Part of the joy of Christmas is the connection we have to our Christmases in the past. My favorite Christmas carols are hymns written years ago, sometimes centuries ago. When Mary was assembling music for her Christmas album her brother Scott suggested a song that he found that he loves. We had never heard of it before you showed it to us. It is called Taladh Chriosda (Christ’s Lullaby). It is a hymn traditionally sung at midnight mass. It comes from the Scottish Isles and was written around 1855 by a Scottish priest.
Mary sings the first verse in Scots Gaelic, the Ledgerwoods come from the borders of Scotland and Mary has embraced her Scottish heritage. The Scottish Isles can be inhospitable and harsh. Jesus came into this world to bring God’s love, mercy, grace, peace and joy, even to the most desolate places, and even the most desperate people, people like me.
The song was written as a lullaby for the baby Jesus. It has 29 verses, Mary selected her favorite verses for the recording.
If you have a few minutes please click on the link and listen. If you enjoy the song, please share it with your family and friends.
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