Usually, I fill June programs with patriotic music. Between Memorial Day, the anniversary of D-Day and the upcoming 4th of July, this seems like the season to stir the spirit with songs like America the Beautiful, Salute to the Armed Forces (which sounds surprisingly good on a harp) and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
But this month is a bit different. For June 2015, I’m playing O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard on High and The Little Drummer Boy.
Explanation? I’m making a Christmas CD!
The most common question from people who bought my first CD, The Joy We Share, was “When are you making a Christmas CD?” The answer is this year! The last week of June I will record a CD of all the Christmas Carols you asked for. We will produce it in July, put it into production in August and plan to have it available for purchase in September.
Which means that while my family is grilling hot dogs outside, and the corn is shooting up in the fields, I am practicing Christmas carols! If you are at one of my June programs, you will be treated to a special preview, a Christmas in June.
Of course, I can’t abandon my patriotic songs, so you will hear a few of those as well. And last week, when I played The Battle Hymn of the Republic back to back with O Holy Night, I realized how these two oft requested songs from totally different seasons correspond.
Think of the second verse of O Holy Night
“Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.”
This beloved carol was written by a Frenchman, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, in 1847, then translated into the familiar English version by John Sullivan Dwight. A scant 18 years later as the Civil War split America, Julia W. Howe also united the ideas of Christ’s birth and fighting for freedom in the third verse of The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
“In the beauty of the lilies,
Christ was born across the sea
With a glory in His bosom that
Transfigures you and me.
As He died to make men holy,
Let us live to make men free.”
By his birth, Christ made a commitment to live and die for our freedom. That Christmas spirit doesn’t end in December anymore than the patriotic spirit stops after July 4th. The commitment to a love that desires freedom and to a joy which keeps us marching is for all seasons. That love makes Christmas carols appropriate in June.
May you find that freedom as you celebrate this season—hopefully outdoors with hotdogs and fireworks!
Stay in touch to hear how the CD is coming and if you would like to pre-order the Christmas CD send me your name, phone or email and address.
Keep listening for Joy!