For many, this is the season to burst into song!

  Down through the ages, music has played an important role in Christmas celebrations. Some churches and universities hold special musical events during the holiday season. Each Christmas, many people look forward to hearing composer George Frideric Handel’s beloved Messiah, written in 1741.

  Families also enjoy more contemporary songs such as “White Christmas.” They sing these and other favorite songs of the season. There is ample Christmas music to enjoy during the holidays, and carols remain a favorite for many around the world. A carol is a traditional song of praise or joy that often originated from a poem or from the Bible. They almost always focus on the birth of Jesus.

  One of my favorite carols is, “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child,” by Joseph Cook, written in 1919. The words and melody are very simple, but the song itself is rich in meaning. It clearly describes the events surrounding the birth of Jesus and the importance of that event to the world.