Christmas carols and hymns are one aspect of the holiday season that never fails to lift the spirits and they require no baking, no tree stands, and no extension cords. There is a large body of well-known Christmas songs that are perennial favorites and there are many more that are new to many people every year.  Clay Aiken has introduced many lesser-known, but wonderful Christmas carols and songs to his fans throughout the last few years.

Did you know……..

1. There is a distinction between a Christmas carol and a Christmas song. A Christmas Carol has a fairly rapid, regular beat, which would, therefore, exclude a meandering, crooning song such as “White Christmas”.  A choir can often sing Christmas carols, but this is not the case for pop music.
2. The world’s most famous Christmas carol is “Silent Night”.
3. “Jingle Bells” was originally named, “ One-Horse Open Sleigh”, and was written for Thanksgiving, not for Christmas.
4. Charles Dickens story, “A Christmas Carol”, is the world’s most read Christmas story.
5. In 2003, the Austrian Trade Union Federation, representing 100,000 workers, claimed that the non-stop playing of Christmas carols in shopping malls was “psychological terror.”

“The Christmas Waltz” is a modern Christmas song.  The lyrics are by Sammy Cahn and the music is by Jule Styne.  It is a good example of a modern secular Christmas song.  This song describes the wonderful joy of the season without necessarily being religious. “The Christmas Waltz” has been reprised by many singers including Frank Sinatra and the Carpenters. Clay Aiken recorded this song on his EP, All Is Well.

The Christmas Waltz

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Frosted window panes
Candles gleaming inside
Painted candy canes on the tree
Santa’s on his way,
He’s filled his sleigh
With things, things for you and for me

It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear
Seems to say
Merry Christmas
May your New Year dreams come true
And this song of mine
In three quarter time
Wishes you and yours
The same thing too

Merry Christmas
May your New Year dreams come true
And this song of mine
In three quarter time
Wishes you and yours
The same thing too
Merry Christmas to you

I miss hearing Clay this year!!

But, many thanks to all who have shared pictures and videos!!