Top 5 Christmas Hymns

Though the Consigliere and I are crucifixionists, the key to our faith being not the miracle of resurrection, but the superhuman sacrifice and love endured by Jesus via The Passion story, nonetheless, we are great fans of the celebration of the Christ's Mass. Thus, I am inspired to list my 5 favorite hymns which mark the Advent season, and celebrate the miracle birth of The Son of God. They are:



5. O Come O Come Emmanuel

For 700 years, the Jews waited for the coming of the Messiah prophesized by Isaiah. This innocent babe, the realization of God incarnate was foretold, and came to pass. There is no more beautiful portrayal of this story than this traditional Advent hymn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdSMM3RSv9I&feature=related



4. What Child is This

I am nothing if not a believer in second chances. Funnily, it seems that my Christian faith is envisaged in a God who portrays this belief. In fact, the gift of the Christ child was meant to be a second chance for man. Nowhere is this better than dispalyed than through this hymn. It was written by W.C. Dix, who was felled by illness and depression that nearly killed him, yet was given a second chance by God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz44GJlSPeo&feature=related



3. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

From the Gospel of Luke, "an angel of the Lord visits shepherds guarding their flocks in nearby fields and brings them good news of great joy for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.and you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. The angel is joined by a heavenly host saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." The shepherds hurry to the manger in Bethlehem where they find Jesus with Mary and Joseph. They repeat what they have been told by the angel, and then return to their flocks." This is epitomized in this hymn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shr4O1qGXB4



2. O Come Let Us Adore Him

Before Isaiah, Micah prophesizes of a savior from the line of King David, nearly 800 years before Jesus' birth. An angel in the form of a star leads The Magi across the Orient to pay homage to the newborn Son of God. Their story is exemplified, and attached to all of us, through this hymn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z-j5LetzEE



1. O Holy Night

Cooly enough, this was one of the first AM radio broadcasts. The entire nativity is summed up, for me, in this classic. It gives me chills every time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFxQYbGKuYo&feature=related

It is also featured in one of my cinematic favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFynECEfw5w



Merry Christmas to all, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.



Share your Top 5's.