God Speaks Through Familiar Christmas Carols

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How often do we pay attention to the words we sing in those old familiar Christmas carols? I must admit that in “researching” for this post, I had to actually go back and look at the words to a lot of these carols. We all tend to know the first verse, often without even looking at the words, but how often do we really pay attention to what we are singing and how often do we focus on the message of the song? This is how God speaks to us through music. The melody and rhythm may ignite our soul, but the words are what speaks to us.

Growing up, my mother and I sang together often for different church events and occasions. Eventually my sister and my daughters started to sing with us as well. One thing I always remember about this experience with my mother (and I’m sure my sister and daughters would say the same) is that the words mattered. My mother was also a choir director and she used the same philosophy in choosing music for the choir...words mattered. Yes, the music had to be in the correct range and skill level of the singers, but then it was the message that was important. My family always viewed our singing as a ministry or opportunity to lead someone to Christ or bring them closer in their journey, so to us the words mattered more than the melody.

Because it is Christmas, I started thinking about the words to some of those more familiar Christmas carols that are sung in church this time of year and realized that I was not always familiar with the complete messages of those carols. Here is a closer look at the message from some of these well-known carols.

Kari Farnell

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing-- written in 1739 by Charles Wesley, adapted by George Whitefield in 1758. By 1961, our present adaptation was complete. This Christmas Hymn begins, in the first two verses, exclaiming the birth of Jesus, as do most Christmas carols. The third verse makes a striking change and acknowledges that Jesus came from Heaven, gives life to all, and has risen to heal our sins. It proclaims that Jesus puts aside his “Glory” to come to earth. I love the way Charles Wesley originally wrote the ending, “Born—that Man no more may die, Born—to raise the Sons of Earth, Born—to give them Second Birth.” The entire third verse explains Jesus’ reason for coming to Earth.

Kari Farnell

Joy to the World--words by Isaac Watts (1719), traditional music by Lowell Mason (1848). Although Joy to the World is one of the most published (according to Wikipedia) Christmas hymns in North America, if you really look at the words, it really reflects Jesus’ power and future coming more than it does His first coming.  Verse 1 could arguably be about Jesus’ birth. Verse 2 is an ode to Jesus’ reign as King where even nature sings His praises. Verse 3 refers to Jesus’ death on the cross which allows us to live in Heaven where there will be no more sin, sadness, thorns, etc. HE BREAKS THE CURSE of death! Verse 4 is a proclamation of Jesus’ future reign over all of the world; of His righteousness and love.

Good Christian Men, Rejoice--attributed to Heinrich Suso circa 1328; music In dulci jubilo circa 1305.

This is an interesting example of how God can even speak through “suspect” people. Heinrich Suso was considered a German mystic, who claimed to have either had a vision or an actual sighting of angels singing these words. As they sang, he joined them in dancing. However Suso was “inspired” to write the words, they are something God can use to speak to us. Verse 1 exclaims the birth of Jesus even in present tense. He is in the manger now!  Verse 2 gives the reason for Jesus to come to earth. His birth is the catalyst of the opening of Heaven to us. Verse 3 again proclaims that we have no more need to fear [eternal] death because Jesus was born to save us. He calls all of us to be present at His table in Heaven and has provided the means for getting there.

Kari Farnell

The last familiar Christmas carol I’d like to mention is O Come, All Ye Faithful. The text of this hymn is attributed to many different people. It was originally printed by John Francis Wade circa 1750, but originally appeared on a manuscript bearing the name of King John IV of Portugal in the mid-1600s. The music also has been attributed to various people including John Wade and a musician in the court of King John IV. Whoever penned the words to this carol, did so as a reflection of praise of the birth of Jesus. They call all people to come and celebrate and worship the newborn Christ. Verses 1, 3, and 4 issue this proclamation and praise of Jesus, while verse 2 explains who Jesus is; the true God, begotten not created.

Kari Farnell

During this Christmas season, I urge you to pay attention to the words; to allow God to speak to you through the familiar; to find something new among the traditional. As you listen to the traditional songs, decide whether they are telling the story of Jesus, or whether they are asking you to praise Him for who He is.

The next post will take a similar track as this, but using modern Christian Christmas songs. I’m excited to see what God will tell us about those.