Joy to the World; the music of Christmas Podcast 2022

 
Picture taken from Apollo 17 crew
December 7, 1972 – 50 years ago
 
 
Joy to the world describes God’s love coming down in the form of Jesus. Jesus, the son of God and son of Man. Jesus the one who helps us know what it means to live an abundant life in this world as we live into the God has for us to do and to be. And that’s the point! The world! Jesus is not just a savior that our culture knows about…but the whole world celebrates! in the Advent podcast, Rachel Parfenchuk and Kim La Rue bring music from around the world with lively discussion about the culture, music and the roots of scripture within the musical text. Each Wednesday, these will be available on the PUMC website on the Advent & Christmas Season page, in an email and on social media. Sing a song of Christmas!
 
November 30 – Podcast 1
In this first of the Christmas podcasts, Rachel Parfenchuk and Kim La Rue discuss the essence of this Podcast series, joy, light, hope, and love and how that looks in other places around the world. The first country visited is Venezuela. Be sure to also click on the link of the performance of this first beautiful piece.
Music Title: “Niño Lindo”
“Niño Lindo” performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifY_oJmHL6U
 
December 7 – Podcast 2
Rachel and Kim lift up this Christmas favorite from Ukraine. This is the 100th anniversary of this song. Listen to hear more about the history of this song and how it connects to Christmas. And hear a bit about Christian history.
Music Title: Carol of the Bells
Composer: Mykola Leontovych
Carol of the Bells performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBDFMD5kLvc
 
 
December 14 – Podcast 3
The delightful title of this hymn takes us to the Huron Nation in Canada. Rachel and Kim discuss how the text of this hymn pays homage to the indigenous people by the images used which connected the incarnation to the very current day of the people.
Music Title: Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
Composer: Jean de Brebeuf collaboration with Hurons peoples of Quebec
Podcast 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJmFaiMeedE
Twas in the Moon of Wintertime performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW2XaVrKTsI
 
December 21 – Podcast 4
This Christmas carol is from Nigeria and the Yoruba ethnic peoples which was one of the first groups converted to Christianity on a mass scale in West Africa. Rachel and Kim discover more places of connection between countries and celebrate the joy and wonder of Christmas through the beauty of this piece.
Music Title: Betelehemu
Composer: The Yoruba people of West Africa
Podcast 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nGbGI2UGKY
 
December 28 – Podcast 5
Merry Christmas and Joy to the World! We offer this Filipino Christmas song as an after-Christmas reminder. There is no podcast today, but the music will fill your soul. Take a listen and notice the translation here (listen from the beginning of the link to minute 5:22) and how it totally represents the joy and wonder of realizing that Christmas is here. Our savior has come and joy reigns. Thanks for joining us this season!!!
It’s Christmas again How fast time flies
Christmases past Seem just like yesterday
It’s Christmas now
 
Must give thanks It’s Christmas now Let us sing.
 
[Chorus] Christmas! Christmas! It’s Christmas again.
The very day that we yearn for.
Christmas! Christmas! It’s Christmas again.
Love reigns
Music Title: Pasko na Naman (It’s Christmas Again)
Composer: Felipe Padilla de León