December 12: Candlelight Carol | The Cambridge Singers

Carol #2 in my trio of carols is Candlelight Carol. Everything about this carol is tenderness. If you listen to the recording and read the lyrics, you will see why this song is so tender.

Have you ever wondered what Mary may have thought of everything? What did she think of being chosen by God? What did she think of being visited by an angel? What did she think of knowing she was pregnant with the Son of God (or as the lyrics of this song call Him, the “Godhead incarnate and the Hope of Salvation”)? What did she think of the star? Did she even see it? What did she think about them not being able to find a room? Was she okay traveling by donkey?

The reality is nobody REALLY knows what Mary thought when everything was happening. Many artists, composers, musicians, poets, historians, scholars and religious leaders have all tried to imagine what she may have felt about the events surrounding Christ’s coming into the world. This song is one more attempt. Personally, I think it’s a great attempt!

Some parts that I really like:

• “How can you measure the love of a mother?” 
• How true this is! A mother’s love is immeasurable! There isn’t a gift or treasure that can be compared to the love a mother has for her children. There’s a special connection. My kids know I love them and I know they love me…but I can see that that love will never be the same love for their mother and vice versa. There is something unique about the connection a mother has with her children.
• “How can you write down a baby’s first cry?” 
• Somebody, anybody—please reply to this posting or send me an email describing your baby’s first cry. It’s difficult and you will never accurately describe his or her exact cry. Being there and witnessing a baby's first cry is indescribable.
• “Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Savior, but Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep.” 
• I love this line! How many nations proclaim Christ as their Lord and Savior? Many nations and people call him their Lord and Savior, but for Mary she’ll just hold and cuddle her sweet baby. She may or may not have thought of him on his birth day as the Savior of the world, but I can guarantee that she thought of him as a mother does to any of her babes. She probably wanted to hold him, kiss his cheeks, cuddle him, stroke his head, hold his tiny hands and admire his toes and feet. ;)
• “Godhead incarnate and hope of Salvation: a child with his mother that first Christmas Day” 
• Again, another poignant line reiterating the same as the above point. Christ—the creator of everything—was in her arms, a helpless baby who at that time just needed his mother. 
• I love the descant Rutter composed in the chorus when they sing “Gloria, Gloria…” Did you hear it?
• Love the chord at “starglow!”
• Love the a cappella in the 3rd verse!

What do you think Mary was thinking "that first Christmas day?"
Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. I want to hear your thoughts!

Candlelight Carol

How do you capture the wind on the water? 

How do you count all the stars in the sky? 

How can you measure the love of a mother,

or how can you write down a baby's first cry?

Chorus/Refrain:

Candlelight, angel light, firelight and starglow

shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn.

Gloria, Gloria in excelsis deo!

Angels are singing; the Christ Child is born.

Shepherds and wisemen will kneel and adore him,

Seraphim round him their vigil will keep;

Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Savior,

but Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep. Chorus/Refrain

Find him at Bethlehem laid in a manger:

Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay.

Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation:

A child with his mother that first Christmas Day. Chorus/Refrain

Written & Composed by: John Rutter

Performed by: The Cambridge Singers