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An Advent Carols Countdown: Stories Behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas
Get in the Christmas spirit with this unique collection of the most beloved Christmas carols, from the warmly nostalgic to the majestically solemn and uplifting. The book features one carol for each day from December first to Christmas Eve, and presents both the lyrics and the fascinating stories and interesting facts behind the creation of the songs. Each entry deepens our understanding of the music and enhances our appreciation of why these songs are culturally important and dearly treasured.
From popular, familiar carols to lesser known but cherished hymns, author Michael D. Young combines his musical expertise with information specific to each song.
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” was written by an American preacher, Philip Brooks, after traveling to Bethlehem in 1868 to find peace after the horrors of the Civil War and assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Brooks’s original poem, with one largely unknown final verse, is included along with the lyrics of the beloved carol.
“In the Bleak Midwinter” was voted the best Christmas carol by a BBC survey of experts, but the song was actually created from a poem by Christina Rosetti and did not become a carol until decades after her death when it was paired with music by Gustav Holst. Today, Rosetti is considered one of the most important poets of the nineteenth century, and the carol she unintentionally penned is one of the most haunting and beloved of all time.
An Advent Carols Countdown is a beautiful gift book for the whole family to enjoy along with the music of the holidays. Each entry also features a QR code that will link to an audio or video performance of the carol performed by the choir most associated with Christmas, the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir.
From popular, familiar carols to lesser known but cherished hymns, author Michael D. Young combines his musical expertise with information specific to each song.
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” was written by an American preacher, Philip Brooks, after traveling to Bethlehem in 1868 to find peace after the horrors of the Civil War and assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Brooks’s original poem, with one largely unknown final verse, is included along with the lyrics of the beloved carol.
“In the Bleak Midwinter” was voted the best Christmas carol by a BBC survey of experts, but the song was actually created from a poem by Christina Rosetti and did not become a carol until decades after her death when it was paired with music by Gustav Holst. Today, Rosetti is considered one of the most important poets of the nineteenth century, and the carol she unintentionally penned is one of the most haunting and beloved of all time.
An Advent Carols Countdown is a beautiful gift book for the whole family to enjoy along with the music of the holidays. Each entry also features a QR code that will link to an audio or video performance of the carol performed by the choir most associated with Christmas, the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir.
120 pages, Hardcover
Published September 4, 2022
9 people are currently reading
2219 people want to read
About the author
Michael D. Young
90 books162 followersMichael is a graduate of Brigham Young University and Western Governors University with degrees in German Teaching, Music, Educational Leadership and Instructional Design. Though he grew up traveling the world with his military father, he now lives in Utah with his wife, Jen, and his two sons, where he teaches in a German dual language immersion program. He enjoys acting in community theater, playing and writing music and spending time with his family. He played for several years with the handbell choir Bells on Temple Square and is now a member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
He is the author of the novels in The Canticle Kingdom Series, The Last Archangel Series, the Chess Quest Series and the Penultimate Dawn Cycle (The Hunger, The Thirst, and The Longing), as well as the non-fiction work, The Song of the Righteous. He has also had work featured in various online and print magazines such as Bards and Sages Quarterly, Mindflights, Meridian, Nugent Magazine, The New Era, Keeping Tab, Allegory, Liahona, and Ensign. He has also won honorable mention three times in the Writers of the Future contest.
He runs several podcasts, including “Chapter and Verse” and “Songs for All Seasons”.
He is the author of the novels in The Canticle Kingdom Series, The Last Archangel Series, the Chess Quest Series and the Penultimate Dawn Cycle (The Hunger, The Thirst, and The Longing), as well as the non-fiction work, The Song of the Righteous. He has also had work featured in various online and print magazines such as Bards and Sages Quarterly, Mindflights, Meridian, Nugent Magazine, The New Era, Keeping Tab, Allegory, Liahona, and Ensign. He has also won honorable mention three times in the Writers of the Future contest.
He runs several podcasts, including “Chapter and Verse” and “Songs for All Seasons”.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
May 8, 2022
"Carols act as a connecting thread of faith between us, our ancestors, and those all over the world...some were written by monks and priests...others...by people...not religious at all. Sometimes...the lyrics and...the music [were written] hundreds of years apart...".
Presented is the first verse of three distinct carols.
Angels we have heard on high
sweetly singing o'er the plains,
and the mountains in reply
echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Facts:
-A "macaronic" hymn whose lyrics switch between Latin and a different language
-The Latin refrain dates back to A.D. 129
-This French carol was translated into English in 1862
Carol of the Bells
Hark! how the bells,
sweet silver bells,
all seen to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
bringing good cheer,
to young and old,
meek and bold.
Facts:
-The song is based on a Ukrainian folk chant celebrating winter with hopes of bountiful crops
-The chant's popularity waned, almost disappeared during wartime
-A new arrangement, including new lyrics, was penned in 1936
Ding dong! merrily on high,
in heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
is riv'n with Angel singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Facts:
-This French dance was written in 16th Century France
-An Anglican priest wrote the lyrics 350 years later
"An Advent Carols Countdown" by Michael D. Young is a delightful collection of Christmas carols, one carol for each day from December 1 to Christmas Eve. What a special way to celebrate the season! Each carol comes complete with lyrics and a short history of its inception. With the provided QR code, the reader can listen to an audio or video performance of each carol as performed by the Tabernacle Choir. As a music lover, this read whet my appetite and I listened to several variations of each carol, some with full orchestra and chorus, others a cappella. Author Young's "Caroling Countdown" is a fun, musical, learning experience for everyone!
Thank you Callie Hansen and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Presented is the first verse of three distinct carols.
