And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:10-14 ESV).
One of the most recognizable Christmas tunes of all time is Carol of the Bells. However, the signature four-note melody, appropriately bell-like in sound and movement, has some surprising origins. Believe it or not, Carol of the Bells was not originally a Christmas song at all. Based on folk music, Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych wrote the original version called Shchedryk (“Bountiful Evening”) in 1916 for a choral commission. Shchedryk spoke of the coming new year, which (due to pre-Christian Ukraine) happened in April with the beginning of spring. The song tells a story of a little swallow flying into a house to proclaim glad spring tidings and a bountiful new year.
Then came American Peter J. Wilhousky a few years later. Upon hearing the melody, he thought the four-note motif sounded like bells – so he wrote some new lyrics, which remain today. Because Wilhousky was a symphonic arranger for the NBC Symphony Orchestra, his arrangement aired on the radio during the Great Depression and resonated with listeners everywhere. If ever there was a time like that terrible time in our nations history, this seems to be such a time. So, this day, hum or sing along with Pentatonix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSUFzC6_fp8) letting the joy of this day wash over you… Merry Christmas!
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