Episode 23: Advent of Carols 23 - God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

Episode 26: Christmas 2025

For Christmas Day, instead of a new reflection, I want to read you something I wrote ten years ago. It’s a story about waiting—about how long God’s promises can feel, and how thin hope can wear. * Support VerseNotes [https://versenotes.org/commons] * Transcript [https://versenotes.org/out-loud/26-christmas-2025/]

Episode 25: Advent of Carols 25 - Joy to the World

A Christmas carol that starts like a cannon blast, “Joy to the World” releases all the build-up from Advent into an overwhelming chorus of joy. LISTEN TO THE CAROL * BYU Combined Choirs and BYU Philharmonic - Joy to the World [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKvJdT0EDo4] * Mariah Carey - Joy to the World [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtRgKvLkLHM] * Soundiva Classical Choir - Joy to the World [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGyYAzrctzk] (a cappella) * Mannheim Steamroller - Joy to the World [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6YWvWjhdAE] (instrumental) MORE NOTES * About Advent of Carols [https://versenotes.org/advent-2025/] * Support VerseNotes [https://versenotes.org/commons] * Transcript [https://versenotes.org/out-loud/25-joy-to-the-world/]

Episode 24: Advent of Carols 24 - It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

A song that brings Advent anticipation into the present day, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” refuses to rush us to Christmas morning. LISTEN TO THE CAROL * The Hound + The Fox - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfwCm7TsqwE] * Ella Fitzgerald - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vt3zBjByV8] MORE NOTES * About Advent of Carols [https://versenotes.org/advent-2025/] * Support VerseNotes [https://versenotes.org/commons] * Transcript [https://versenotes.org/out-loud/24-it-came-upon-the-midnight-clear/]

Episode 23: Advent of Carols 23 - God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

The second Christmas carol to make us care about punctuation, “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” is not about cheerful festivity but about eternal freedom from fear. LISTEN TO THE CAROL * London Symphony Orchestra - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTFwT3l2UDA] * Barenaked Ladies - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVNzgUxE-g] * Mannheim Steamroller - God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHk8r284o08] (instrumental) MORE NOTES * About Advent of Carols [https://versenotes.org/advent-2025/] * Support VerseNotes [https://versenotes.org/commons] * Transcript [https://versenotes.org/out-loud/23-god-rest-you-merry-gentlemen/]

Episode 22: Advent of Carols 22 - Go Tell It On the Mountain

“Go Tell It On the Mountain” brings the Great Commission right into the manger scene. LISTEN TO THE CAROL * Dolly Parton - Go Tell It On the Mountain [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlJsAR3GgtI] (verses 1 & 2) * Francesca Battistelli - Go Tell It On the Mountain [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVg37Do5sKs] (verse 1 & 3) MORE NOTES * About Advent of Carols [https://versenotes.org/advent-2025/] * Support VerseNotes [https://versenotes.org/commons] * Transcript [https://versenotes.org/out-loud/22-go-tell-it-on-the-mountain/]