Angels we have heard on high
sweetly singing o'er the plains,
and the mountains in reply
echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Facts:
-A "macaronic" hymn whose lyrics switch between Latin and a different language
-The Latin refrain dates back to A.D. 129
-This French carol was translated into English in 1862
Carol of the Bells
Hark! how the bells,
sweet silver bells,
all seen to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
bringing good cheer,
to young and old,
meek and bold.
Facts:
-The song is based on a Ukrainian folk chant celebrating winter with hopes of bountiful crops
-The chant's popularity waned, almost disappeared during wartime
-A new arrangement, including new lyrics, was penned in 1936
Ding dong! merrily on high,
in heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
is riv'n with Angel singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Facts:
-This French dance was written in 16th Century France
-An Anglican priest wrote the lyrics 350 years later
"An Advent Carols Countdown" by Michael D. Young is a delightful collection of Christmas carols, one carol for each day from December 1 to Christmas Eve. What a special way to celebrate the season! Each carol comes complete with lyrics and a short history of its inception. With the provided QR code, the reader can listen to an audio or video performance of each carol as performed by the Tabernacle Choir. As a music lover, this read whet my appetite and I listened to several variations of each carol, some with full orchestra and chorus, others a cappella. Author Young's "Caroling Countdown" is a fun, musical, learning experience for everyone!
Thank you Callie Hansen and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2023
I loved this book. Christmas carols originate from many different places and were written by many different people. Some were monks and priests some were not even religious.
I found it very interesting to learn the origins of the carols and to listen to them as I read the lyrics. There is a QR code to click to listen to a performance of each carol as you read the lyrics. Some of the songs were not familiar to me and some were old favorites.
Each day leading up to Christmas you can read a different Carol.and listen to it. This book is a perfect Christmas gift for anyone.
I found it very interesting to learn the origins of the carols and to listen to them as I read the lyrics. There is a QR code to click to listen to a performance of each carol as you read the lyrics. Some of the songs were not familiar to me and some were old favorites.
Each day leading up to Christmas you can read a different Carol.and listen to it. This book is a perfect Christmas gift for anyone.
August 19, 2022
Hermoso 🥹 ya quiero que sea navidad 🎄 para poner mi playlist con los himnos que menciona el libro.
Me encanta el formato de calendario de adviento y siento que es muy lindo para usar en familia y transmitir a los hijos estos cantos.
Me encanta el formato de calendario de adviento y siento que es muy lindo para usar en familia y transmitir a los hijos estos cantos.
December 26, 2023
I had high hopes for this book, as I love learning the history behind songs I know and love. Unfortunately, I found the information given here both shallow and dry, for the most part. There were definitely some interesting tidbits here, but I know from my experience with another Advent book, The Carols of Christmas, that there were far greater depths to be plumbed in many cases. I did like that links to performances of each song were provided in the ebook alongside the lyrics. I also appreciated the fact that I was introduced to quite a few Christmas carols that were entirely new to me. I just wanted more from this.
April 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how it was an advent of Christmas carols for each day leading up to Christmas. I loved that there were carols I knew and some I didn’t. I also liked that there was a link allowing you to listen to what the song sounded like. I found it fascinating to read about the history of each of the songs. I thought this was a great resource to help families at Christmas time to learn a little bit more about the beloved songs we sing. I would highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
August 10, 2022
Believe it or not, Christmas is in 19 weeks which is 136 days as I'm writing this post. I love Christmas and I'm always looking for new ways to celebrate my favorite season of the year. I'm so excited to tell you about An Advent Carols Countdown: Stories behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas By Michael D. Young. This little book features 24 Christmas carol lyrics, information about each carol: who wrote it and why, and a QR Code is featured that will link you to an audio or video performance of the carol that is performed by the Tabernacle Choir.
Music is such a huge part of Christmas for me and my family. I can't wait to use this Advent Carols Countdown every day in December. This will make a fun new tradition for every family. I know we will enjoy singing along with the songs we know like, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Angels We Have Heard on High, O Holy Night, and of course Silent Night and many others.
Here is a fun fact, the author Michael Young is a member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. He has sung all of these carols and I know how much music means to him. This book was written with a lot of love and respect for the sacredness of the carols celebrating The Savior's birth. This book should be in every home during Christmas time and will make an excellent early Christmas gift.
Music is such a huge part of Christmas for me and my family. I can't wait to use this Advent Carols Countdown every day in December. This will make a fun new tradition for every family. I know we will enjoy singing along with the songs we know like, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Angels We Have Heard on High, O Holy Night, and of course Silent Night and many others.
Here is a fun fact, the author Michael Young is a member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. He has sung all of these carols and I know how much music means to him. This book was written with a lot of love and respect for the sacredness of the carols celebrating The Savior's birth. This book should be in every home during Christmas time and will make an excellent early Christmas gift.
August 9, 2022
This book is sure to delight anyone who enjoys Christmas music! It features a Christmas carol for each day of the advent calendar and shares the lyrics and the background story of the song. There is also a QR code so the reader can listen to each song which makes the book an interactive experience.
It includes many popular carols, like Silent Night and The First Noel, as well as several I have never heard of. I particularly enjoyed reading the histories of each song and learned so many fascinating details about the song's origin along with relevant details about the composer or how the song came to be well-known.
There are no music scores provided for the songs which may disappoint some readers, but this book would make a fun Christmas tradition for families who enjoy music during the holidays.
I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.
It includes many popular carols, like Silent Night and The First Noel, as well as several I have never heard of. I particularly enjoyed reading the histories of each song and learned so many fascinating details about the song's origin along with relevant details about the composer or how the song came to be well-known.
