Not to be obsessed with donkeys (see above), but in trying to choose a favorite Christmas carol, I discovered there’s one called Donkey Carol! (Who knew?!) It’s a lively song with the sweetest words that is the perfect complement to my blog about donkeys in the Holy Land. Give a listen.

Donkey Carol

By John Rutter and performed by The Cambridge Singers with The City of London Sinfonia

Not content to share just one carol (and not even a classic one, at that) I’m linking to a few more gems. The next one is a wonderfully spirited medieval carol.

Gaudete

Originally published in a collection of Finnish/Swedish sacred songs in 1582 and performed by Liberia

Switching gears, the next song is a beautifully spare performance of a classic carol.

I Wonder as I Wander

By John Jacob Niles and performed by Maureen Hegarty

I have a soft spot for carols that are slow and contemplative. So here are two more that fall into that category.

In the Bleak Midwinter

Based on a poem by Christina Rossetti and performed by Susan Boyle with Liberia

Let all Mortal Flesh

A Medieval folk song sometimes sung as a Christmas carol. Derived from “Prayer of the Cherubic Hymn” from the litany of St. James and written in the 4^th century. Performed by Fernando Ortega