A big part of the Christmas season is gathering with friends and family to listen and sing holiday carols. “So many of the spirituals are written in what has been performed as and what scholars call the ‘eternal now,’” said Robert F. Darden, professor of journalism and founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project in News Wise. “If you read the lyrics as they were transcribed, many of them are in the present tense.”
“When you hear the Christmas spirituals, you’re hearing people who believe this is a real live event,” Darden said. “Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born, not was born. That gives them more of an immediacy and a power than songs that are in the past tense.”
Want to reflect on the true essence of the Holiday season. Here are eight influential songs to get you into the Christmas spirit.
Rise Up Shepherd and Follow” from Odetta: Christmas Spirituals
“Mary, What You Gonna Call That Pretty Little Baby?” featuring Marion Williams and Princess Stewart from Black Nativity
“Sweet Little Jesus Boy” from The Harmonizing Four
“Silent Night” by the Mighty Clouds of Joy from A Gospel Christmas Celebration
“Christmas Hymn” by Karen Kraft from The Texas Christmas Selection
“Go Tell It on the Mountain” by the Mighty Clouds of Joy from The Legendary Groups of Gospel
“Joy to the World” featuring Marion Williams and Princess Stewart from Black Nativity
“Hallelujah Chorus” by Pastor Donald Alford and the Progressive Radio Choir from A Gospel Family Christmas
Listening to the words of Gospel music, you can hear how they focus on what truly matters. Not shopping for the perfect gifts, but remembering the chosen King that was born in vulnerable times, who was despised and hated.
Gospel music reminds us of history and lend way to a sense of gratitude, for the chosen baby born in a manger.
I encourage you to take the time to listen to Kingdom Citizen Ratio this holiday season and get back to the real reason for the season.
