Devotions-Christmas-Songs

1. " Make A Joyful Noise Unto The LORD"

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise." Psalms 98:4

A few years ago I did some research and found stories behind some of my favorite Christmas carols and songs. After putting the stories and songs together, our church performed a play titled, "O Come, All Ye Faithful." For our next devotional theme I want to look back at some of those stories and maybe add a few more. If you would like to see the script for the play, go to "O Come, All Ye Faithful" Christmas Play. At the end of the play are references I used for research.

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2. "O Come, All Ye Faithful"

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2:15-16

“O Come, All Ye Faithful”, these words have echoed through the ages, calling us to worship our God and our King. As we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus we see the “faithful” gathered around a lowly manger. We read of faithful men and women in the Holy Scriptures and know that above all, God is faithful to keep His Word. Now we want to look at some of the faithful men and women who, often through adversity, wrote the Christmas carols we enjoy year after year.

“ O Come, All Ye Faithful”. What a beautiful old song. Published in 1760 as “Adestes Fideles” in Latin, by John Francis Wade, this song may have been sung as early as the 13th century. Since the shepherds first heard the tidings of the dear Savior’s birth and proclaimed, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem…” we extend this invitation to you, “O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!” Worship with us as we exalt our loving Savior through the scriptures and songs that we have come to know and love.

O come, all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye,

O come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold Him

Born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,

Sing in exultation,

Sing, all ye citizens

Of heaven above;

Glory to God,

Glory in the highest;

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,

Born this happy morning,

Jesus, to Thee be

All glory given;

Son of the Father,

Now in flesh appearing;

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord.

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3. The Song Of Mary

The first song of Christmas can perhaps be found in our Holy scriptures as Mary, the mother of our precious Savior visited with her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. We find those words of praise in Luke 1:46-55.

“…My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.”

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4. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

Matthew also opens his book with the Christmas story…

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:18-23)

“Emmanuel”, God with us. This was proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah some 700 years before, as the nation of Israel looked for the coming of the Lord.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

Possibly as early as the 12th century someone in the medieval Roman Catholic Church penned down these words pleading with God to return and redeem captive Israel. The song was translated into English by John Mason Neale in the early 1800’s.

"O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel."

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5. "O Little Town Of Bethlehem"

The prophet Micah foretold that the Lord would be born in the little town of Bethlehem.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2)

We see this come to pass in Luke chapter 2.

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” (Luke 2:1-5)

In 1868 Phillips Brooks wrote a Christmas carol for the children in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia. He gave it to the organist of the church, Lewis H. Redner, to compose a tune so the children could sing it for the Christmas Sunday School service. He had taken a trip to Bethlehem three years earlier and the memories must have been very dear to him. He had written a letter to his church while still abroad in February 1866. “I remember especially on Christmas Eve, when I was standing in the old church at Bethlehem, close to the spot where Jesus was born, when the whole church was ringing hour after hour with the splendid hymns of praise to God, how again and again it seemed as if I could hear voices that I knew well, telling each other of the “Wonderful Night” of the Saviour’s birth…” Listen in your heart as you read the verses of this beautiful Christmas carol that was written for the children, in Philadelphia, in 1868.

1. O little town of Bethlehem,

How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by;

Yet in thy darkness shineth

The everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight.

2. For Christ is born of Mary,

And fathered all above,

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars, together

Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God, the King,

And peace to men on earth.

3. How silently, how silently,

The wondrous Gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

4. O holy Child of Bethlehem,

Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin and enter in,

Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell:

Oh, come to us, abide with us,

Our Lord Immanuel!

