The Bells of Bethlehem, 3-LP set, 1973

This is an interesting mashup from Columbia Special Products.

The three LPs fit into two discs.  The "Christmas in the Holy Land" is a Christmas service recorded in a Bethlehem church.

Then you have "Christmas in Europe," with some fine performances of some old stuff.

"Christmas in America" is a mixed bag of goodies and absolutely embarrassing cheese.  The aforementioned dairy byproduct is all courtesy of the Norman Luboff choir, which takes several Christmas songs and processes them into finely milled pap.

The Bells of Bethlehem

Disc 1 (70:45)

Christmas in the Holy Land, St Catherine's Latin Church

01. Matins - The Invitatory - Jesu, Redemptor omnium - Introit and Psalm - Te Deum laudamus (5:47)

02. Silet Nox (1:24)

03. Opening Prayers - Kyrie (4:18)

04. Kyrie (concluded) (2:54)

05. Gloria (9:08)

06. Alleluia-  Announcement of  the Gospel - Et incarnatus est - Amen (3:59)

07. Puer natus est in Bethlehem -  Prayers and Announcement of the Preface (3:59)

08. Sanctus (4:45)

09. Consecration - Pater noster - Exchange of the Signs of Peace - Agnus Dei - Communion (6:51)

10. Adeste fideles - Final Prayers and Blessing - Procession to the Grotto of the Nativity - Bells of Bethlehem (6:02)

Christmas in Europe

The Deller Consort:

11. The Holly and the Ivy (2:40)

12. I Saw Three Ships (2:01)

13. Nesciens Mater (Byttering) (1:57)

Vienna State Opera Orchestra:

14. O Tannenbaum  (1:43)

15. Josef lieber, Josef mein  (3:21)

16. Es wird scho glei dumpa  (2:41)

17. Stille Nacht  (2:38)

18. Zion Hears the Watchmen (Bach)  (4:37)

The Bells of Bethlehem

Disc 2 (64:02)

Christmas in Europe, continued

01. Noël!  Il Est Né, Le Divin Enfant - Ensemble Vocal de Beauvais (2:50)

02. Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle - Martha Schlamme (1:58)

03. Et in terra pax (Ciconia) - Musica Antiqua of Vienna (2:45)

04. Pujdem spolu do Betlema - Nastal nam den vesely - Children’s Chorus of Radio Prague (2:11)

05. Przybiezeli do Betlejem - Bog sie rodzi - Children’s Chorus of Radio Prague (6:35)

06. Gymel of Guilelmus Monachus - Musica Antiqua of Vienna (1:06)

07. In die nativitas (Smert) - The Deller Consort (3:31)

08. Hodie Christus natus est (Palestrina) - The Deller Consort (1:29)

Christmas in America

09. Joy to the World - Philadelphia Brass Ensemble (1:10)

10. What Child Is This? - E Power Biggs, Gregg Smith Singers (3:09)

11. Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains - Mormon Tabernacle Choir (1:38)

12. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Philadelphia Brass Ensemble (1:34)

13. The Twelve Days of Christmas - Norman Luboff Choir (3:34)

14. Oh Come, All Ye Faithful - Norman Luboff Choir (1:47)

15. Silent Night - E Power Biggs, Gregg Smith Singers, Texas Boys Chorus (2:54)

16. Good King Wenceslas - E Power Biggs, Gregg Smith Singers, Texas Boys Chorus (2:55)

17. Silver Bells - Ray Coniff Singers  (2:26)

18. Go Tell It on the Mountain - Mahalia Jackson (2:44)

19. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Philadelphia Brass Ensemble (1:23)

20. The Little Drummer Boy - Ray Coniff Singers (3:22)

21. Away in a Manger - Mormon Tabernacle Choir (3:15)

22. The First Noël - Norman Luboff Choir (1:47)

23. We Three Kings of Orient Are - E Power Biggs, Columbia Chamber Orchestra (3:00)

24. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen - E Power Biggs, Gregg Smith Singers, Texas Boys Chorus (2:04)

25. Here We Come A-Wassailing - Norman Luboff Choir (1:16)

26. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Norman Luboff Choir (1:40)

But judge for yourself!  Be advised that this is a fat file of the music and scans of the insert booklet.

The Bells of Bethlehem

 See you on Thursday with more Christmas music!