There are no music scores provided for the songs which may disappoint some readers, but this book would make a fun Christmas tradition for families who enjoy music during the holidays.
I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.
June 6, 2022
Savor this one. I deliberately only allowed myself to read one carol's story per day so as to create the spirit of the title. It not only allowed me to fully take in the background and history shared but time to think about what I'd learned, too, in the midst of my everyday life. It was a complete delight.
Although some of the songs were unfamiliar to me, it didn't matter. Not only are the lyrics and background provided but there was a link to a performance of each song provided in the digital copy I read. In the process, I learned a great deal such as that "Angels We Have Heard On High" is considered a "macaronic" hymn in that the lyrics alternate between Latin and another language, and that "Carol of the Bells" origins are Ukrainian. Beginning life as a folk song basically celebrating winter, it was first performed at Kiev University in 1916 and seems to have made its first American appearance at Carnegie Hall in 1921. "Silent Night" was one of the songs performed by the Von Trapp Family of "Sound of Music" fame when they performed across Europe.
And, oh, so much more. These little details, connecting time periods and people of the times pop up throughout. There's sure to be something for everyone. Even the carols that weren't familiar to me had intriguing back stories, so I thoroughly enjoyed my read and listening to the songs via the links provided. For the more scholarly among us, there is an extensive bibliography provided at the end. Enjoy! I know I did.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #ShadowMountainPublishing for allowing me to tune into this celebration of Christmas. The ties to history and events were fascinating.
Although some of the songs were unfamiliar to me, it didn't matter. Not only are the lyrics and background provided but there was a link to a performance of each song provided in the digital copy I read. In the process, I learned a great deal such as that "Angels We Have Heard On High" is considered a "macaronic" hymn in that the lyrics alternate between Latin and another language, and that "Carol of the Bells" origins are Ukrainian. Beginning life as a folk song basically celebrating winter, it was first performed at Kiev University in 1916 and seems to have made its first American appearance at Carnegie Hall in 1921. "Silent Night" was one of the songs performed by the Von Trapp Family of "Sound of Music" fame when they performed across Europe.
And, oh, so much more. These little details, connecting time periods and people of the times pop up throughout. There's sure to be something for everyone. Even the carols that weren't familiar to me had intriguing back stories, so I thoroughly enjoyed my read and listening to the songs via the links provided. For the more scholarly among us, there is an extensive bibliography provided at the end. Enjoy! I know I did.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #ShadowMountainPublishing for allowing me to tune into this celebration of Christmas. The ties to history and events were fascinating.
April 3, 2022
An Advent Carols Countdown: Stories behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas by Michael D. Young is a wonderful book filled with Christmas Carols, their meanings, history, and all presented for any family to enjoy one day at a time during Advent. Just stunning.
This is such an amazing book. Each day of December gives the reader a Christmas Carol, its lyrics, its history, and a link to hear the carol itself.
I have heard, loved, and enjoyed each one of these songs, but one or two were lesser known to me in regards to their origins. I loved getting to know the beautiful history behind these songs.
This book is for adults, kids, families…really anyone that loves history and also Christmas. It will most definitely put any reader into the Christmas Spirit!
5/5 stars enthusiastically
Thank you NG and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately (as of 4/3/22 no BB listing has been created and link will be updated when it is available) and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/6/22.
This is such an amazing book. Each day of December gives the reader a Christmas Carol, its lyrics, its history, and a link to hear the carol itself.
I have heard, loved, and enjoyed each one of these songs, but one or two were lesser known to me in regards to their origins. I loved getting to know the beautiful history behind these songs.
This book is for adults, kids, families…really anyone that loves history and also Christmas. It will most definitely put any reader into the Christmas Spirit!
5/5 stars enthusiastically
Thank you NG and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately (as of 4/3/22 no BB listing has been created and link will be updated when it is available) and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/6/22.
September 2, 2022
I’m always on the hunt for new Christmas traditions to share with my family. This delightful book is just what I was looking for! It offers a unique way to enjoy beautiful Christmas carols in a count down to Christmas.
The 24 carols range from beloved favorites like Silent Night and Away in a Manger, to carols I wasn’t as familiar with like In Dulci Jubilo (In Sweet Rejoicing). Each day in the countdown has one carol complete with all the lyrics, a brief well-researched history of the carol, and a QR code you can click on with your phone or tablet that takes you to a video or audio performance of the carol with famous artists including the Tabernacle Choir.
I loved the way I could click on a QR code to immediately take me to the carol. It’s also nice to have all the lyrics so my family and I can sing along while listening. The histories of the carols were so interesting. One of my favorites was the story of I Wonder as I Wander. The carol was first known as Appalachian Carol by John Jacob Niles who published collections of folk songs and poems he’d both written and adapted. He first heard a version of the carol sung by a young preacher’s daughter named Annie Morgan while traveling in the Appalachians in 1933. He took the song and arranged and adapted it into the familiar carol we know today.
I’m looking forward to sharing this book with my family and using it as a fun way to count down the days to Christmas. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
The 24 carols range from beloved favorites like Silent Night and Away in a Manger, to carols I wasn’t as familiar with like In Dulci Jubilo (In Sweet Rejoicing). Each day in the countdown has one carol complete with all the lyrics, a brief well-researched history of the carol, and a QR code you can click on with your phone or tablet that takes you to a video or audio performance of the carol with famous artists including the Tabernacle Choir.