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6. “In A Lowly Manger Sleeping”

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6-7)

Fanny Crosby became blind after the wrong medication was used on her eyes shortly after her birth in 1820. Through the darkness, she saw God’s light and wrote 8,000 songs and hymns, often under different names so that all the songs in the hymn book would not be accredited to her. We sing many of her songs today. “Near The Cross”, “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior”, “Blessed Assurance”, “Showers Of Blessings”, “To God Be The Glory”, “Close To Thee”, “Rescue The Perishing”, “All The Way My Savior Leads Me”, “God Will Take Care Of You”, and “My Savior First Of All” are just a few that express the deep love she had for her Savior. She wrote this Christmas hymn in 1883.

In a lowly manger sleeping,

Calm and still a Babe we see,

’Tis the Holy Child of promise,

Light of all the world is He.

Holy angels sing His welcome

In the realms of glory bright,

While the morning stars around Him

Fall in soft and tender light.

Blessèd Savior, dear Redeemer,

King of Judah, Prince of Peace,

Rock of Ages, Star of nations,

Thy dominion ne’er shall cease.

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7. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:8-14)

The words and music of our next song span one hundred years. Charles Wesley, leader of the Methodist movement, wrote the song in 1739 and although the words sing with triumphant praise, he had specifically stated that he wanted slow solemn music. The song we sing today rings with the joyful cantata of the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn, written in 1840. He declared his music only to be used for secular use. In 1855 Dr. William Cummings joined the words and music into the song we sing today, although both men would have objected if they had been living. Can you imagine what they would have said if they had known the song would be sung on a Christmas cartoon in 1965 by Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and a dog named Snoopy?

Hark! the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled!

Joyful all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies;

With the angelic host proclaim

'Christ is born in Bethlehem'

Hark! the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King.

Christ by highest heaven adored

Christ the everlasting Lord

Late in time behold him come,

Offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

Hail, the incarnate deity,

Pleased as Man with men to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn King.

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!

Hail the Son of righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

Risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that man no more may die,

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn king

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8. “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day”

I read the sad story behind this Christmas song and it did not leave me. During the next year I researched several Christmas stories to write our play but not one touched me as this one did. Be sure to read each verse of the song below.

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” (Luke 2:15-18)

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“I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” was written by one of America’s best known poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The Civil War began in 1861 and tragedy also struck his home in July of that year when his wife was melting sealing wax with a candle and caught her dress on fire. Longfellow tried to smother the flames with a small rug in the room, but Fanny Longfellow died the next morning, leaving him behind with five children. Due to his burns, he was unable to attend her funeral and was still grief stricken at Christmas when he wrote, “How inexpressibly sad are all holidays.” A year after her death he wrote, “I can make no record of these days. Better leave them wrapped in silence. Perhaps someday God will give me peace.” His journal entry for December 25th of 1862 reads, “A merry Christmas’ say the children, but that is no more for me.” His son Charles was severely wounded in the Civil War almost a year later and his journal was indeed wrapped in silence. On Christmas Day, in 1864, still months away from the end of the Civil War, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned these words to “Christmas Bells”. Listen as he proclaims, “God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!”

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, A chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound The carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent

The hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn The households born

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong, And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men."

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9. "Silent Night"

This song was the highlight of our Christmas play. The narration began with a British Soldier of WWI in a beige uniform and ended with a German Soldier of WWI in a gray uniform. The German Soldier sang a verse of "Stille Nacht" and the British Soldier sang a verse of "Silent Night". They alternated singing the verses of the familiar song and then exchanged small gifts.

Silent Night was written by Joseph Mohr in Oberndorf, Austria in 1816. Two years later, on Christmas Eve 1818, he gave the poem to his church organist and asked him to write music for the guitar, possibly because the organ was broken. The music was written quickly and the song was sung on Christmas Day. Two singing families traveled to that little church and carried the song with them across the land. During the next hundred years the song traveled around the world.

