirred, by this music.
These Christian carols move your heart because the Spirit of the Living God is calling you. It’s not about emotion. The music is beautiful, to be sure. But the truth is, these songs glorify the birth of the only begotten Son of God. The Hebrews sacrificed an unblemished lamb for their sins, in anticipation of the perfect Lamb of God who would come one day as their Messiah. They didn’t recognize Him, as they were looking for an earthly king. Jesus Christ will reign as King on this earth in the Millenial kingdom. But His first coming was as a humble servant. This was prophesied hundreds of years before the birth of the Savior. They wanted out from under the Roman government and were blinded by their own desires. So blinded that they never saw the Gift among them. Their long awaited Messiah. Instead they cried out for the release of Barabbas, a notorious criminal, and sent their Savior to the cross to die. He shed His blood on that cross for your sins and the sins of the whole world. He rose again from the dead on the third day, so that all who believe on His name would be saved. That is the Gospel. That is the Good News. That is the reason for the season. Luk 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
My most beloved Cristmas was some 40years ago in St Albans on midnight servic. I am still greatful and thank my friends Doug and Simone for this gift. Many best whishes to you all and a Happy and Healthy 2020.
These Traditional Classics, sung by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge truly takes your mind off the prohibitive pandemic, anchoring our Holiday. They place Wings on a Holiday that would otherwise be Mired in Worry. Have a healthy, and happy Holiday, Friends...
As I listened, I was transported in my mind's eye to another world. As I consider my life, the music reminds me that there is hope of a life beyond this world.
Thank you for posting this beautiful choir. I am eternally grateful to a music teacher, Mr Waldren, at my junior school in Winchester back in 1958. He took us for music the whole time I was there. He said, 'if you can speak, you can sing'. Our school choir was competitive but it's only now that I see how very lucky I have been. Every school should have a Mr. Waldren. He was my saviour through a very difficult childhood. Now I am in a Chorale and get to sing beautiful songs with all the discipline I remembered from 1958. Thanks sir.
Hi, I agree with you this voices are beautiful, and I feel glad for you to have had such a wonderful teacher, there's one in my personal history too, all students need teachers like those who teach how to love what you do. I also love music since I was a little girl and have been part of several choirs during my life, I really really love it and enjoy it tremendously, but despite I´ve learned a lot of things (theory and practical) I always made it as a hobby... It would've been great for me to be a professional in this subject. Merry Christmas and best wishes for you and your beloved ones :).
Beautiful..... I am Greek but was raised multicultural...English carols are always very moving to me as much so as our own Greek traditional carols... in these very trying times for all indeed I cherish what I have and pray for a better future for all of us...may the holiday season be safe and May 2021 bring light and health....
This is so beautiful and reminds me of Christmas times when my brother was a boy soprano and when we both sang in Choirs in England and once at Canterbury Cathedral as part of an augmented choir.
I am listening to this, as I am having my second cup of tea, in my little cottage, here in the country. How sublime! Thank you for uploading. Greatly appreciated.
Truth expressed in glorious music. .. we shall see him, but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high; when like stars his children crowned all in white shall wait around. Amen!
The most beautiful English Carols I have ever heard!!! I wish I could join the choir of Kings College. I still practice my voice in chanting Gregorian chants.
@Paula Alquist Thanks! You made me feel better! For every white Christmas in England there are 10 dark and rainy ones! Makes me appreciate the Antipodean sunshine a bit more!
Wow, The Lamb is just transcendent, I can't believe music can sound this good. Once the polyphony starts it's like I'm going up a solemn staircase to heaven.
It's a glorious example of how a composer (John Taverner, in this case) can do a lot with a little - no massive vocal trills or hitting top notes, and yet it sounds haunting and stays with you for a long time after.
What i like about all of this is the lovely comments i have read below, am i wrong in thinking that they are written by good people, the kind that makes life more enjoyable and caring for us all.
God bless you guys. God will bless people who actually follow Him boldly. Pick up your cross daily. Let God forever be the loving and sovereign God. But I will be praying for You Jon Smith that you will find the LORD. Because He will change your mind and heart no one else can. Anyone who is reading this I know God will be glorified. Let Him be praised forever amen. Please Jon give this loving God a chance. He had died for you and He wants a personal relationship with you. No other religion is like that. He wants to love you and care for you. He needs you to be part of His family. But whatever you choose know that. God bless everyone who is the following of the LORD! See you guys on the other side of Heaven. Your sister Michaela
This insane Texan army veteran of Mexican ancestry thoroughly enjoyed 00:00:00 Once in Royal David’s City, 00:06:11 Ding Dong, Merrily on High, 00:12:37 O Little Town of Bethlehem, 00:33:39 Bogoróditse Dyévo, 00:39:12 While Shepherds Watched, 00:41:54 Quittez, Pasteurs, 00:50:46 The First Nowell, 00:56:09 Coventry Carol, 00:59:17 Personent Hodie, and 01:01:49 O Come All Ye Faithful.
It is beautiful. I can't imagine Christmas without carols. But due to covid we are not allowed to sing in choirs. I'm missing it so much and now when Christmas Holiday is coming I am so sad that we are not going to sing these songs on the mass.
My church choir is going ahead with Xmas eve Mass. Of course, I am conflicted, but have decided not to sing with them. I am very upset that I have had to make this decision. Not even sure it's safe to go hear them. Don't know yet what I will do on Xmas Eve.
