5 Golden Rings

 

        Here we go! Those of you who have been my friends for at least one past Christmas know I cannot let the season pass without sharing at least one carol by John Rutter. Even if it means recycling it must happen. However, I don't think I've shared this one before. Published in the '90s, this, like many of John Rutter's carols for which he wrote the lyrics himself, evokes the feel of Christmas and brings together that beautiful imagery that marks all of his Christmas carols.

       Rutter's Angel Carol and Shepherd's Pipe Carol remain some of my all time favorite Christmas carols to this day, and the theme of those two holds true for this one. Rutter has captured the aura of Christmas in his carols. I might say that, in many ways, he is the Thomas Kinkade of choral music. He writes things of beauty full of color, texture, and heart that never fail to sweep you away every time you listen to them. 

I know many people dislike Rutter for the same reason they dislike Kinkade; "Once you've heard one song by Rutter, you've heard them all," they say. Of course I hotly contend this view. The thing about Rutter is that he is subtle in his writing he doesn't try to jump out at you and slap your face with his music. Instead he comes like a gentle breeze brushing your cheek, wiping away the sweat and cobwebs, lifting the fog from your eyes, and allowing you to throw back your head and smile. 

The modern listener who is used to being forcefully grabbed and shoved into the music must learn to lean forward and listen quietly. He must stop talking first if he wishes to hear the message of Rutter's Christmas carols. It's the same story, to be sure. Christ is born to save us. However, it is never old, and never tired. 

Thus I present to you, Rutter's Nativity Carol. Make sure that when you listen to this you're sitting in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed until you're through. Pause a little, take in the silence around you. Don't let it oppress you, enjoy it for a bit. Then, play this carol. Hopefully then you will hear it as I do. At any rate, it's worth a try!