World War I started in the summer of 1914 and by Christmas almost a million lives had been lost. As the German and British soldiers lay some 60 yards apart on either side of “No man’s land” in deep trenches of icy, murky mud, an amazing thing happened. Late Christmas Eve a baritone voice came booming from the German side, “Stille Nacht”. The British could not understand the words, but knew the music well and responded with their words of “Silent Night”. The opposing troops alternated singing Christmas carols and the Germans lit candles on small Christmas trees. On Christmas Day the soldiers crossed the barbed wire and called a truce. They exchanged small gifts and buttons, and joined services to bury the dead. This one time in history, never again repeated, the guns were silenced and enemies called a truce as they celebrated Christmas, in the first World War, December 25th, 1914.

Silent night, Holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin, mother and child

Holy infant, tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, Holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord at thy birth

Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Silent night, Holy night

Shepherds quake, at the sight

Glories stream from heaven above

Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah.

Christ the Savior is born,

Christ the Savior is born.

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10. "What Child Is This?"

Our final song in our Christmas play, "O Come, All Ye Faithful" was "What Child Is This?"

What Child is this whose birth was foretold and so anticipated? What Child is this whose promise of a second coming brings hope to a Christian people? What Child is this that left His mark on the little town of Bethlehem and still bears the marks of the cross throughout eternity? What Child is this that can heal the broken in spirit and give sight to blinded eyes? What Child is this whose birth was heralded by angels and yet gives the peace of a Silent Night? “This, this is Christ, the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.” These words were penned by William Chatterton Dix in 1865 after a sudden near-fatal illness confined him to bed rest for several months. Through his illness and deep depression he wrote many hymns, including this beautiful song set to the familiar tune Greensleeves, which had been written centuries before.

What child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

the cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

the Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,

Come, peasant, king, to own him.

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone him.

Raise, raise a song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The babe, the Son of Mary.

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The babe, the son of Mary.

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11. "How Many Kings?"

"And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19:16

A few years ago I heard a song while grocery shopping that made me stop pushing my cart and listen. It was a Christmas song, but so much more. I had never heard the story of Christ giving His life for me, in words so clear, being played in a public place. I could not wait to get home to look it up on the internet. I liked the song so much Mike ordered me a cd and more for Christmas presents. The song is by the group Downhere. Here is a statement from their website.

“"It’s not just about a baby in a manger, but about the whole story,” affirms Martel. “It’s a look at all the hopes placed on this fragile baby, who will eventually grow, take on the sins of the world, be crucified and rise again. There’s a mystery and a wonder behind it and also foreshadowing of what’s to come, which translates to redemption for the lost and the ultimate hope for the future.”" (Downhere - Mark Martel)

Here are the words to "How Many Kings?" that tell the amazing story of love of our Lord and King.

"Follow the star to a place unexpected

Would you believe, after all we've projected,

A child in a manger?

Lowly and small, the weakest of all

Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl -

Just a child -

Is this who we've waited for? 'cause...

How many kings step down from their thrones?

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

And how many gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that is torn all apart

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior

All that we have, whether costly or meek

Because we believe.

Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure

And myrrh for the cross he will suffer

Do you believe?

Is this who we've waited for?

All for me...

All for you..."

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12. "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

Yesterday we looked at a newer Christmas song which speaks of Jesus as our Savior, and today we look back in history to a very old song which also proclaims Jesus as Christ our Savior. The date and author of this well known carol are not known. (The following information was taken from Wikipedia and supported by various other sources.) "It is referred to in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, 1843: "...at the first sound of 'God bless you, merry gentlemen! May nothing you dismay!', Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost.""

The carol exists in a wide variety of versions, some with differing numbers of verses.

Circa 1760 (from Three New Christmas Carols, Printed and Sold at the Printing-Office on Bow Church-Yard, London):

God rest you merry, Gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay,

For Jesus Christ our Savior

Was born upon this Day.

To save poor souls from Satan's power,

Which long time had gone astray.

Which brings tidings of comfort and joy.

Here is the version many sing today.

1. God rest you merry, gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay,

For Jesus Christ our Saviour

Was born upon this day,

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray:

O tidings of comfort and joy,comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

2. From God our heavenly Father

A blessed angel came,

And unto certain shepherds

Brought tidings of the same,

How that in Bethlehem was born

The Son of God by name:

O tidings ...

