We are a small Episcopal Church on the banks of the Rappahannock in Port Royal, Virginia. We acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the first people of Port Royal, the Nandtaughtacund, and we respect and honor with gratitude the land itself, the legacy of the ancestors, and the life of the Rappahannock Tribe. Our mission statement is to do God’s Will in all that we do.

Introduction

Back to: The Twelve Days of Christmas Carols

Much like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, “Angels from the Realms of Glory”, and “Angels We Have Heard on High”, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” focuses primarily on the angels in the Christmas narrative (Lk 2:14) and their message to the shepherds: “Peace on the earth, goodwill to men.”

In fact, “It Came  Upon a Midnight Clear” might be the only popular Christmas carol in our hymnals today that does not mention the birth of Christ. It also happens to be one of the first Christmas carols Americans wrote and composed.