This is one of my favorite carols.  It is quiet and peaceful.
And no one knows who wrote it!  It first appeared anonymously in 1823 from somewhere in western England.  The word “Noel” is a French word with Latin roots meaning birthday.
Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus!

A few weeks ago [a friend] asked if she could use this carol off one of my Christmas CDs for a project she was working on called A Blue Christmas.  Of course!  And I had forgotten about this arrangement….slightly “bluesy”….and decided it was time to play it again.

God Rest….is a traditional English Christmas carol dating back to the 16th century.  It is sung by carolers in Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol, and enrages Scrooge.  In past years we would be attending Commonweal and watching our talented friends perform this Christmas play.  Next year!!!!!   “O tidings of comfort and joy!”