Description
Very good dust jacket with illustration of Mary and Joseph holding baby Jesus, a mylar dust jacket has been added. Some slight chipping to edges. Very Good+ condition binding is gray cloth over boards with illustration and title in red. Red lettering on spine. The binding is tight and pages are clean. The book measures 8.2″ tall x 5.5″ wide.
About the book (from the dust jacket)
CHRISTMAS SONGS AND THEIR STORIES is an invitingly written and thoroughly interesting selection of facts about Christmas songs from different countries and different racial backgrounds. In addition to presenting the complete words, with variations in some cases, of 54 songs, it gives the origins of the songs, the stories of the writers and composers wherever possible, and offers pertinent information on where music for the songs may be found today.
Here is a book for those who enjoy Christmas music and like to read about how different peoples at different times have expressed the spirit that makes this holy day so well loved. It will also be warmly appreciated by those who have been aware that there has been no other book available dealing with more than a half dozen or a dozen Christmas songs, their history, special characteristics, content, or suitability for use in special ways. Included in this outstanding collection are such beautiful and widely varying songs as ” Away in a Manger”; ‘ Watchman, Tell Us of the Night”; “The Boar’s Head Carol'”; “Go, Tell It on the Mountains”; “O Holy Night!”; ” Brahms’s Cradle Song (Christmas Version)”; and many others familiar songs such as O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Deck the Halls,” and such unusual ones as “He Became Incarnate,” a Christmas carol of India. The international flavor of the book is vividly emphasized with the ” National and Racial Grouping of selections given at the end of the volume, while such little-known facts as the symbolic meaning of the traditions of certain songs, help bring unusual the holly and the ivy, and anecdotes connected with interest to the whole book.
The careful scholarship and convenient arrangement of the material make the book of particular value to church and Sunday school workers, ministers, and leaders of nonchurch groups preparing Christmas programs. The appealing stories of the creation of some of the world’s best-loved music and poetry make it a book to be appreciated and used not only at Christmas time, but during the rest of the year, and not only as a dependable volume of reference and information, but as a source of pure enjoyment.
About the author (from the dust jacket)
HERBERT H. WERNECKE was educated at Milwaukee State Teachers College, Mission House College (A.B.), Western Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Ph.D.). He served as principal of the junior high school at Valders, Wisconsin, from 1914 to 1916, and was pastor of Baileyville Dutch Reformed Church, 1924 to 1927. He then became Professor of Church History and Religious Education at Central Theological Semiz nary, Dayton, Ohio, which position he held from 1927 to 1934, until the merger with Eden Theological and librarian at Eden Theological Seminary. Among Dr. Wernecke’s previously published books are ” Faith” in the New Testament, Picturesque Songs and Costumes Around the World The Book of Revelation Speaks to Us, When Loved Ones Are Called Home, and Favorite Christmas, Folk and Sacred Songs.
