Sing these 6 carols in RCIA for strong holiday catechesis

7 thoughts on “Sing these 6 carols in RCIA for strong holiday catechesis”

  1. While I didn’t even think of using carols for catechesis until just reading this article (though it’s not too late even for Christmas 2011), the hymn that came to my mind is “O Holy Night.”

    I’ve always grown fond of the lines:

    “Long lay the world in sin and error pining
    Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
    A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
    For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!”

    Teaching points I see are:
    -original sin and the absolute necessity of a savior because of the dire situation humanity was in
    -the dignity of the human person (“the soul felt its worth”) and how Jesus reveals what it truly means to be human

  2. “The Holly and the Ivy”
    The relationship between Christmas and the Paschal Mystery.

    1. The holly and the ivy,
    When they are both full grown
    Of all the trees that are in the wood
    The holly bears the crown
    O the rising of the sun
    And the running of the deer
    The playing of the merry organ
    Sweet singing of the choir

    2. The holly bears a blossom
    As white as lily flower
    And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
    To be our sweet Savior
    O the rising of the sun….

    3. The holly bears a berry
    As red as any blood
    And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
    To do poor sinners good
    O the rising of the sun….

    4. The holly bears a prickle
    As sharp as any thorn;
    And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
    On Christmas Day in the morn.
    O the rising of the sun….

    5. The holly bears a bark
    As bitter as any gall;
    And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
    For to redeem us all.
    O the rising of the sun….

    6. The holly and the ivy
    Now both are full well grown,
    Of all the trees that are in the wood,
    The holly bears the crown.
    O the rising of the sun….

  3. Let us not forget “O come, O come Emmanuel” that gives us the church’s O Antiphons and is a catechetical diamond mine of names for our Savior to explain how He fulfilled the ancient prophecies. I bring a small tree on which we hang these symbols as we pray the prayer of the Church and sing the verse that goes with it.

    We also make a point of praying and reflecting on the Gloria, which the angels first sang to the shepherds about the newborn King.

  4. I enjoy this but have some concern about the Word holiday. Please why holiday catechesis. Why not Chrismas catechesis. Jesus is the reason for this season and so let us acknowledge Him.

    Thanks. Happy Christmas ALL!

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