Guides & Resources

Psalm 104, Thou shalt send forth thy spirit (Psalm 103 in the Douay-Rheims): the Catholic text of the creation and Pentecost psalm, its meaning, and a prayer.

The Advent hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel in English (Neale) and Latin (Veni, Veni, Emmanuel), its roots in the O Antiphons, what each verse means, and its history.

Psalm 80, Stir up thy might, and come to save us (Psalm 79 in the Douay-Rheims): the Catholic text of the psalm that opens Advent, and its meaning.

Good King Wenceslas by John Mason Neale (1853): the original lyrics, who St. Wenceslaus really was, the Feast of Stephen, the message of charity, and a prayer.

Away in a Manger: the lyrics of the children’s carol, who really wrote it (not Martin Luther), the Gospel behind it, the first Nativity scene, and a prayer.

Joy to the World by Isaac Watts (1719): the full lyrics, the story of the carol, its roots in Psalm 98, what each verse means, and a Christmas prayer.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing by Charles Wesley (1739): the full lyrics, how the carol came to be, the Bible verses behind each line, and a Christmas prayer.

O Little Town of Bethlehem by Phillips Brooks (1868): the full lyrics, the visit to Bethlehem that inspired it, the prophecy behind it, its meaning, and a prayer.

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear by Edmund Sears (1849): the full lyrics, the history of the carol, the angels’ song of peace in Luke 2, its meaning, and a prayer.

What Child Is This? by William Chatterton Dix (1865), sung to Greensleeves: the full lyrics, the story of the carol, what it says about Jesus and Mary, and a prayer.