3. The shepherds at those tidings

Rejoiced much in mind,

And left their flocks a-feeding

In tempest, storm and wind,

And went to Bethlehem straightway,

This blessed Babe to find:

O tidings ...

4. But when to Bethlehem they came,

Whereat this Infant lay,

They found Him in a manger,

Where oxen feed on hay;

His mother Mary kneeling,

Unto the Lord did pray:

O tidings ...

5. Now to the Lord sing praises,

All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood

Each other now embrace;

This holy tide of Christmas

All other doth deface:

O tidings ...

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13. "Mary, Did You Know?"

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

Some of my favorite Christmas memories were made as I rocked my babies in the still of the night. The lights of the Christmas tree gave the room a soft warm glow. Having five children gave me the chance to experience these magic moments over and over again, for many years. As I rocked and sang to my babies I often thought of Mary, holding her precious Baby Jesus that first Christmas. This verse became special to me the first Christmas I was a mother. Holding my month old baby that Christmas opened the door of my heart and soul to a new kind of love, a mother's love. I found new enlightenment to this verse, "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) The feelings were so special that I wrote this verse on the opening page of my first journal in the spring of 1984.

I am not the only one who pondered the thoughts of Mary. Mark Lowry wrote questions for Mary as part of the Christmas choir presentation in 1984. Buddy Greene wrote the music for the song twelve years later. This is a beautiful song and has been recorded by many artists over the past few years.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your Baby Boy

Has come to make you new;

This Child that you delivered

Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your Baby Boy

Has walked where Angels trod?

When you kiss your Little Baby,

You kiss the Face of God!

Oh, Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,

The dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak

The praises of the lamb!

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your Baby Boy

Is Heaven's Perfect Lamb?

This sleeping Child you're holding

Is the Great I Am!

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14. "We Three Kings"

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." Matthew 2:10-11

My Christmas memories take me farther back today, when I was a young girl with three younger sisters. At Christmas we would wrap towels or small blankets around our heads and put on our own little Christmas pageant for Mom and Dad. With only four little actresses we had to keep changing parts to include not only Mary and Joseph, but also the shepherds and wise men. I remember that we sang, "Away In A Manger" and probably "Silent Night". Then we changed our headdress and walked in the room slowly singing "We Three Kings" to lay our gifts down to the Baby Jesus doll. I now realize that there was probably an entire caravan of Magi from the East. But I still enjoy the song at Christmas. Various sources tell us the words and music were written by John Henry Hopkins in 1857.

We three kings of Orient are;

Bearing gifts we traverse afar,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,

Following yonder star.

Refrain

O star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain

Gold I bring to crown Him again,

King forever, ceasing never,

Over us all to reign.

Refrain

Frankincense to offer have I;

Incense owns a Deity nigh;

Prayer and praising, voices raising,

Worshipping God on high.

Refrain

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume

Breathes a life of gathering gloom;

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Refrain

Glorious now behold Him arise;

King and God and sacrifice;

Alleluia, Alleluia,

Peals through the earth and skies.

Refrain

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15. "Christmas Time Is Here"

I have been talking about Christmas memories of my past and today I go back as far as I can remember. This song brings back so many memories I can listen to it over and over again. And I often do during the Christmas season as my grandchildren push the buttons on my Charlie Brown decorations. The song was written by Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi in 1966. The Charlie Brown Christmas cartoon is my favorite because Linus recites from Luke 2:8-14. That's what Christmas is all about.

"8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Christmas time is here

Happiness and cheer

Fun for all that children call

Their favorite time of the year

Snowflakes in the air

Carols everywhere

Olden times and ancient rhymes

Of love and dreams to share

Sleigh bells in the air

Beauty everywhere

Yuletide by the fireside

And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here

We'll be drawing near

Oh, that we could always see

Such spirit through the year

Oh, that we could always see

Such spirit through the year...