The Lamb o it just fills me with melancholy and a sadness of the Christmas that are gone. It’s my favourite time of the year and I am constantly going back to anything to do with Christmas our Lords birth all year round. The singing is so beautiful 😍
'Best' choir? Difficult choice - King's obviously; St John's down the road, New and Christ Church at t'other place. And then, if one doesn't mind female voices up top, there's always Trinity Cambridge. I will say that the acoustic of King's tops the lot though.
@@paulcaswell2813 I don't mind female voices but I like men and boys choirs better because that's the English tradition. I am an American Anglophile. By the way, I like the phrase "t'other" for "the other". It's a cute contraction. On that note, pun intended, I will say that t'other choirs are good but King's is the best (in my opinion).
Have been searching for hours to find "real christmas carols". So many versions but none are what i used to sing in church in the UK. Thank you. Merry christmas to all.
I was an atheist for ten years, and then "spiritual but not religious" for many more. Last year I found Christ and this is my second Christmas as a Christian man. First one where I can really, truly feel the joy of the savior being born. God bless you whos reading this. God is watching over all and all will be made right in the end.
Praise him. He is faithful. Merry Christmas ❤
Jesus Christ is an anthropomorphism of the Sun and you’re made from stardust therefore you’re on the correct trajectory ☀️🌎
❤
I remember my first Christmas after becoming a Christian. It felt like my very first true Christmas of my life. It was so special, I’ll never forget it.
You’ve chosen a path of least resistance. The safe route. The one which doesn’t require us to question or explore. Wear those blinkers all you want. The atheist community is better off with one less unintelligent weak minded fool. Good for you “finding Christ”, prepare for an extremely one sided relationship.
Who else is listening to this during this pandemic? Whoever you may be, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
WHAT BETTER TIME. IF NOT NOW
MAC
Me
@@deerinheadlights100 :)
I am
Yes... one here
Helmut Thielicke, the German pastor and theologian, said that the Christmas story is like a melody of two lines. On the lower line, there is the simple and heart-breaking story of a child born outside of society, in a cave on a hillside, because there was no where on earth for him. But above, in the upper register, the angels sing their “hallelujahs,” and heaven is open. During this pandemic, all we see is sadness and despair and hopelessness all around us. But such beautiful music reminds us that there is also an upper register, where the angels still sing over our lives, and heaven remains open. God bless you all, this holiday season!
So beautifully said❤️
WOW! Speechless here!
I agree about the upper register. The descriptions of the Christmas story from the "lower register" are not actually accurate, however, neither theology nor history. They fit with modern (last 200 years) political ideas and have become dominant. It doesn't make them true. "No room in the inn," is really "The guest room was occupied," and the "outside of society" is actually "right in the middle of his society." We should not fall off one side of the boat tryingtto avoid the other.
@@AsstVillageIdiot I am a pastor of forty years, and a theologian of sixty years, and stand by what I said. Perhaps read Luther’s “Nativity” sermon, which says the same thing. No - it is not “the guest room is taken.” It is both proper theology, a “theology of the cross,” and historically accurate, and has nothing to do with political persuasions. It is the Gospel.
@@garyroth3433 I recommend Kenneth Bailey's "Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" whose research shows how Western pictures including of the understanding of the domestic architecture of the time, as far back as the first centuries, have obscured some readings that are probably more accurate including that the word in question was translated "upper room" in all other places of the NT. The Eastern churches continue to insist he was born in a cave - no evidence for that, either. It was a hospitality culture and it would have been a matter of course that Joseph's relatives would have taken him in. There was no innkeeper. that is a different word.That even brilliant minds might continue to develop the idea that Jesus was born poor and rejected is unsurprising once the idea is embedded. We have indeed tied a lot of sermons to that idea over the centuries. But that doesn't make it correct. You may find Bailey unpersuasive. You might at least consider it possible enough to drop your snippy tone about it. I had done you no harm.
I grew up in California, pretty much an atheist. I lived in England for two years, and while singing in a choir in Sussex I had a kind of spiritual awakening while contemplating a chord progression of Bach from the Christmas Oratorio. I love Christmas in England.
Music is not a bodily creation, but a creation of the spirit, do well in England, Christmas Pudding and all.
There's a reason for all of this. It didn't happen by randomness and time. If you think about it in detail, there's a Will that forced it to happen. How can meaning exist in meaninglessness? Too many contradictions to a merely mechanistic Universe. I don't pretend to know anything other than it's not by chance.
Thank you,@@chrisramm1, you spread the word the QUANTUM "What lies beyond?"
Merry Christmas!
Which one of Bach’s was it exactly??
Every Christmas Eve after I have prepared everything for the following day .My lovely husband would get me a glass of sherry and I sat in front of the fire and listened to carols from Kings it was wonderful.Still doing the same thing .But in lock down and we in isolation we are on our own this year .But we arnt going to be sad because we are blessed .we have a family that is well we have a roof over our heads we have food to eat how lucky are we .God bless you all and keep safe
Merry Christmas Liz! We feel exactly the same as you -- how blessed we are.
I'm sitting here listening to the voices and reading your words. They moved me and lifted my spirits. It is a moment of grace to find words that resonate deeply and capture the hope, gratitude and wisdom we need, especially at Christmas, to look forward with optimism. Merry Christmas!
A blessed Christmas to you and your family from another family in lock down over in Portugal. May 2021 be better for all of us.
Hope and pray that we all come out if this difficult situation...soon.Merry Christmas to All.
Yes, Merry Christmas in a difficult time. One can find a number of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services streamed this year or rebroadcast from years past. I just watched Lessons and Carols from Washington Cathedral and will join them on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and for a Christmas Day organ recital. All on their RUclips channel.