I loved the way I could click on a QR code to immediately take me to the carol. It’s also nice to have all the lyrics so my family and I can sing along while listening. The histories of the carols were so interesting. One of my favorites was the story of I Wonder as I Wander. The carol was first known as Appalachian Carol by John Jacob Niles who published collections of folk songs and poems he’d both written and adapted. He first heard a version of the carol sung by a young preacher’s daughter named Annie Morgan while traveling in the Appalachians in 1933. He took the song and arranged and adapted it into the familiar carol we know today.
I’m looking forward to sharing this book with my family and using it as a fun way to count down the days to Christmas. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
December 29, 2022
This is an advent countdown but I couldn’t stop at one each night so finished early. I was so interested in some of the carols I had not heard beforehand. I loved that the author put QR codes to take you to videos of the Tabernacle Choir singing the songs. A few of the videos were not available so I searched and found other renditions. Definitely something to bring in the Christmas spirit.
April 9, 2022
My Sketch …
From Dec. 1st to Dec. 24th, a Christmas carol lyric and a story per day of how the carol came to be. Each carol has a QR code linking to an audio or video performance of the carol performed by the Morman Tabernacle Choir. However, no music score is provided.
My Review …
While the title states “…Stories Behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas”, personally I was disappointed that no musical notation was part of each Christmas Carol presentation since the briefing does include the tune history as well as the lyrics. The book summary (e.g. the description), which I encourage you to read, suggests An Advent Carols Countdown could be a gift. The only format is hardcover.
I thought many years ago such a book should be written and now it has been.
A few tidbits: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” always felt English to me yet it is a German hymn dating back to at least 1599. I haven’t sung “Masters in This Hall” since I was in high school mixed chorus. It is a simple carol; Mr. Young says the music is an old French dance. The book has a bibliography for each carol.
The Christmas Carols countdown from December 1st are:
1st – The Holly and the Ivy
2nd – O Little Town of Bethlehem
3rd – Angels We Have Heard on High
4th – Carol of the Bells
5th – Good King Wenceslas
6th – Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains
7th – O Holy Night
8th – Ding Dong! Merrily on High
9th – God Bless the Master
10th – In Dulci Jubilo (In Sweet Rejoicing)
11th – Joy to the World
12th – O Come, All Ye Faithful
13th – Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker (My Heart Always Wanders)
14th – Of the Father’s Love Begotten
15th – Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
16th – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
17th – Away in a Manger
18th – Angels from the Realms of Glory
19th – Masters in This Hall
20th – O du Fröhliche (O You Joyful)
21st – In the Bleak Midwinter
22nd – The First Noel
23rd – Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
24th – Stille Nacht (Silent Night)
Missing is a beautiful carol — “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”.
A personal note from the reviewer …
I played my first Christmas carol when I was six years old. Granted it was only the melody but it’s a lovely memory. By nine I was playing Christmas Carols for our Baptist church & hoping “O Come All Ye Faithful” wasn’t planned as it had all those sharps (# ). Recently I was an organist/pianist for a Catholic parish and was surprised to learn that many of the carols listed above could *not* be sung or played during Advent. Any mention of the birth of Jesus — the Carol could not be used during Advent.
Rating: 3.5 stars rounded to 4 for websites using only round numbers. As a musician, a one-star reduction is due to the lack of music scores. I did not know three of the carols and would love to have seen the scores. In addition, why should people have to acquire the music score? Since there are some months before the pub date of 6 September, maybe music notation will be added.
I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of An Advent Carols Countdown via NetGalley from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#AnAdventCarolsCountdown #NetGalley #MichaelDYoung
Title: An Advent Carols Countdown: Stories Behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas
Series: N/A
Author: Michael D. Young
Genre: Christmas, Christian, Reference
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Release Date: September 6, 2022
Format: Hardcover
Pages: Unknown
Source: NetGalley
Cover: I love this cover because it reminds me of my very first Christmas Carol book given to me by my first piano teacher.
From Dec. 1st to Dec. 24th, a Christmas carol lyric and a story per day of how the carol came to be. Each carol has a QR code linking to an audio or video performance of the carol performed by the Morman Tabernacle Choir. However, no music score is provided.
My Review …
While the title states “…Stories Behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas”, personally I was disappointed that no musical notation was part of each Christmas Carol presentation since the briefing does include the tune history as well as the lyrics. The book summary (e.g. the description), which I encourage you to read, suggests An Advent Carols Countdown could be a gift. The only format is hardcover.
I thought many years ago such a book should be written and now it has been.
A few tidbits: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” always felt English to me yet it is a German hymn dating back to at least 1599. I haven’t sung “Masters in This Hall” since I was in high school mixed chorus. It is a simple carol; Mr. Young says the music is an old French dance. The book has a bibliography for each carol.
The Christmas Carols countdown from December 1st are:
1st – The Holly and the Ivy
2nd – O Little Town of Bethlehem
3rd – Angels We Have Heard on High
4th – Carol of the Bells
5th – Good King Wenceslas
6th – Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains
7th – O Holy Night
8th – Ding Dong! Merrily on High
9th – God Bless the Master
10th – In Dulci Jubilo (In Sweet Rejoicing)
11th – Joy to the World
12th – O Come, All Ye Faithful
13th – Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker (My Heart Always Wanders)
14th – Of the Father’s Love Begotten
15th – Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
16th – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
17th – Away in a Manger
18th – Angels from the Realms of Glory
19th – Masters in This Hall
20th – O du Fröhliche (O You Joyful)
21st – In the Bleak Midwinter
22nd – The First Noel
23rd – Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
24th – Stille Nacht (Silent Night)
Missing is a beautiful carol — “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”.
