Christmas music, in the form of carols, songs, stringed or instrumental renditions, is constantly heard during the Christmas season. Music forms the background against which everything else takes place to make the Christmas season different from all others. Christmas music plays such a significant role that during the entire season, other popular music temporarily disappears from radio. That may be the reason for all the different types of Christmas music - sacred, secular, popular, and traditional - that have emerged throughout the years.
Popular and secular renditions of Christmas music have been developed by musical artists and performers who “make over” classic styles of Christmas music with their own personal touch. One reason for popular makeovers of Christmas music may be because regular popular music is not heard much during the holiday season, so pop musicians and artists do Christmas music to keep their voices always in earshot of their fans and the general audience. It could also be that they want to capitalize on the popularity of Christmas music.
Whatever the reason, it has become a trend for popular musical artists to release new Christmas, or holiday, music albums during the season. Since variety is the spice of life, it means there are more variations of secular, sacred, classical or traditional, and popular renditions of Christmas music to be heard.
Music at Christmas time is important to create the right mood. The prevalence of Christmas music is what helps to create the special holiday feeling or spirit that is present everywhere and among everyone. Everyone has particular Christmas songs and carols that are favorites, maybe for the melody, the lyrics, or because they are reminders of special memories.
The most popular Christmas song is said to be “White Christmas,” which is popular even in warm and tropical climates where people sing of “dreaming of a White Christmas,” which in reality they would not want. Other popular Christmas songs and carols are: Away in a Manger, which tells the Nativity story in song; O Holy Night; Silent Night; Joy to the World; Hark the Herald Angels Sing; and Angels We Have Heard on High.
All of these songs are sacred and are all about the story of Jesus' birth. Also of note is Handel’s majestic “Hallelujah Chorus,” which is a favorite that choirs like to sing because of the splendor embodied in the music. Nat King Cole's “Chestnut Roasting On an Open Fire” is a classical favorite. It defies categorization as it isn't sacred but is also not considered secular like a song such as “Sleigh Ride.”
Among secular Christmas songs, there are also funny ones such as “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The availability of a wide Christmas music selection makes it possible to choose songs for different occasions, such as for general use at home, for a fun or informal party, or for a formal dinner. As an example, selections can be made to create the right mood at the start of a party, followed by more lively music when the party is in full swing, and then selections to slow down the pace when the party is nearing its end.
It's also important to note that professional groups such as choirs, symphonies, and orchestras will also record performances of Christmas music on albums. For the very serious and critical music aficionados, these albums will provide wonderful listening pleasure and also make good Christmas presents. Listening to music from these groups is a way of enjoying their performances if you don’t get the opportunity to attend a live concert by the professional group.
Whatever selections of Christmas music are made, it's likely that it will create a festive mood and spirit among all who hear the music.
Showing posts with label carols. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carols. Show all posts
Friday, October 10, 2008
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Christmas Festivities
Christmas is described as a festive season, therefore, we should all engage in activities during the season that provide entertainment and merriment, and those that give pleasure. Because Christmas is about celebration, many types of festivities can be found to suit all preferences for making the season a joyful one.
A readily available option is watching Christmas movies. This can be done from the comfort of home or by spending a few hours out at the theater. A wonderful option now available for movies is renting them via the Internet. It allows you to get any movie you want to see - whether traditional, popular, or a remake of an original title. There is fairly easy access to obscure movie titles, as well as movies with holiday or Christmas themes.
Although Christmas movies embody the spirit of the season, you can also take time out during Christmas to enjoy new releases that may, or may not, have a holiday theme. Christmas is a good time to catch notable new releases because they are timed to be shown in theaters before the end of the year to be considered for Oscar nominations.
Performances of Christmas plays that depict the Nativity scene are another popular entertainment during Christmas. Although these performances are done year after year, they never grow old because of creative differences in interpreting the story and in how each role is performed by different actors every year.
The dramatization of the Nativity demonstrates the meaning of Christmas and can also simplify the meaning of Christmas for children. Participation in the Nativity is also an important activity for children in drama groups at schools and churches.
