I love listening to Christmas carols during the season. As a child, I belonged to my church’s children’s choir. Thanks to that, I learned many beautiful songs. Yet some infant Christmas carols stand up the most to me as they have a profound meaning (some were originally written in French and Spanish). Here are seven of them and why they’re so meaningful:
1. “25 de Diciembre, Fum, Fum, Fum”
This song was originally written in Catalan by Joaquin Pecanin. “Fum” means smoke in Catalan. “25 de Diciembre” means December 25th, the day Baby Jesus was born. The song explains how Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem and brings salvation to the world. The carol calls for excitement to celebrate his birth, inviting everyone to see the child.
2. “Noche de Paz, Noche de Amor”
Known in English as Silent Night, Austrian priest Joseph Mohr and his organist wrote this song. Its lyrics resemble a lullaby and tell how Jesus is quietly sleeping in a manger. I like how this song describes how the Three Wisemen follow the Star of Bethlehem to reach Baby Jesus.
3. Petit Papa Noel
Petit Papa Noel means Little Daddy Noel, who we know as Santa Claus. Santa Claus is known as Papa Noel in many European countries. Noel means Christmas in French. The lyrics talk about how Santa Claus travels in the air, delivering toys to nice children around the world. Raymond Vinci and Henri Martinet wrote this Christmas carol.
4. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
This song tells the story of Santa Claus’ ninth reindeer. Rudolph is the youngest reindeer with a red nose that glows and guides Santa’s sleigh at night. Other reindeer make fun of Rudolph due to his shiny nose, but he’s brave enough to continue Santa Claus’ mission to bring toys to all children. Robert L. May. Rudolph first wrote about Rudolph as a fable and left us with a message of reaching for our dreams without paying attention to what others say about our looks.
5. El Burrito Sabanero
Meaning “Little Donkey from the Savannah,” this song was written in 1972 by Venezuelan composer Hugo Blanco. It tells the story of how St. Joseph brings Virgin Mary to Bethlehem, happily anticipating the birth of Baby Jesus. It also shows how excited and playful Joseph’s donkey is as Jesus’ parents’ helper.
6. El Tamborillero
Formerly known as Little Drummer Boy, Katherine Kennicott Davis wrote this Christmas carol. The song relates how the Three Magi King appoints a poor shepherd boy to bring a gift to Baby Jesus. The little boy has no gifts to bring but decides to play his drum for Baby Jesus. Virgin Mary approves it with joy, and Baby Jesus wakes up and smiles at the Little Drummer Boy with acceptance.
7. Despacio. No hagais ruido.
It is a song written by Cesareo Garabin, a priest from Spain. This song is “foretold” by the Virgin Mary, who insists shepherd boys walk slowly to avoid making noise and waking up Baby Jesus. At the same time, she explains how Baby Jesus is only a child, yet He has brought wisdom and salvation to the world.
There are many other Christmas songs I love. But these are the ones I like listening to most. I hope that you browse and listen to them. What are yours?
Originally published on The Odyssey
Featured image via Marko Klaric on Pexels