A personal note from the reviewer …
I played my first Christmas carol when I was six years old. Granted it was only the melody but it’s a lovely memory. By nine I was playing Christmas Carols for our Baptist church & hoping “O Come All Ye Faithful” wasn’t planned as it had all those sharps (# ). Recently I was an organist/pianist for a Catholic parish and was surprised to learn that many of the carols listed above could *not* be sung or played during Advent. Any mention of the birth of Jesus — the Carol could not be used during Advent.
Rating: 3.5 stars rounded to 4 for websites using only round numbers. As a musician, a one-star reduction is due to the lack of music scores. I did not know three of the carols and would love to have seen the scores. In addition, why should people have to acquire the music score? Since there are some months before the pub date of 6 September, maybe music notation will be added.
I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of An Advent Carols Countdown via NetGalley from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#AnAdventCarolsCountdown #NetGalley #MichaelDYoung
Title: An Advent Carols Countdown: Stories Behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas
Series: N/A
Author: Michael D. Young
Genre: Christmas, Christian, Reference
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Release Date: September 6, 2022
Format: Hardcover
Pages: Unknown
Source: NetGalley
Cover: I love this cover because it reminds me of my very first Christmas Carol book given to me by my first piano teacher.
April 25, 2022
This is an advent book for counting down the days in December for Christmas. There is a Christmas Carol for each day some of which are very familiar and others that were new to me. The lyrics are given followed by one or two pages of information about he carol. Details of country of origin, the writer, time periods etc. I didn’t realize that most carols started out and were published as poetry and then sung to familiar tunes. I found it interesting that some carols are sung to different tunes in different countries while using the same words. In my digital copy of the book a link is provided that takes you to Youtube videos or audio recordings of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (previously called The Mormon Tabernacle Choir) performing the song. I’m not sure if the published version of the book will give the digital link or include a CD or DVD. I wish the music was provided in the book, especially for less familiar songs. But I understand that there might be copyright issues or other reasons that make that prohibitive. I think this is a unique and fun way to count down to Christmas. Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2022
This was a really fun and interesting book! I love Christmas carols and learning more about them was super fun. This is as the title suggests an Advent Countdown, so the chapters are meant to be read in the advent season, one a day. I think that it is definitely a cool way to get into the Christmas spirit and to learn a little! I did not know most of the stories about the song and even some of the carols were new to me. I enjoyed learning them too. I appreciated how easy to understand the content; it is definitely made for reading with kids. It is presented very clearly and I think it is very accessible for young readers.
I think that this is a very fun book for the whole family and each chapter has a QR code connecting to a Youtube performance of the song. That is also nice, because even if you do not know the song, you can hear it.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
I think that this is a very fun book for the whole family and each chapter has a QR code connecting to a Youtube performance of the song. That is also nice, because even if you do not know the song, you can hear it.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
September 1, 2022
#BookRevew: AN ADVENT CAROLS COUNTDOWN by Michael D. Young
(Stories behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas)
What is your favorite Christmas Carol?
I love Christmas and grew up singing carols. I have many favorites and one of them is Joy to the World which was included in the book. I like the adorable book cover too.
Every day from December 1st to the 24th, the book gave us the lyrics of a Christmas carol and it was a good thing that there was a QR code to scan so we can listen to it. I didn’t know all the carols and no music notes so that was helpful. The short history behind each song was interesting. This is a family friendly and educational book that can be enjoyed by many in all ages.
I wish I knew all the songs but there were a good many that are familiar like Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Angels We Have Heard on High, Away in a Manger, The First Noel, O Come, All Ye Faithful and O Holy Night. I enjoyed this little book of carols and a good one to share with family and friends.
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 06 Sep 2022
Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
(Stories behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas)
What is your favorite Christmas Carol?
I love Christmas and grew up singing carols. I have many favorites and one of them is Joy to the World which was included in the book. I like the adorable book cover too.
Every day from December 1st to the 24th, the book gave us the lyrics of a Christmas carol and it was a good thing that there was a QR code to scan so we can listen to it. I didn’t know all the carols and no music notes so that was helpful. The short history behind each song was interesting. This is a family friendly and educational book that can be enjoyed by many in all ages.
I wish I knew all the songs but there were a good many that are familiar like Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Angels We Have Heard on High, Away in a Manger, The First Noel, O Come, All Ye Faithful and O Holy Night. I enjoyed this little book of carols and a good one to share with family and friends.
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 06 Sep 2022
Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 16, 2022
One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music. I love the idea of a Christmas carol for each day leading up to Christmas. This would be such a fun thing to do as a family, especially with young children. There were many songs in this book that I knew such as Joy to the World, O Come, All Ye Faithful, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing but also several that I'd never heard before--My Heart Always Wanders, Masters in This Hall, and In the Bleak Midwinter to name a few.
I love the cover because it reminds me of Victorian carolers. I liked that it was interactive and you could click (on my ebook copy) or scan a code (on the physical book) to listen to the song. I really liked learning the history of each carol and about the composer--it's very interesting reading. This would make a wonderful gift before the holidays and help make the days leading up to Christmas more meaningful.
I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher Shadow Mountain via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
I love the cover because it reminds me of Victorian carolers. I liked that it was interactive and you could click (on my ebook copy) or scan a code (on the physical book) to listen to the song. I really liked learning the history of each carol and about the composer--it's very interesting reading. This would make a wonderful gift before the holidays and help make the days leading up to Christmas more meaningful.
I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher Shadow Mountain via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
October 12, 2022
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Christmas and music, so when the opportunity came to read this book I jumped as quickly as I could! Young provides such an interesting look at several beloved Christmas songs that we sing every year. So many things to learn as you study the lyrics to each song. And I appreciate that he put the lyrics in the beginning of each chapter.