Let us reconnect again with our roots .....Jesus is Lord of All and whoever believes in Him will have eternal Life Amen
Tis the season to realize a Savior was born to save from our sins so we can live in our forever home with him.
AMEN!!!!!
Christmas Day alone for the first time in my long life but I feel unexpectedly and intensely happy!
Lucky you! There are so many alone, and it is a novel experience. I'm not quite happy, but not too sad.
Hope that if you are alone still in 2021 a greeting from Australia and a wish for a happy and blessed Christmas will be acceptable Peter.
God bless and keep you, Peter.
Even when all alone
We are never on our own
When we're singing 🎶 ❤
Alone but always precious in His sight.
This is the real deal when it comes to Christmas music.
Very beautiful
Amen, well said ! I love this music and listen to it year round.
I have been a beneficiary of The Choir Of Kings College Carol man Advent Seasons! Exquisitely full of grace. The Lord inhabits the people of His praises.
@Perry Comeau
Come on man, lighten up. You know what the OP means.
Perry Comeau please re-read my comment. I did not say, Christmas is a deal. I said, this is the real deal in Christmas music. "Real deal" is what's called a 'colloquialism'. We use those in the US, I think they're used in many countries. Merry Christmas;)))
My Dad was an Episcopalian priest in the Anglican tradition despite our location in the far western US. So not only did I grow up listening to this sublime music, I also grew up singing it in our pale frontier rendition of an English boys choir. Still listen to this every Christmastide 50+ years later.
I have an English mother (East Anglian)and grew up in a church that was 1/2 British women who married US soldiers, and the other 1/2 Americans who loved to celebrate like the English during any feast day. Grew up with this music, even played the organ in high school. We had Madrigal dinners, Epiphany teas, all that... there's nothing like a Midnight Mass!
For Christmas this year, may I suggest you read any of the works by Cardinal Newman?
Merry christmas over there
@@sheilabang3942 Thank you! And a happy Yuletide to you as well
That's great.....
The beauty of traditional English and Celtic carols is unsurpassed. A genius in the soul of the culture.
I WISH they would play this in the supermarkets, shops etc etc . I'm sick of Santa Claus is comin' to town by Bruce Springsteen.
YEAH!Jesus is the reason for season , not some commercial figure of a man who travels delivering stuff to children,who was based off a famous Saint!People I know make such a big deal about how bad it is for children not believing in Santa,and if it came to God nothing wrong there!And they wouldn't have hymns or carols like this in case it "offends any1"
@@christophergodfrey1003 Well. You certainly have a very religious name! CHRISTopher GODfrey. Amazing!
And assorted Glam rock teeth gritters. The teeth chippings would be enough to grit the M25 for example for a couple of years!
Merry Christmas by the way!
Amen and amen.
That Springsteen version is my favourite version.
This music brought me to tears today, and reconnected me with God in a way that I cannot describe. It's so beautiful, just as the story of our salvation is. Thank you, Jesus.
People say Christmas and Christianity are old and dying, that we haven’t a need for it in our modern world. But the truth is this world is dying, passing away into dust while the glory of Christ liveth on ever brighter.
That's like, your opinion man
The passing away of present things is like just basic physics... man.@@tommyocallaghan4593
@@curtispennington89Personally curtis, I think there's more truth in The Big Lebowski than Corinthians....you don't get to allude to the bible and then invoke physics. Never the twain do meet.
@@JRT5573 Don't try to co-opt physics to prove your superstitions my friend...it smacks of desperation. Believe what you want to...but do not be dishonest about why you believe it.
@@JRT5573 No...facts aren't opinion. That's why the bible and physics are mutually exclusive.
I am german and I have been several times in England.....I love the Evensongs and the choirs....I love England...
evensong in st pauls is one of my favourite things
I would love to visit England! Went to Germany though and was eye opening the differences in culture and lifestyles!
Many Thanks my friend
I'm an American of English descent. There is nothing like the beauty and mystery of English Christmas choral music.
The beauty and culture of this country is no longer appreciated by its own population let alone discovered by the europeans.The autocrats of the EU would and are rapidly destroying everything that is culturally significant. Amazingly the germanic people have timidly given in without saying boo to a goose. Once a proud nation now a cowering wreck.
First heard Coventry Carol about a year ago. That thing makes my toes curl, and induces goosebumps. I was a 'secret' Christmas Carol listener for many years, from the ages of 11 until almost 41 where Christmas celebration was forbidden, and anything associated with Christmas, including all those beautiful Carols and songs were off limits. Then eight years ago, huge changes happened, and I found myself standing outside of my former life, without the security of my former network of beliefs or the safety of the social contracts that were maintained by those who lived by that belief system. Of course, among other things, Christmas music was binged to death in the aftermath, the feeling was euphoric. Sounds almost absurd that someone could be prevented from listening to such beauty, it even seems absurd to me after all this time; so glad I got to enjoy it unimpeded.
So happy for you that you now could experience an expression of the love of Christ. God bless you
Nobody should be forbidden to follow their heart.
The carols are truly beautiful, but the Christ about whom they are written is far more beautiful, and you can have a personal relationship with HIm simply by turning from what the Bible calls sin and asking Him to take up residence in your heart. God bless and Merry Christmas!
I don’t know what Religion or group you were born into that disallowed you from listening to this music, but I am glad you are free to hear it and let it resonate in your heart. I was raised RC but no longer attend in light of the long history of abuse and mysoginy in the Church, but I sang in Choir with my (late) Father for many years so hymns and carols hold special memories for me. The Coventry Carol is a favourite along with Lo, how a Rose ere blooming and The Wexford Carol. I wish you joy and peace in your journey. Try Mozart and American Soprano Kathleen Battle...and get ready for goosebumps, esp. “Mary had a baby” with the Harlem Boy’s Choir. ✌️
So beautiful!
