The island of Ireland (home to two separate countries at present) has, throughout its history, been known for eras of political upheaval, economic misfortune, substance abuse, natural disasters, and truly gloomy weather. And so, it’s a cosmic irony that it has also produced some of the most joyful music any culture has fashioned. The playful stomping rhythms and melodic play of fiddles and pipes is a true counterpoint to the island’s long, ofttimes, downtrodden history.
And Christmas is truly a great theme for this joyful sound. With the aptly titled, Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas), veteran Irish (mostly) band We Are Messengers gives us a second Irish Christmas record this year alongside fellow “islanders,” Rend Collective. And with the word “joy” in the title, We Are Messengers delivers a fresh new (retro, that is) sound for a Christmas record. Expanding on last year’s EP, Rejoice! finds lead ‘messenger’ Darren Mullen and company in fine form on this album recorded live at the historic Mullaghfad Church in Northern Ireland.
And the live nature of the album is its greatest strength. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” bursts through the speakers with percussive bodhran drums (a traditional handheld Celtic instrument), a jaunty fiddle, and lively ulleann pipes (a smaller cousin to the Scottish bag pipes), propelling the old carol in fine form. Mullen’s distinct Irish brogue baritone voice is a good fit for this setting, and “Hark!” has never sounded better. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” follows with a mournful fiddle starting the song with a somber tone, and the ancient melody rings out clear and concise. (Did you know that “O Come” is possibly the oldest continually sung song in the Western world? It dates back potentially to the early Middle Ages in Europe.)
What makes the album such a treasure of a Christmas record is the inclusion of lesser-known (to American audiences) carols, like “Thorn And Thistle,” “The Wexford Carol” and “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Rejoice).” These tunes give the album an exotic, mystical feel and are a relief to hear in a world of “Jingle Bells” being placed on every holiday album out there. “Long Expected Jesus” has a particularly poignant message for Christmas time: “Come, thou long expected Jesus / born to set thy people free / from our fears and sins release us / let us find our rest in thee / Israel’s strength and consolation / hope of all the earth thou art / dear desire of every nation / joy of every longing heart.” It’s a treat to hear this historic Christmas hymn (written by the great church reformer and hymn writer, Charles Wesley) in this setting, and the words ring out as true and applicable today as they did in Wesley’s day three hundred years ago.
Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) is a wonderful, refreshing blast of Irish Christmas music energy from “across the pond,” and is highly recommended for your soul this advent season.
– Review date: 12/10/25, written by Alex Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com