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16. "In The Bleak Midwinter"

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" I Kings 8:27

In King Solomon's prayer as he dedicated the temple, he proclaimed of God, "the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee..." This may have been the inspiration behind this beautiful Christmas poem written by Christina Rosetti sometime before 1872. In the second verse she moves from His meek birth to His majestic reign as we see in Revelation 21:1 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." The last verse speaks to each of us in a personal way as we look into our own hearts and ask, " Yet what I can, I give Him - Give my heart." The song that we sing today has changed over time, but here is the poem by Christina Rosetti.

In the bleak mid-winter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak mid-winter

Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him

Nor earth sustain;

Heaven and earth shall flee away

When He comes to reign:

In the bleak mid-winter

A stable-place sufficed

The Lord God Almighty,

Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels

May have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim

Thronged the air -

But only His mother

In her maiden bliss

Worshipped the Beloved

With a kiss.

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb;

If I were a wise man

I would do my part;

Yet what I can, I give Him -

Give my heart.

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17. "It Came Upon The Midnight Clear"

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:13-14

Today we have another old Christmas song, written by Edmund Sears in 1849. Many of the Christmas songs that are dear to Christians today have been sung for a hundred years or more. The dear saints of old were able to sing praises to God even through the darkness of the day. The third and fourth verses are omitted from many Christmas song books today. I have included them here to give hope to those who face strife in your daily life. This Christmas I pray you can see the Light of the world who can bring peace to a troubled soul.

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth,

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,

From heaven's all-gracious King.

"The world in solemn stillness lay,

To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,

With peaceful wings unfurled,

And still their heavenly music floats

O'er all the weary world;

Above its sad and lowly plains,

They bend on hovering wing,

And ever o'er its Babel sounds

The blessèd angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife

The world has suffered long;

Beneath the angel-strain have rolled

Two thousand years of wrong;

And man, at war with man, hears not

The love-song which they bring;

O hush the noise, ye men of strife,

And hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life's crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow,

Look now! for glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road,

And hear the angels sing!

For lo!, the days are hastening on,

By prophet bards foretold,

When with the ever-circling years

Comes round the age of gold

When peace shall over all the earth

Its ancient splendors fling,

And the whole world give back the song

Which now the angels sing.

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18. "No Room"

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

I looked at my phone to see what time it was... 4:30 am. I had been awake for the last two hours and could not go back to sleep. My mind was busy with Christmas plans, parties, promises, and even personal commitments. There was just no room in my mind for anything more. No room. But, I was wrong. This brought to mind a Christmas song our youth group sang in the mid 70's, "No Room". The message of the song had such an impact in my life I still remember the words today. It was written by James W. Peterson in 1958. The song describes the first Christmas, how there was no room in the inn for the newborn Savior. As you read the words to this song, think of how it also seems to describe the world today. "No Room" in public places for Nativity cre'ches. "No Room" during the day for prayer and Bible reading. "No Room" on our calendars for worship or time for others. "No Room" in our purses for missionaries or even the needy in our own areas. "No Room" in our families for outsiders and sometimes "No Room" in our hearts for the Lord. I thought about these things as I confessed to my Lord, and promised myself that I would make sure there was room, the upper room, of my heart and life for my wonderful Savior.

No room, only a manager of hay

No room, He is a stranger today

No room, here in His world turned away

No room, no room.

No room, here in the hearts of mankind

No room, no cheery welcome could find

No room, surely the world is blind

No room, no room.

Angels, in heaven up yonder

Watch with amazement and wonder

To see the Son of the Highest treated so

No room.

No room, only a manger of hay

No room, He is a stranger today

No room, here in His world turned away

No room, no room, no room.