Listen every year and think of my Dad, head choir boy of Bath Abbey 1964. Miss you mate.
As a buddhist, this is beautiful, some Christians really do need to stand up and reclaim christmas because big business and human greed have transmored a spiritual beautiful day into a month long binge eating and booze fest, and its quite simply very sad, and i say this as a buddhist.. the true meaning of christmas is all but lost
At heart Christianity is a contemplative, meditative way of life. This music is a prime example.
You are right Anthony. God bless.
Apologist C S Lewis said in a letter in 1953: " I feel exactly as you do about the horrid commercial racket they have made out of Christmas. I send no cards and give no presents except to children."
Well said Anthony - wishing you a blessed and contemplative holiday season.
The true meaning of Christmas lives in the hearts of all believers. That God loved us so much to send Christ into a broken world to give us an example of humble and sacrificial love. This lives in the hearts of all believers. It is an utterly infectious proposition and the gift of Christmas that our secular world is happy to claim like so many true and pure things. The only problem is that children do not learn that the gift exists entirely in the giving; not receiving...
❤ I listen to this any time of year... brings me closer to God... Jesus is not just for Christmas...😊
At this time of year remember, an act of kindness can take a second of your time, but be felt for a lifetime. Merry Christmas!
❤️
Sitting here in tears, listening to the words of hope in these carols from my childhood many many years ago..
I know... Why does it make me cry? Tears of joy? I'm not sure.
With you there Bobby
I think I'm in good company here, makes me well up too.
Its Beauty of his spirit that makes us cry in joy and we are lacking the beauty and wonder of his love
Wonderful sentiment.
The Brits do the music better than anyone! It is just lovely and on my own it will make Christmas.
The Brits do a better Christmas than anyone... along w the Germans. 🎄🎁🎭🎻🍻🎄🙆
Try listening to Handel's Messiah,just as beautiful
Completely agree. I'm an Irish-American, and the Brits have led the way musically since the British Invasion to America with the Beatles, and so many others. BTW, I read John, Paul and George are half Irish/half English. Only Ringo is a full-blooded English man. Some Irish therein. No sleight on Kings College; I listen to their carols every Christmas time.
@@donboy68 Handel was, of course, part German and part English. Although "Messiah" spans the whole of Christ's life (and before and afer), it remains for me an essential piece of Christmas listening.
My heart jumps for joy when I hear this. When I was a little girl when I would hear choir songs of Christmas...I would say "Mumma the angels in heaven are singing," she would giggle and reply always, "Yes Gi they are" Well now she is with the angels of heaven.
Gigi Bowden-Stewart
That actually bought a tear to my eye, merry Christmas Gigi and I wish you all the warmth and happiness for not just 2018 but for ever more.
Gigi Bowden-Stewart perhaps while you sleep you'll hear her singing to you.
Try Tommy Fleming on utube a great uplifting Christian voice--sings- Angel
I feel the same way an I loss my mom in October 2019 she loved Christmas carols so she is in heaven hearing all the Angels singing an given King Jesus all the Glory for his Mercy an Grace for all mankind.
😢
It's so sad that our society has completely removed it's self from God. Many comments are saying this music is so beautiful yet they are failing to see that what makes it so is the sacredness of it. Humans were made to be with God and praise him. Viva Cristo Rey! May the truth of Jesus Christ set us free! Merry Christmas.
May the Lord bless you and keep you all safe, In Jesus name amen
God bless you all and be thankful for the birth of Christ for he is our salvation.
Amen! May God bless you too! Have a wonderful Christmas!
When I was a kid, my father used to play the King's College Choir record when it was Christmas. For me, although still in the Netherlands, it's the ultimate Christmas music.
We're glad you enjoyed this music and that we are able to bring a bit of your past back to life. Fijne kerstdagen!
The same story for me but in England. When my dad died my mum got rid of all his records, this is the one I miss the most 😢
Janine, I would like to wish you a Peaceful Christmas don't hurt your self skating on the canals !
I heartily agree. The pure voices and the beautiful music heal my heart. Thank you.
we love the kings college tv special every christmas eve
Absolutely beautiful!! This sacred choral music is an oasis for my soul. It confirms that despite living in a noisy, conflict-ridden and troubled world, we are still safely cradled in God’s gentle hands.
Amen!
Yes, and here is what this trouble world needs to hear.
Please watch and share. ruclips.net/video/Z2QGer_02lI/видео.html Merry Christmas.
Amen!
This comfort is available daily when we accept Christ as Lord and Saviour!
Amen! ❤
As we listen to this beautiful music let us not forget how blessed we are by our judeo Christian heritage. Thank God for Jesus.
00:00:00 Once in royal David’s city
00:04:41 Rejoice and be merry
00:06:11 Ding dong, merrily on high
00:08:19 What Sweeter Music
00:12:37 O little town of Bethlehem
00:16:17 A Spotless Rose
00:19:25 Heer Jezus heeft een hofken (organ variations)
00:26:44 King Jesus hath a garden
00:30:10 The Lamb
00:33:39 Bogoróditse Dyévo
00:34:55 Infant holy, infant lowly
00:36:43 Illuminare, Jerusalem
00:39:12 While shepherds watched
00:41:54 Quittez, pasteurs
00:45:05 In dulci jubilo (organ prelude)
00:48:06 In dulci jubilo
00:50:46 The First Nowell
00:56:09 Coventry Carol
00:59:17 Personent hodie
01:01:49 O come all ye faithful
Thank you very much!
Thank you!! Now, to get this pinned to the top...
Thank you for this!
@@andreawallenberger2668 Thank you for posting this table of contents, an essential resource for a long anthology such as this video.
A quick editorial comment: while I often feel I can take or leave John Rutter's music, What Sweeter Music is exquisitely beautiful. It's a joy to find it here.
Most kind of you to put links for each piece.
For me Christmas is about Jesus who gave the world the greatest of all gifts. Eternal life for all who come to him.
My Bible-thumping mother used to to say about music like this: "Very nice, but none of them believe a word of the Gospel." She had a particular hate on for Handel's Messiah.
@@studentjohn35 God alone knows the secrets of the heart. He knows His sheep and they hear Him.Millions profess Him but do not posses Him, very sad.
@@studentjohn35 It's a terrible thing to find such things in someone close to you. My mother was raised in a Depression-era "Bible-thumper" household, where choirs and music like this were called "un-Christian." When she left home, she joined and was confirmed in the Anglican church. My dad sang in good choirs his whole life, so I was (luckily) exposed to music like this from an early age. I was fortunate.
@@robertmilitello7117 As you say, there are those who shout about their own "Christian" purity while dismissing others. Yet many of these people will recite chapter and verse without ever giving a thought to the meaning or message of "The Word" they speak.
It's all a myth, the Jesus bit ,but just enjoy the singing.
This brings those feelings of real christmas and such a pleasure to listen to
Every year, for a around 14 years now...every Christmas Eve after the kids settle in for the night, I pour myself a nightcap and just melt into my easy chair and let this take me away to where it all began...
I love that music doesn't replace logic and reason. Rather, it makes sense out of everything. Makes life worth living.
...Except for the organ variation at 21:20... XD
Right on Brett! Dave Bradford
TOTALLY, BRETT!!! THIS IS SUCH A TRUTH!!!! I love you for saying it!!!
maybe it makes sense out of logic, even (if that makes sense!) If there was only logic, but no music, what worth would there be to live?
Brett Manning, you've the best analysis of all the "inspired" commentators here. Happiest of Christmasses.
I have been listening to it again and again during this pandemic. Christmas is ageless; unlike fashion it does not need to be recycled.
what a joy it is to listen to recordings that leave out Rudolph, the Little Drummer Boy and Frosty!
Not to mention Santa Baby, Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, and Jingle Bell Rock
Yeah none of those songs have nothing to do with what Christmas is about,after all Christmas is about the birth of the son of God who was born of a virgin mother , to then one day die upon the cross for all us men and women then to conquer death by resurrecting on the third day
@@frankturlough1381 Hey there's no need for that. If a song is great doesn't matter who it's written by. You sound like a very angry hated filled person I'm sorry to say.
@@frankturlough1381 Careful...........He is still called "KING OF THE JEWS, AND LORD OF LORDS!!" you would do well to show respect and honor instead of profanity.....
You mean collections of actual CHRISTMAS music, not "Holiday music", much of which is actually just "winter songs". "Jingle Bells" has nothing to do with Christmas, it was a song written for young people to sing to the sound of sleighbells while out "sparking" in their cozy sleighs in the 19th century. "Frosty" is a silly kids' song about an animated snowman (sorry, snowperson, of course I meant). "Drummer Boy" is at least an actual Christmas song, although kind of nonsensical. Most of the other ones they play are just songs from the mid-20th Century about the holiday season, not about Christmas (Silver Bells, Beginning to Look Like Christmas, etc), but those are halfway acceptable. Other ones are just pop songs that happen to mention the subject of Christmas ("Last Christmas I gave you my heart"; Blue Christmas, the Jackson Five, etc). No, for me Christmas music is CHRISTMAS music, about Christ, and reflective of the original mysterious, meaningful holiday, before it was just a stressful party time that everyone pretended to love but actually dreaded because they are expected to spend a lot of money they can't afford on stuff that no one needs, fight with crowds in stores, plan events, hold parties, hang up lights, "take the tree down from the attic", or go buy one "fresh" if you are old fashioned (or go out and cut down an actual spindly, real balsam fir like us cavemen). They've ruined this holiday in so many ways, it's sacreligious, evil....and I'm not even a "religious" person in the typical sense of the word. I just have respect and honor the tradition and I think it's sick how they've exploited and ruined what was an important and wonderful tradition because the economy improves and the stock market goes up the more they can coerce people into spending money.
Through the years I have been privileged a few times to hear Kings College during Advent and Christmastide. The most poignant was Christmas Eve 2012. Having arrived in Kabul for the first time on the previous day, I hungered for sounds of the Season and was blessed to find that year’s presentation on my small shortwave radio receiver. It was truly a time of worship and celebration!
Wow! That's a memory that must fill you will gratitude ! All Gods best to you. I've been in distant continents and can relate. Blessing you from Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦
small blessings are great blessings
Replying to your message on December 9 2021 MY FAMILY/FRIEND “ ENJOYING A CUP OF WHAT WE CUP
HAPPY 😃 NEW YEARS ONCE AND FOREVER MORE NEVER TO BE COUNTED AS SUCH RULE OF THUMB ✌️
I had the privilege of attending the Festival of Lessons and Carols at King's College Chapel. It is truly beautiful. "Once in Royal David's City" is a hymn I grew up with. Still, it has never lost its power and glory.
You must of felt like you were in heaven
@@diamondeyes1559 Actually, I arrived after an overnight flight to London, so I arrived in Cambridge already bleary eyed. Even so, it was a beautiful and memorable few hours. Go, if you can.
Listening to these carols takes me back to being a choir boy both at my local church and at school. I used to look forward so much to Christmas for the carol singing alone.
Ahhhh...So Wonderful!! Beautiful memories!!
God Bless your heart
I have no idea what Heaven might be like, but I hope that it like this, Heavenly singing.
Thanks for he beauty of this on earth.
Thanks for listening!
My late mother always put this on TV at Christmas as it was an annual event. Such beautiful music....
My parents did the same. Wonderful memories and music
My mother-in-law did the same. Wonderful memories indeed.
I come here every Christmas Eve,as a catholic I was brought up with these carols every Christmas. This collection brings peace to me every year. I listen to punk indie music every day of the year however Christmas Eve I’m here with this on. Just shows power of god and his music, god bless everybody and a merry Christmas x
I am German, I thank you very much for the beautiful Christmas music. A blessed Christmas season to all! Thank you very much for allowing me to listen here. 🎄
Stille Nacht.
@@maxgregorycompositions6216 One of my Christmas carols and amazing in both the original German language and in English
King's College is the choir by which all other choirs in the world are measured. They have been doing this service for generations. I was weaned on this music as a young chorister, and I sang their Service of Lessons and Carols all the way through college (as a soloist as well), and beyond. My mother first introduced them to me when I was only 5 , and I was hooked. My whole family sang in the church choir with a brilliant organist and director (who has cut albums with our choirs repeatedly), and I have recordings of Kings all over the house. I listen to them all year long, and I have so much music memorized from various services over the years. These young choristers, choral scholars and full choir members are truly an inspiration for all of us, and you don't have to be Christian to enjoy simply beautiful, sublime music throughout the ages. During Covid-19, I suggest that we all sit and really listen to the text and the harmonies to truly appreciate the fact that we shall get through this dark time in history to emerge stronger on the other side. Sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful, and each time this choir performs, they prove it. Thank you, King's, you guys are terrific!
I have this CD and love the Carols. It reminds me of my time in my mixed school choir in 1975. My first crush was on a lovely girl who joined our choir with her friends from the convent across the road from our college. I heard she died a decade ago. Once in Royal David's city is my favourite carol. Peace, Joy and Happiness to everyone in these difficult times.
That first crush is always special, isn't it? Never leaves you.
Listening to this on Christmas Eve in Germany. God bless you all!!
God bless you from Texas!
@@vigilantegal God bless all!!! May we come together and heal our troubled world soon.
Merry Christmas to all and a happy New Year. God willing it will be better for all.
Same to you!
God bless all!!! May we come together and heal our troubled world soon.
Yes everybody a merry christmas. God bless you with His peace. Enjoy the Christmas Carols. They are beautiful.
God Love and Bless all of us .
I have listened to Kings on every Christmas eve for over 40 years now wonderful and uplifting !!
Me too! Blessings of a healthy, happy Christmas to you!
God bless the Choir of King's College.
And God bless Boris Ord and David Willcocks who did so much in the middle part of the 20th century to make the choir what it is today.
May our LORD and SAviour BE Exalted for Ever!! This is a great blessing!
I have been truly privileged to hear this wonderful choir throughout my life, under their respective Directors of Music, from Boris Ord,
Sir David Willcocks, Sir Phillip Ledger, and Sir Stephen Cleobury, who, sadly passed away recently, having served Kings for some 37 years.
The annual BBC Christmas Eve Service at 3.00 p.m. is a must for anyone wishing to hear this glorious choir, and rejoice in the birth of our
Lord Jesus. This beautiful recording totally encapsulates everything special about Kings. We now greet Daniel Hyde as Director of Music, and wish him many happy years at King’s.
I listen at 11am Christmas Eve here in Canada... behind you by a few hours... keeps me company while preparing, wrapping, cooking, for Christmas
Beautiful sentiments.
My son sang all these in a boy choir for 10 years. It was indeed glorious especially since he and several others had such good voices and could sing very porfessionally. He sang many, many solos including the entrance to Once in Royal David's City.
I might be repeating myself because I’m techy incapable and don’t know if the first time I replied went through. Here goes again, I am so inspired when I listen to the hymns that express the depth of God’s love for us in a time of darkness.
We are a lost nation I despair and am uplifted by all of these xxx
I was deeply unhappy at my prep school. Soon after the beginning of the Christmas holidays and blessed deliverance, my mother would drive with me down to my aunt's house in Sussex. We were made so welcome there! Sweet memories of returning to a familiar place. It was always my job to put up the holly around her house on Christmas Eve. Christmas carols from King's would be playing, the same music we had sung at school shortly before the beginning of the longed for Christmas holidays. So it is that I associate this music with intense happiness; but beyond that, this church music displays what DH Lawrence called the reverence for life a reverence which binds (religio) man to man and man to God.
Your story brightens my heart . . If this music does not awaken the soul to the Creator, nothing will !!!
Majestic voices that touch the Heavens
You should listen to Vienna boys..omg
@@deerinheadlights100 As good as the Vienna Boys' Choir is, this choir is superior, in my opinion. I have been fortunate enough to see both of them perform in person, too. Both amazing shows, but the the King's College Choir was better.
It was actually the beautiful choral musics of King's that brought me to God. Alleluia.
Moo
Helen, Boo
That doesn't make sense. Whether God exists or not must be a matter of fact and logic. There is no logic involved with 'I love this music, therefore God'. You might as well say, "that was a lovely lasagne, therefore Thor". What the music has brought you to is not God but spiritual and heightened emotional feelings. Enjoy those feelings and don't feel guilty about them. You don't need 'God' to justify them.
Richard Durant Sacred Christian music can contain the Gospel message as well as evoking a emotional response from the listener, so yes a person could claim that as part of their conversion story.
Yep, that makes sense.
I'm not particularly religious, but I was raised on this and to this day beautifully sung carols in an echo-y church gives me chills, so beautiful :)
I am so glad to be Episcopalian, they have the best music. I am an Anglophile (& a bit of a Celtophile as well). I love beautifully sung carols in an echo-y church. My most favorite is O Little Town of Bethlehem (the FOREST GREEN tune, of course).
@@claireakaforestgreenorgang9506 _8
Same!
The ultimate Christmas music! Sending Peace, Love and Joy!
As a Brit living in Canada --- I miss all the English carols at Christmas
Goodness, I learned all these carols growing up in Canada! Where are you living? Listen to fm Radio.
@@janemoody5169 try listening to the Wexford Carol? beautiful carol
Jane Moody I grew up in England, came to Canada at twenty six, I noticed that some of the tunes sung here are not the same. This recording is bliss. Christmas Carols make me cry, don’t know why. Happy Christmas everyone, where ever you may be.💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
This is why God created the internet .
try and scope out an Anglican Church.... I attend a Carol Service each Year in Toronto...Organ, Trumpets, Kettledrums, Chimes, Brass and combined Choir. It's the Best thing to start off the Season!
last year I heard this music for the first time. I wondered how it has touched me cause I am not christian, but this music can really move one´ s heart .
That's the point of good Christian music. It teaches the heart.
You don't need to be a Christian. It's all about the beauty of it, and what it evokes. I'm an atheist and I have always loved, and been stirred, by this music.
It’s the authenticity for me.
These Christian carols move your heart because the Spirit of the Living God is calling you. It’s not about emotion. The music is beautiful, to be sure. But the truth is, these songs glorify the birth of the only begotten Son of God. The Hebrews sacrificed an unblemished lamb for their sins, in anticipation of the perfect Lamb of God who would come one day as their Messiah. They didn’t recognize Him, as they were looking for an earthly king. Jesus Christ will reign as King on this earth in the Millenial kingdom. But His first coming was as a humble servant. This was prophesied hundreds of years before the birth of the Savior. They wanted out from under the Roman government and were blinded by their own desires. So blinded that they never saw the Gift among them. Their long awaited Messiah. Instead they cried out for the release of Barabbas, a notorious criminal, and sent their Savior to the cross to die. He shed His blood on that cross for your sins and the sins of the whole world. He rose again from the dead on the third day, so that all who believe on His name would be saved. That is the Gospel. That is the Good News. That is the reason for the season.
Luk 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
These beautiful Christmas Carols fill my soul with peace and joy!
As an Anglophile in Bowie, Maryland, I wish one and all joy, peace, and love for Christmas 2019 and the new year 2020.
Reciproated
Wishing you all the very best at Christmas and beyond 🇬🇧🎄🇺🇸
My most beloved Cristmas was some 40years ago in St Albans on midnight servic. I am still greatful and thank my friends Doug and Simone for this gift. Many best whishes to you all and a Happy and Healthy 2020.
These Traditional Classics, sung by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge truly takes your mind off the prohibitive pandemic, anchoring our Holiday. They place Wings on a Holiday that would otherwise be Mired in Worry. Have a healthy, and happy Holiday, Friends...
As I listened, I was transported in my mind's eye to another world. As I consider my life, the music reminds me that there is hope of a life beyond this world.
Beautiful. Merry Christmas everyone around the world. God bless you all.
Thank you for posting this beautiful choir. I am eternally grateful to a music teacher, Mr Waldren, at my junior school in Winchester back in 1958. He took us for music the whole time I was there. He said, 'if you can speak, you can sing'. Our school choir was competitive but it's only now that I see how very lucky I have been. Every school should have a Mr. Waldren. He was my saviour through a very difficult childhood. Now I am in a Chorale and get to sing beautiful songs with all the discipline I remembered from 1958. Thanks sir.
Hi, I agree with you this voices are beautiful, and I feel glad for you to have had such a wonderful teacher, there's one in my personal history too, all students need teachers like those who teach how to love what you do. I also love music since I was a little girl and have been part of several choirs during my life, I really really love it and enjoy it tremendously, but despite I´ve learned a lot of things (theory and practical) I always made it as a hobby... It would've been great for me to be a professional in this subject. Merry Christmas and best wishes for you and your beloved ones :).
maureen rhysjones a nice tribute to your teacher
Beautiful..... I am Greek but was raised multicultural...English carols are always very moving to me as much so as our own Greek traditional carols...
in these very trying times for all indeed I cherish what I have and pray for a better future for all of us...may the holiday season be safe and May 2021 bring light and health....
Here again.
Thanking God for the gift of life 🙏🏻
This is so beautiful and reminds me of Christmas times when my brother was a boy soprano and when we both sang in Choirs in England and once at Canterbury Cathedral as part of an augmented choir.
❤️
I am listening to this, as I am having my second cup of tea, in my little cottage, here in the country. How sublime! Thank you for uploading. Greatly appreciated.
The ultimate in Christmas music.
Exceptional. King's set the standard all others can only aspire to. Perfection.
Truth expressed in glorious music.
.. we shall see him, but in heaven,
set at God's right hand on high;
when like stars his children crowned
all in white shall wait around.
Amen!
The most beautiful English Carols I have ever heard!!! I wish I could join the choir of Kings College. I still practice my voice in chanting Gregorian chants.
As an exiled Englishman sweltering during an Australian Christmas it's very difficult to not tear up.
It reminds me of that movie The Proposition.
As for me, I'm in Vietnam, where Christmas changes name every year. This time it's known as Wednesday.
Lucky ****
@Paula Alquist Thanks! You made me feel better! For every white Christmas in England there are 10 dark and rainy ones! Makes me appreciate the Antipodean sunshine a bit more!
What transpired, if I may be so bold as to inquire, as to lead to your exilement?
I listen to this all year round. It's beautiful.
Yea ... me too.
I'm listening, 12/21/20 I love this because it is authentic church music, well sung and worshipful.
One of the best carol albums ever published. Many thanks
Magnificent harmony - it echoes angelic worship.
Wow, The Lamb is just transcendent, I can't believe music can sound this good. Once the polyphony starts it's like I'm going up a solemn staircase to heaven.
It is indeed an ethereal sound - like traveling in a snowy dream where the sparkling landscape has a blue cast to it -icy cold but oh so warm.
It's a glorious example of how a composer (John Taverner, in this case) can do a lot with a little - no massive vocal trills or hitting top notes, and yet it sounds haunting and stays with you for a long time after.
Wonderful ✝️🌹🎄
Merry Christmas to all. It is amazing how an imperfect creature as a human can make such glorious music. God bless us one and all.
Ein wunderbarerer Chor - da geht einem das Herz auf!!!!!!!
Wonderful
What i like about all of this is the lovely comments i have read below, am i wrong in thinking that they are written by good people, the kind that makes life more enjoyable and caring for us all.
We've always had our comments filled with lovely people and we couldn't be more happy with this community!
Happy Christmas and thank you, Brilliant Classics. This choir is one of Christendom's most beauteous treasures.
God bless you guys. God will bless people who actually follow Him boldly. Pick up your cross daily. Let God forever be the loving and sovereign God. But I will be praying for You Jon Smith that you will find the LORD. Because He will change your mind and heart no one else can. Anyone who is reading this I know God will be glorified. Let Him be praised forever amen. Please Jon give this loving God a chance. He had died for you and He wants a personal relationship with you. No other religion is like that. He wants to love you and care for you. He needs you to be part of His family. But whatever you choose know that. God bless everyone who is the following of the LORD! See you guys on the other side of Heaven.
Your sister Michaela
I'm listening to this beautiful music! 24 Dec 2020 in the USA 🇺🇸
Edit: Singing praise to God with parts of the recording at the top of my lungs!
This is my Christmas... my grandma loved kings college Christmas carols... now I do too. Merry Christmas to all! Stay safe and well.❤️🙏🇦🇺🇬🇧
This insane Texan army veteran of Mexican ancestry thoroughly enjoyed 00:00:00 Once in Royal David’s City, 00:06:11 Ding Dong, Merrily on High, 00:12:37 O Little Town of Bethlehem, 00:33:39 Bogoróditse Dyévo, 00:39:12 While Shepherds Watched, 00:41:54 Quittez, Pasteurs, 00:50:46 The First Nowell, 00:56:09 Coventry Carol, 00:59:17 Personent Hodie, and 01:01:49 O Come All Ye Faithful.
Listened to them every Xmas from the BBC. Still have two of their LPs fro the 1960s . Merry Xmas to you also
It is beautiful. I can't imagine Christmas without carols. But due to covid we are not allowed to sing in choirs. I'm missing it so much and now when Christmas Holiday is coming I am so sad that we are not going to sing these songs on the mass.
Just listen to the huge selection of carols on Utube.That may do the trick for you,while these different times are different for all of us.
My church choir is going ahead with Xmas eve Mass. Of course, I am conflicted, but have decided not to sing with them. I am very upset that I have had to make this decision. Not even sure it's safe to go hear them. Don't know yet what I will do on Xmas Eve.
So sublime, during this time of Advent, preparing for Christmas - so beautiful, I couldn’t imagine the season without music.
Getting my home ready. Wrapping gifts. Cooking. Got to have this music playing.
This takes me back to my childhood ... the 80's nd 90's
Christmas Eve, mince pie making, a glass of sherry and Carols from Kings. Ahhh, nothing like it❤️
so right, Sue!
in the kitchen preparing food for christmas day and listening to the choir merry christmas from wales
Hear hear!! Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year, Sue. -- David Eilers in North Carolina, US
@@davideilers4850 belated merry christmas david but Happy New Year 2020 !!!
How perfectly wonderful! Thank you, King's Choir for lifting our spirits through your beautiful voices.
The Lamb o it just fills me with melancholy and a sadness of the Christmas that are gone. It’s my favourite time of the year and I am constantly going back to anything to do with Christmas our Lords birth all year round. The singing is so beautiful 😍
This is the best choir for my Christmas carols with my family here in Tonga island, South West Pacific ocean.
Blessed Christmas to my Tongan brothers and sisters!
It's the best choir, period. I've loved the King's College Choir ever since I first heard them on the radio in 1994. I live in America, by the way.
'Best' choir? Difficult choice - King's obviously; St John's down the road, New and Christ Church at t'other place. And then, if one doesn't mind female voices up top, there's always Trinity Cambridge. I will say that the acoustic of King's tops the lot though.
@@paulcaswell2813 I don't mind female voices but I like men and boys choirs better because that's the English tradition. I am an American Anglophile. By the way, I like the phrase "t'other" for "the other". It's a cute contraction. On that note, pun intended, I will say that t'other choirs are good but King's is the best (in my opinion).
Merry Christmas to you and yours from the East Coast of the USA.
Have been searching for hours to find "real christmas carols". So many versions but none are what i used to sing in church in the UK. Thank you. Merry christmas to all.