Fans of Christmas will adore this advent countdown. Not only will you learn a thing or two about the songs, you'll learn about the people who wrote them. I highly recommend adding this to your December reading schedule. I think you'll really enjoy it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fans of Christmas will adore this advent countdown. Not only will you learn a thing or two about the songs, you'll learn about the people who wrote them. I highly recommend adding this to your December reading schedule. I think you'll really enjoy it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 21, 2023
Very enjoyable to read about a different hymn each day as you count down to Christmas. I did not recognize some of the hymns at all. I enjoyed learning more about the ones that I was familiar with than not but definitely a fun advent calendar book!
December 14, 2023
It was fun listening to the music and reading the book at the same time. Got to learn more about the songs and learn some new songs too!
December 25, 2022
I read the stories about these Christmas songs to my mom each night in December. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were songs that we’d learn more about and then sing in church and enjoy the song much more because we knew something about its history. Delightful book.
October 3, 2022
There is a good chance you’ll find your favorite in this book-or a new favorite!
About the book: Get in the Christmas spirit with this unique collection of the most beloved Christmas carols, from the warmly nostalgic to the majestically solemn and uplifting. The book features one carol for each day from December first to Christmas Eve, & presents both the lyrics & the fascinating stories & interesting facts behind the creation of the songs. Each entry deepens our understanding of the music & enhances our appreciation of why these songs are culturally important & dearly treasured.
From popular, familiar carols to lesser known but cherished hymns, author Michael D. Young combines his musical expertise with information specific to each song.
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" was written by an American preacher, Philip Brooks, after traveling to Bethlehem in 1868 to find peace after the horrors of the Civil War & assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Brooks's original poem, with one largely unknown final verse, is included along with the lyrics of the beloved carol.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" was voted the best Christmas carol by a BBC survey of experts, but the song was actually created from a poem by Christina Rosetti & did not become a carol until decades after her death when it was paired with music by Gustav Holst. Today, Rosetti is considered one of the most important poets of the nineteenth century, & the carol she unintentionally penned is one of the most haunting & beloved of all time…(full synopsis in the comments).
As someone who LOVES music and history, this little gem is a must-have item!! I have had so much fun learning about familiar carols as well as being introduced to new ones! There are QR codes for each song too-which adds a really fun element overall!
This is a great addition to any music lovers book collection! It’s perfect for gift giving too!
Thanks to the publisher for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
About the book: Get in the Christmas spirit with this unique collection of the most beloved Christmas carols, from the warmly nostalgic to the majestically solemn and uplifting. The book features one carol for each day from December first to Christmas Eve, & presents both the lyrics & the fascinating stories & interesting facts behind the creation of the songs. Each entry deepens our understanding of the music & enhances our appreciation of why these songs are culturally important & dearly treasured.
From popular, familiar carols to lesser known but cherished hymns, author Michael D. Young combines his musical expertise with information specific to each song.
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" was written by an American preacher, Philip Brooks, after traveling to Bethlehem in 1868 to find peace after the horrors of the Civil War & assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Brooks's original poem, with one largely unknown final verse, is included along with the lyrics of the beloved carol.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" was voted the best Christmas carol by a BBC survey of experts, but the song was actually created from a poem by Christina Rosetti & did not become a carol until decades after her death when it was paired with music by Gustav Holst. Today, Rosetti is considered one of the most important poets of the nineteenth century, & the carol she unintentionally penned is one of the most haunting & beloved of all time…(full synopsis in the comments).
As someone who LOVES music and history, this little gem is a must-have item!! I have had so much fun learning about familiar carols as well as being introduced to new ones! There are QR codes for each song too-which adds a really fun element overall!
This is a great addition to any music lovers book collection! It’s perfect for gift giving too!
Thanks to the publisher for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
January 21, 2023
NetGalley thank you for this wonderful book. I’ve always wondered about the history of some of our Christmas songs. This book does a beautiful setup in an advent style to learn about some of our most beloved Christmas songs as well as some I haven’t heard. It even has links so you can hear them sung. It’s a perfect way to countdown to Christmas.
September 20, 2022
Plot:
Christmas Carols are known far and wide for their holiday tunes. But where did all these songs come from? While we know many dates back to the 18th and 17th centuries and are about religion, just where did these songs originate and by who? Nothing says the holidays like a good song, in which author Michael Young not only provides the lyrics but also the history behind each song. Who wrote it, why they wrote it, and a bit about their life and the life of their song. Written as an adventure, this story will take you through each day in December starting on the first and ending on the twenty-fourth, with each day a new Christmas song to get readers in the holiday spirit.
Thoughts:
Everyone has their favorite holiday music. Whether it be re-recordings of old songs or the classics, people like Michael Buble can make an income off it. Yet, we are talking about the really old songs, not like Jingle Bells or Mistletoe, but the Silent Night, Good King Wenceslas, and Away in a Manger; where did those songs come from? Michael Young writes this pretty short story giving readers a song for a day and telling them the history of that song. Each chapter, from December 1 to December 24, provides the song name, lyrics, a QR code linking it to a video of the song playing (can confirm these videos are pretty good), and a one to two-page written portion telling us the history of the song. With easy-to-understand writing, Young made this history book fun by keeping the history short and interesting, providing readers with the not-so-known facts about each of the songs. This book is also a great way to introduce you to new songs you may not have heard of, and to learn more about your favorites. A personal favorite of mine is Silent Night, from this story I learned more about my favorite song, like the fact that it was originally called Stille Nacht. Overall, this is a perfect holiday read to get you into the spirit, and a way to count down the days until Christmas musically.