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19. "Joy To The World"

"13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words." I Thessalonians 4:13-18

I spent the morning baking and making Christmas goodies with my Uncle Larry. He reminds me so much of my Dad. Not just the family resemblance, but also in his meek Christian spirit and his walk with God. When he prays at church and I bow my head and close my eyes I hear my Dad in his voice. I am thankful that I have the assurance of seeing Dad again. I know he is in heaven with the Lord.

"Joy To The World" was written in 1719 by Isaac Watts. Many have said that the song is not a Christmas song, but refers to the second coming of the Lord, as then He will come and reign as King. We still sing it at Christmas and find joy as we celebrate the first coming of our Lord. For those who have friends and loved ones in heaven, we will meet again at the second coming of Christ and then have joy that will never pass away!

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 heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns

Let men their songs employ

While fields and floods

Rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow

Nor thorns infest the ground

He comes to make

His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found

Far as, far as the curse is found

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 and wonders of His love

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20. "Hallelujah Chorus" From The Messiah

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." Revelation 11:15

"Then Sings My Soul" is a book of 150 hymn stories by Robert J. Morgan. (Copyright 2003. Published by Thomas Nelson Inc.) Page 55 tells the story of George Frideric Handel who composed operas in Italy and London. In his 20s he is said to have been the best paid composer on earth, but as he grew older and his music grew outdated, his glory faded. The stress of becoming bankrupt, along with his depression, brought on palsy that crippled some of his fingers. Some had given up on Handel's ability to compose or play music. He received a manuscript from Charles Jennens, a collection of Biblical scriptures about Christ. He was moved by the opening words from Isaiah 40, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God." On August 22, 1741, he closed himself in his home and 23 days later he had composed the music for The Messiah. "Messiah opened in London to enormous crowds on March 23, 1743, with Handel leading from his harpsichord. King George II, who was present that night, surprised everyone by leaping to his feet during the "Hallelujah Chorus." ... From that day audiences everywhere have stood in reverence during the stirring words: "Hallelujah! For He shall reign forever and ever.""

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world

Is become the kingdom of our Lord,

And of His Christ, and of His Christ;

And He shall reign for ever and ever,

For ever and ever, forever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,

And Lord of lords,

And He shall reign,

And He shall reign forever and ever,

King of kings, forever and ever,

And Lord of lords,

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And He shall reign forever and ever,

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

And He shall reign forever and ever,

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

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21. "Away In A Manger"

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

Standing in a check-out line can sometimes be longer than anticipated, especially this time of year. So, as I wait I often glance over the magazine covers that line the lane. Often there is a picture of a starlette and her new "baby bump". In today's world the news media is ready with cameras focused on the birth of anyone they consider news worthy. Pictures of the nursery soon follows with everything color coordinated and waiting in its place for the baby's arrival. Pictures of the new baby will be on the covers as soon as the shots can be taken. Even among our family and friends photos can be taken as soon as the baby is born and shared across the globe through the internet.

With our song today we see a remarkable difference in the humble birth of our Savior. The angels welcomed His birth in praise, and the lowly shepherds went to the stable, but many knew nothing of this newborn King. "Away In A Manger" is a simple song and a favorite of many children. The first two verses were published in 1884, and the authorship is questionable. As babies today are placed right in the center of things, Baby Jesus was placed "Away In A Manger". Miles away from home, in the little town of Bethlehem. Pushed away by the people of that day, to a stable, the Lamb of God, was born among the animals. Born a Jew, among a people pining away midst the Roman empire. Away... some today toss away news of the Savior as they would yesterday's newspaper. Does the Lord have a place in your heart, or will you put away the Baby Jesus with your Christmas ornaments in a box for another year? The Lord came to seek and to save the lost, so please don't turn Him away. Don't turn Him away as the seed that fell by the way side. This Christmas, turn to Him, The Way to everlasting life! "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky

And stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me for ever and love me, I pray

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care

And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there

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22. "O Holy Night"

God has given us the Bible for our instruction. It is to be a light unto our path and give us direction for our future. It is also a lamp unto our feet, daily guidance for our daily walk with God. He gives us instructions on how to live. Nowhere in the Bible does God tell us to be all knowing because He is. There is not a single verse that tells us to have all power, that we could control all situations of life. Neither can we create something from nothing, as God created the heavens and earth. But there is one thing God has commanded us to be because He is. In the Old Testament, in Leviticus 20:26 we read, "And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine." Then again in the New Testament, I Peter 1:15-16. "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." We are called to be holy.