Along with depicting the meaning of Christmas, the Nativity play also portrays moral lessons that can serve as an inspiration for becoming a more spiritual person and living a better life. Watching or taking part in the Nativity play at Christmas can affect your attitude and your outlook on life.
Musical entertainment at Christmas can come from pausing during shopping to listen to a choral group at the mall or downtown. It can also be entertaining to simply hum along to a Christmas carol or a song being played on the radio. Carols, as a tradition at Christmas, are said to originate in England and France in the Middle Ages. At the time, carols were dances accompanied by singing. The tradition that Anglo-Saxons preferred was to have small choirs gather on the village green and sing carols and Christmas songs to passersby. Over time, the meaning of the word changed to refer to only certain types of songs.
The tradition of carols is also believed to have evolved from the angels, shepherds, and Wise Men who bowed down to sing praises and to worship Baby Jesus. For those who are really lovers of the arts, professional groups like orchestras, symphonies, conservatories, and choirs offer splendid concerts during Christmas. They will also sing Christmas carols and songs; but the harmony of their voices, accompanied by a full complement of instruments, provides a richer and more melodious rendition of the carols that is unlikely to be heard anywhere else.
Probably the most popular festivities at Christmas are parties, which seem to happen everywhere, and at all times, during the Christmas season. There are parties at work, home, with friends, and class parties at school. Even social hubs, such as bars, may have special nights with different foods and lower-priced drinks during Christmas.
It seems there is no end to the festivities during Christmas. It's important to have a good time but also to remember the unfortunate and to reach out to them, and to have fun but in a responsible manner.
A readily available option is watching Christmas movies. This can be done from the comfort of home or by spending a few hours out at the theater. A wonderful option now available for movies is renting them via the Internet. It allows you to get any movie you want to see - whether traditional, popular, or a remake of an original title. There is fairly easy access to obscure movie titles, as well as movies with holiday or Christmas themes.
Although Christmas movies embody the spirit of the season, you can also take time out during Christmas to enjoy new releases that may, or may not, have a holiday theme. Christmas is a good time to catch notable new releases because they are timed to be shown in theaters before the end of the year to be considered for Oscar nominations.
Performances of Christmas plays that depict the Nativity scene are another popular entertainment during Christmas. Although these performances are done year after year, they never grow old because of creative differences in interpreting the story and in how each role is performed by different actors every year.
The dramatization of the Nativity demonstrates the meaning of Christmas and can also simplify the meaning of Christmas for children. Participation in the Nativity is also an important activity for children in drama groups at schools and churches.
Along with depicting the meaning of Christmas, the Nativity play also portrays moral lessons that can serve as an inspiration for becoming a more spiritual person and living a better life. Watching or taking part in the Nativity play at Christmas can affect your attitude and your outlook on life.
Musical entertainment at Christmas can come from pausing during shopping to listen to a choral group at the mall or downtown. It can also be entertaining to simply hum along to a Christmas carol or a song being played on the radio. Carols, as a tradition at Christmas, are said to originate in England and France in the Middle Ages. At the time, carols were dances accompanied by singing. The tradition that Anglo-Saxons preferred was to have small choirs gather on the village green and sing carols and Christmas songs to passersby. Over time, the meaning of the word changed to refer to only certain types of songs.
The tradition of carols is also believed to have evolved from the angels, shepherds, and Wise Men who bowed down to sing praises and to worship Baby Jesus. For those who are really lovers of the arts, professional groups like orchestras, symphonies, conservatories, and choirs offer splendid concerts during Christmas. They will also sing Christmas carols and songs; but the harmony of their voices, accompanied by a full complement of instruments, provides a richer and more melodious rendition of the carols that is unlikely to be heard anywhere else.
Probably the most popular festivities at Christmas are parties, which seem to happen everywhere, and at all times, during the Christmas season. There are parties at work, home, with friends, and class parties at school. Even social hubs, such as bars, may have special nights with different foods and lower-priced drinks during Christmas.
It seems there is no end to the festivities during Christmas. It's important to have a good time but also to remember the unfortunate and to reach out to them, and to have fun but in a responsible manner.
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