Christmas Carols are known far and wide for their holiday tunes. But where did all these songs come from? While we know many dates back to the 18th and 17th centuries and are about religion, just where did these songs originate and by who? Nothing says the holidays like a good song, in which author Michael Young not only provides the lyrics but also the history behind each song. Who wrote it, why they wrote it, and a bit about their life and the life of their song. Written as an adventure, this story will take you through each day in December starting on the first and ending on the twenty-fourth, with each day a new Christmas song to get readers in the holiday spirit.
Thoughts:
Everyone has their favorite holiday music. Whether it be re-recordings of old songs or the classics, people like Michael Buble can make an income off it. Yet, we are talking about the really old songs, not like Jingle Bells or Mistletoe, but the Silent Night, Good King Wenceslas, and Away in a Manger; where did those songs come from? Michael Young writes this pretty short story giving readers a song for a day and telling them the history of that song. Each chapter, from December 1 to December 24, provides the song name, lyrics, a QR code linking it to a video of the song playing (can confirm these videos are pretty good), and a one to two-page written portion telling us the history of the song. With easy-to-understand writing, Young made this history book fun by keeping the history short and interesting, providing readers with the not-so-known facts about each of the songs. This book is also a great way to introduce you to new songs you may not have heard of, and to learn more about your favorites. A personal favorite of mine is Silent Night, from this story I learned more about my favorite song, like the fact that it was originally called Stille Nacht. Overall, this is a perfect holiday read to get you into the spirit, and a way to count down the days until Christmas musically.
September 4, 2022
An Advent Carols Countdown
Stories Behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas
By Michael D. Young
An Advent Carols Countdown is a new way to enjoy Christmas carols, some that are familiar and others not much. Each day from December 1-24 explores a different carol. The first page is the lyrics of the carol, while the following page or pages explain the history of the carol. Each day is a chance to discover something new.
I love how this "advent" book is just for the days of December leading up to Christmas Day. Often advent books are for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, which can vary in entries and not work from year to year. While this book uses a date - December 1 as its start date - a date, that will allow this book to become a part of your family traditions to celebrate the Christmas season.
There is an included QR code with each and every song so that you can experience each song yourself. I love this as there were a couple songs I was unfamiliar with. At approximately 120 pages, one is able to get a good understanding of each carol and its song without getting bogged down with too much info. So this would make a great family time activity for those eight years and up, in my opinion. Those younger might get bored or distracted but should, at least, enjoy the chance to, at least, watch and/or listen to the songs.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion.
Stories Behind the Most Beloved Music of Christmas
By Michael D. Young
An Advent Carols Countdown is a new way to enjoy Christmas carols, some that are familiar and others not much. Each day from December 1-24 explores a different carol. The first page is the lyrics of the carol, while the following page or pages explain the history of the carol. Each day is a chance to discover something new.
I love how this "advent" book is just for the days of December leading up to Christmas Day. Often advent books are for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, which can vary in entries and not work from year to year. While this book uses a date - December 1 as its start date - a date, that will allow this book to become a part of your family traditions to celebrate the Christmas season.
There is an included QR code with each and every song so that you can experience each song yourself. I love this as there were a couple songs I was unfamiliar with. At approximately 120 pages, one is able to get a good understanding of each carol and its song without getting bogged down with too much info. So this would make a great family time activity for those eight years and up, in my opinion. Those younger might get bored or distracted but should, at least, enjoy the chance to, at least, watch and/or listen to the songs.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion.
October 17, 2022
It’s never too early to think about Christmas shopping, and the Christmas traditions your family observes. I am a big fan of advent calendars and I have been fixing up my kids’ calendars every November to make sure it’s ready by December 1st. An Advent Carols Countdown is another great way to go about advent calendars this holiday season.
This book comes with 24 carols, some you might already be familiar with, each with a QR code and a history of why, and when the carol is written. The QR code links to a video of a performance of the carol it’s attached to.
There are 2 ways you can go about reading this book:
First: Read it as it is. One carol a day with a book mark in place so it’s easy to flip to the page you need for that day.
Second: Set up a TBR pages jar. It’s exactly like a TRB jar but instead of books, the sheets will have the page numbers for the carols. Luckily, this book has a A Table of Contents so it’s easy to reference the pages when setting up the jar.
I think it was a great idea to have the Christmas carols be the centre of an advent calendar. It’s one of the things we fill our homes with during the holidays, and knowing the history behind them makes it all the more special.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with a copy for review.
This book comes with 24 carols, some you might already be familiar with, each with a QR code and a history of why, and when the carol is written. The QR code links to a video of a performance of the carol it’s attached to.
There are 2 ways you can go about reading this book:
First: Read it as it is. One carol a day with a book mark in place so it’s easy to flip to the page you need for that day.
Second: Set up a TBR pages jar. It’s exactly like a TRB jar but instead of books, the sheets will have the page numbers for the carols. Luckily, this book has a A Table of Contents so it’s easy to reference the pages when setting up the jar.
I think it was a great idea to have the Christmas carols be the centre of an advent calendar. It’s one of the things we fill our homes with during the holidays, and knowing the history behind them makes it all the more special.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with a copy for review.
August 22, 2022
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
Twenty-four Christmas songs – one for each day of December leading up to Christmas. Each section has the lyrics of a carol, a QR code to listen to the song, and some background information about where and when the song came from. Young has compiled some new Christmas stories to share this upcoming Christmas season – and maybe a new song, too!
I didn’t know that so many different countries, languages, writers, and composers brought my favorite Christmas songs to life. Some of the carols mentioned have roots stretching back to 129 AD and some have only been around as I know them since 1995, putting songs next to each other in a familiar way that their original creators could not have foreseen. Young talks about songs that have traveled through Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, the Holy Land, the United Kingdom, and America, which has helped me feel more united with Christmas celebrators around the world – and it’s only August!
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Twenty-four Christmas songs – one for each day of December leading up to Christmas. Each section has the lyrics of a carol, a QR code to listen to the song, and some background information about where and when the song came from. Young has compiled some new Christmas stories to share this upcoming Christmas season – and maybe a new song, too!
I didn’t know that so many different countries, languages, writers, and composers brought my favorite Christmas songs to life. Some of the carols mentioned have roots stretching back to 129 AD and some have only been around as I know them since 1995, putting songs next to each other in a familiar way that their original creators could not have foreseen. Young talks about songs that have traveled through Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, the Holy Land, the United Kingdom, and America, which has helped me feel more united with Christmas celebrators around the world – and it’s only August!
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
December 2, 2022
This is a book that you will want to pull out every year for the holiday season. A wonderful book going over beloved carols and some lesser known ones that help to make the season so special.
I love the layout of the book with each day covering a new carol with the lyrics, the background that of the carol that makes it all the more endearing, and the QR code to watch a beautiful and heartwarming version of the carol.
If you love music, especially Christmas music, pick up this book and make it part of your yearly traditions. Bringing in the holidays with music is such a special approach that will only add the the Christmas cheer. This is one you won’t want to miss. It also makes for a wonderful gift for those music lovers, Christmas carol enthusiasts in your life. Spread Christmas cheer with joyful music and some background that will touch the hearts of the readers during the holiday season.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publishers, publicists, and/or authors. A review was not required and all opinions are my own.
I love the layout of the book with each day covering a new carol with the lyrics, the background that of the carol that makes it all the more endearing, and the QR code to watch a beautiful and heartwarming version of the carol.
If you love music, especially Christmas music, pick up this book and make it part of your yearly traditions. Bringing in the holidays with music is such a special approach that will only add the the Christmas cheer. This is one you won’t want to miss. It also makes for a wonderful gift for those music lovers, Christmas carol enthusiasts in your life. Spread Christmas cheer with joyful music and some background that will touch the hearts of the readers during the holiday season.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publishers, publicists, and/or authors. A review was not required and all opinions are my own.
August 30, 2022
There isn’t much I don’t love about Christmas. But one of my absolute favorite things is the music. I loved looking through this book and getting to see stories behind some of my favorite Christmas Carols. And I can’t wait for the Christmas season to share it with my family. One carol at a time.
This little book is set up kind of like those chocolate Advent calendars. You know the kind with the chocolate that are just okay. Each day in the month of December has a carol. The author includes a brief history about the carol and a QR code to scan to watch a musical performance of the carol. I loved that the words for the carols are included. Some of these carols, like The Holly and the Ivy, I’ve never really even heard the words, just the tune.
This is one of those books I will use each and every year! Such a great idea.
I was sent a copy of An Advent Carols Countdown as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This little book is set up kind of like those chocolate Advent calendars. You know the kind with the chocolate that are just okay. Each day in the month of December has a carol. The author includes a brief history about the carol and a QR code to scan to watch a musical performance of the carol. I loved that the words for the carols are included. Some of these carols, like The Holly and the Ivy, I’ve never really even heard the words, just the tune.
This is one of those books I will use each and every year! Such a great idea.
I was sent a copy of An Advent Carols Countdown as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
May 27, 2022
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
The Christmas season is my favorite time of year. From the celebration of Christ’s birth to being with family to singing Christmas carols, I enjoy every moment. So, I was happy to read this book. It contains the lyrics to 24 carols and the stories of their origins. A few of the carols are ones I haven’t heard of, but it contains many favorites such as “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Silent Night.”
The book is set up to be read during Advent from December 1 to December 24. I plan on reading it again during that time and listening to each song as well. Each song has a QR code that takes you to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s audio or visual performance. I love it!
The Christmas season is my favorite time of year. From the celebration of Christ’s birth to being with family to singing Christmas carols, I enjoy every moment. So, I was happy to read this book. It contains the lyrics to 24 carols and the stories of their origins. A few of the carols are ones I haven’t heard of, but it contains many favorites such as “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Silent Night.”
The book is set up to be read during Advent from December 1 to December 24. I plan on reading it again during that time and listening to each song as well. Each song has a QR code that takes you to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s audio or visual performance. I love it!
August 16, 2022
What a gem this little book is. It is something I will put with my Christmas treasures, and have handy from the 1st of December through the 24th.
A gift that keeps giving each day as you are receiving a blessing of the beautiful music of the Tabernacle Choir, one beautiful carol for each day, along with the lyrics. Just use the QR code and you are linked to an audio or video performance!
We begin on December 1st with The Holly and the Ivy, first with the lyrics, and the the QR code along with About The Carol, something as an adult I found interesting, how and where it originated! This continues each day with cherished carols, and then on the 24th Silent Night.
So much packed into a 120 page, and sure to become an anticipated part of your Advent each year!
I received this book through the Publisher Shadow Mountain, and was not required to give a positive review.
A gift that keeps giving each day as you are receiving a blessing of the beautiful music of the Tabernacle Choir, one beautiful carol for each day, along with the lyrics. Just use the QR code and you are linked to an audio or video performance!
We begin on December 1st with The Holly and the Ivy, first with the lyrics, and the the QR code along with About The Carol, something as an adult I found interesting, how and where it originated! This continues each day with cherished carols, and then on the 24th Silent Night.
So much packed into a 120 page, and sure to become an anticipated part of your Advent each year!
I received this book through the Publisher Shadow Mountain, and was not required to give a positive review.
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