Favourite Carols from around the Territory

Captain Khanyi Mcineka: Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Khubvi Corps, Limpopo Division)

The first verse of this carol reminds me of the reason for Christ’s birth on earth. The events surrounding it were strange, miraculous, and not fancy but profoundly special and graceful. Christ’s birth was intended to be a solution to reconcile the broken relationship between humanity and God. The song emphasizes that the birth of the newborn king was a joyful occasion because this was not an ordinary child but God Himself, providing the solution for sinners to reconcile with God. I pray that this Christmas, as we reflect on this special event, we may reconcile and make peace with each other, portraying the peace, love, and joy that were modelled by Jesus Christ. May we be channels of peace to those who need it, channels of love to the unloved, and bring joy to the heavy-laden.

Lieut Colonel Doris Dlamini – Silent Night (THQ)

This Carol moves my heart. In my personal experience, the emotions stirred by the beauty of the song are intertwined with my own fears and tears. The incredible reality that “the maker of the moon” humbled Himself for my sake becomes evident. Contrary to the serene image the song conveys, there was nothing silent or calm about giving birth, and the night of Jesus’ arrival was far from clean or easy for Mary. The lyrics, “All is calm, all is bright,” reinforces a powerful truth that the Almighty is with me in all my ups and downs. It is a truly great song that has the ability to relax not only the soul but also the mind and body.

Abigail Zola : A Starry Night (Windhoek Corps, Western Cape Division)

My favourite Christmas carol will definitely have to be ‘A starry night’. I think my main reason for liking this Christmas carol is the music. From the first time I played it, I knew this was the one. I play trombone and I get very excited every time I play this particular Christmas carol. The melody, the harmonies. It is all different but it comes together in a truly mesmerizing way. It is an upbeat song and that’s one of my favourite aspects of this song.  And the lyrics, are just so appealing to my artist mind: stars… heaven… angels…peace… Blissful harmony!

Emihle Buthelezi : Jingle Bell Rock (Northern KwaZulu Natal Division)

It is that time of the year when we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. Christmas is a nice time where we sing Christmas carols. My favourite Christmas song is ‘Jingle bell rock’. This reminds me to be joyful as it is a time to be thankful for the wonderful gift of Jesus. ‘Jingle bell rock’ also brings back good memories with friends as we use to play this song in our percussion group.

Major Amenda Doubell : Manger Throne (Mountain Lodge Psychiatric Centre, Central Division)

This is a Christmas song by Phil Wickham. These lyrics are particularly meaningful: You could have stepped into creation, With fire for all to see. Arriving with the host of Heaven, In royal robe and crown. But You chose meekness over majesty, Wrapped Your power in humanity. You could have marched in all Your glory, Into the heart of Rome. Showed thеm splendour like they’d nеver known. But You wrote a better story, In humble Bethlehem.

No grand entrance. No pomp and ceremony. No bells and whistles. King Jesus demonstrated His love for humanity, motivated by compassion, valuing everyone. He was accessible, never too busy, interacting with and meeting all people. This is my Servant King, the Humble King. “To be like Jesus, this hope possesses me.” Jesus authored a better story in humble Bethlehem. Let us choose meekness over majesty so that we too can write a better story in 2024.

Major Anderson Mbane: Silent Night (Mount Frere Corps, Eastern Cape Division)

My favourite Christmas Carol is ‘Silent Night.’ It reminds me of the night of Jesus’ birth, the night when the Lord brought Jesus into the world to fulfil His purpose of sacrificial love. It was the night He was birthed with the purpose to die—for me, to pay the price on my behalf. This song fills me with gratitude for God’s perfect plan of salvation.

Ufulu Grey – We are the reason (Montpelier Corps, Mid Kwa Zulu Natal Division)

My favourite Christmas song is ‘We are the Reason.’ The song starts with the words: “As little children we would dream of Christmas morning...” and then it says, “We are the reason He gave His life.” This song reminds me of how much God loves the world and how He loves me personally (John 3:16). It also challenges us to love one another this Christmas, just like God loved us through Jesus Christ.

Major Priscilla Ziqubu: Away in a manger (DHQ, Eastern Kwa Zulu Natal Division)

My favourite carol is ‘Away in the manger’ especially the words of the last verse:

‘Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever, And love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.’

I really started to enjoy this song when we had the privilege to serve on the Island of St Helena. During this time of the year we would be very busy with carols around the Island and doing so with meaning. In Luke 24:29, His disciples urged Jesus strongly, ‘stay with us ….’ It is my prayer that Jesus will stay with me, not only for the festive season, but daily. This time of the year can be very lonely for many people, for parents who so wish to provide for their children and have no means, a boy/girl child on the street who doesn’t seem to have a reason to celebrate. May the Lord Jesus be near them during this season, providing tender care. Jesus is the reason for this celebration, and we rejoice because His birth gave us the opportunity to be called children of God, and we are redeemed through His birth.

Lieutenant Gregory Phello: Go tell it on the mountain (Emangweni Corps, Mpumalanga & eSwatini Division)

The year was 2010, and the December carol season was upon us. As bandsmen, we eagerly embraced the responsibility of spreading Christmas cheer in malls to raise funds for various missions for the corps and community. While people joyfully gave their donations, a lady paused as we played a particular carol. She asked if we knew the words to the carol, and we shared the title with her, “Go, Tell It on the mountains.” However, she persisted, wanting to know if we, as bandsmen, understood the meaning behind the lyrics. It was the first time I took a closer look and truly grasped the words, especially the chorus: “Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and far away, Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.”

For me the message still stands, and truly this encounter reaffirmed that I am called to go and tell of the coming of Jesus and his unending love and presence to the whosoever.

Anthony Bell: Silent Night (Athlone Corps, Western Cape Division)

We live in a chaotic world where busyness is a virtue, and the noise never stops. No Silent Night! “Silent Night, Holy Night, all is Calm, All is Bright“. A simple birth, in the most common of environments, under a starry sky … very peaceful.

The problems we face today are serious and sobering. The same was true of the world Jesus entered. He was born in humility and poverty to show us what love is – how it acts, how it speaks, how it thinks, how it lives. No matter what we go through in this life, or what we are up against today, we do not have to be shaken. This side of Heaven we wait, we work, we pray, and we sing, trusting the God whose love is perfectly able to make all things calm and all things bright.

Dudu Mkhwanazi: Joy to the World (THQ)

“Joy to the World” is, among others, my favourite Christmas carol. The birth of Christ is a symbol of joy in Christian living. This carol has consistently brought happiness to the celebration of His birth, brightening the essence of Christmas for me. As the Bible recounts in Luke 2:8-10: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Andre van Niekerk: Who is He? (PE Central Corps, Eastern Cape Division)

This carol means much to me as it portrays the entire purpose of Christmas. Looking at the words:

Who is He in yonder stall, at whose feet the Shepherds fall? I must personally fall at Jesus’ feet daily. Who is He in deep distress, fasting in the wilderness? How Jesus fasted for forty days makes this a holy season of self denial. Who is He the people bless, for His words of gentleness? Gentleness, as modelled by our Lord, does not mean weakness but can also be defined as courage. Who is He to Whom they bring, all the sick and sorrowing? I bring my loved ones and others to Christ daily. Who is He on yonder tree, dies in grief and agony? This is the goal of Christmas and the love He showed to die for me in agony. Who is He that from the grave, comes to heal and help and save? The grave could not hold Him! Who is He that from His throne, rules through all the world alone? God alone will rule through eternity. ‘Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! ‘Tis the Lord! The King of glory! At His feet I humbly bow. Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!