In this podcast, we reflect upon the words of a classic Christmas Carol, 'Angels We Have Heard On High'.

LYRICS

Angels we have on heard high

Sweetly singing o'er the plains

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Shepherds why this Jubilee

Why your joyous strains prolong

What the gladsome tidings be

Which inspire your heavenly song

Come to Bethlehem to see

him whose birth the angels sing

Come adore on bended knee

Christ the Lord the newborn King

'Angels We Have Heard On High' performed by Artes Christi

In this podcast Brendan Slovacek from the Sydney Archdiocese NET team, explains the meaning and symbolism behind the Christmas tree and why the Christmas tree has become such an icon of the Christmas and Advent Season.

Have you ever thought about the origin of the Advent wreath and how it became such a prominent feature of the Christmas celebration? Listen to Niko Vanden from the Archdiocese of Sydney Net team as he discusses the history behind the wreath and reflects on his personal testimony about the wreath.

In this podcast, we reflect upon the words of a classic Christmas Carol, 'Joy To The World'.

LYRICS

Verse 1:

Joy to the World the Lord is come

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and heaven

And nature sing

Verse 2:

Joy to the earth the Savior reigns

Let men their songs employ

While fields and floods

Rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

Verse 3:

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders, wonders of His love

And wonders, wonders of His love

Joy to the World: Arranged and Recorded by Rob and Evangeline Sperti

Composed by George Frederic Handel, Isaac Watts

(CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

In this "My Family Christmas" podcast we hear from Australian religion teacher, Mary Broadsmith. Mary tells us about some of her favourite Christmas memories, and how she prepares both herself and her students for the birth of Christ.

The Archdiocese of Sydney’s Auxiliary Bishop, Richard Umbers speaks to Xt3.com about how he prepares his heart for Christ during Advent.

In the interview Bishop Umbers discusses his love for the Christmas crib scenes and how they help him to pray. Xt3 was surprised to learn that Bishop Umbers has a Christmas day tradition that we wouldn’t have guessed, but you will have to listen to the podcast to find out what it is.

In this podcast, we reflect upon the words of Australian composed Christmas song, 'The Silver Stars in the Sky'.

Sung by Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral Choir, composed by William G. James.

St Mary's Cathedral Choir in Sydney is the oldest musical institution in Australia.

LYRICS

The silver stars are in the sky,

The red-gold moon goes riding high,

O, sleep my little one sleep!

Once long ago, against her breast,

A mother watched her angel rest,

Who was the Prince of Heav'n above,

The Lord of gentleness and love.

O, sleep, my little one sleep!

The boobook calls across the night,

The brown moths flutter in the light,

O, sleep, my little one sleep!

In Bethlehem long, long ago,

When roads and paddocks gleam'd with snow;

On this same night, that mother mild,

Lull'd into dreams her royal child.

So, sleep, my little one, sleep!

Used with kind permission from St Mary's Cathedral Choir.

Have you ever wondered where the Christmas tradition of gift giving and hanging stockings came from?

Joshua Tolentino from CFC Youth for Christ explains these long-held Christmas traditions and shares his own experience with these traditions.

John Jurgutis works for CRADIO, an Australian online Catholic radio channel, and was discerning to be a priest in the Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit (Pauline Fathers) based in Poland. In this podcast, he discusses the unique and interesting traditions of Advent and Christmas in Poland, and in particular of the monastery which he was living for a number of years. Listen to how the monastery prepares for Christmas during Advent in a very penitential way, truly in the spirit of waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

In this interview Fr Allan talks about the joys of bringing the Gospel of Christ to Papau New Guinea where he is a missionary priest. Although the tropical heat when celebrating Mass and wearing vestments can be unbearable he loves to meet Christ in the people.