"O Holy Night" was written by Placid Cappeau in the 1800s and composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847. Last year our Christmas play, "John Finds Christmas" was about a family helping a young man find the true meaning of Christmas. The climax of the play came as this song was being sung. At the words, "Fall on your knees" John bowed at the manger, and each member of the cast also fell on their knees to worship the Savior. This year as you celebrate the birth of our Lord, take some time to reflect on His holiness.

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,'

Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here come the wise men from the Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

;And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

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23. "Mary's Boy Child"

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

If I asked 25 people what was the best thing about Christmas, I might get 25 different answers. Many could say something about their family. Being with family, baking Christmas cookies with family, eating a big Christmas dinner with family, and sitting at church with family are just a few possible answers. Some might say something about shopping for the perfect present, while others may reply about getting the perfect present. Some like Christmas songs and others like Christmas pagaents. Some like decorating and start really early in November. Christmas parades are special to others. Christmas means so many things to me. This weekend I have really enjoyed being able to spend time with my family. In 1956 Jester Hairston wrote a Christmas song with a calypso rhythm. The song is bright and cheerful, but the most important thing about the song is that it gets to the most important thing about Christmas in the second line. "Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day. And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day." No matter how many things you like about Christmas, this is the most important thing of all. Because of Christmas, we can have eternal life!

Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.

Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible said,

Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,

And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.

Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

While shepherds watch their flocks by night,

They see a bright new shining star,

They hear a choir sing a song, the music seemed to come from afar.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,

And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.

Oh a moment still worth was a glow, all the bells rang out

There were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted

"let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace".

Now Joseph and his wife, Mary, came to Bethlehem that night,

They found no place to bear her child, not a single room was in sight.

And then they found a little nook in a stable all forlorn,

And in a manger cold and dark, Mary's little boy was born.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,

And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.

Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

Oh a moment still worth was a glow, all the bells rang out

There were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted

"let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace".

Oh my Lord...

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24. "Go Tell It On The Mountain"

"15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." Luke 2:15-20

The youth at our church performed our Christmas play and it was very good. From the opening of Sunday School to the end of the Christmas play we were reminded to tell the Christmas story. It is important for us to tell others about our loving Savior. As I looked for the words to this familiar song I found different variations. The song was published by composer John W Works, III in 1907. The author of the song is unknown but the song was sung as far back as 1865.

While shepherds kept their watching

Over silent flocks at night,

Behold throughout the heavens,

There shone a holy light:

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled

When lo! above the earth

Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Saviour's birth:

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger

Our humble Christ was born

And God send us salvation,

That blessed Christmas morn':

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

When I am a seeker,

I seek both night and day;

I seek the Lord to help me,

And He shows me the way:

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

He made me a watchman

Upon the city wall,

And if I am a Christian,

I am the least of all.

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

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25. "Angels From The Realms Of Glory"

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11

"Angels From The Realms Of Glory" was written by James Montgomery in 1816. The song is a call to worship. The first verse calls for the angels to proclaim Messiah's birth. The next verse calls the shepherds to worship, then sages (or wise ones), followed by sinners to come "with true repentance" and break the chains of sin. The writer then tells how all the nations shall gather and every knee shall bow as found in Isaiah 45:22-23. "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." The last verse implores all creation to come and worship God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I used the refrain between each verse to remind us to, "Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King."

Angels, from the realms of glory,

Wing your flight o'er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation's story,

Now proclaim Messiah's birth: