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It is Christmas Day, and since Christ to redeem all of humanity, I thought it fitting to have the hymn Ye Nations All, On You I Call. Unlike many of our previous hymns, this song was written in America in the early nineteenth century. This reflects early American belief that we, as a nation, were to bring the light of the Gospel to the world. It is believed to have been written by William Walker of New Haven in 1835. As we gather to celebrate Christ’s birth, I hope you take a

Christmas Eve holds many precious memories for me. One of them being Christmas Eve service at the churches my father pastored, always unique due to the congregation participating in the service to honor Christ. On Christmas Night All Christians Sing  is also known as The Sussex Carol, written in the 17 th  century by an Irish Catholic bishop and poet, Luke Wadding. It details the reasons we must rejoice because Christ has come to redeem us and set us free. In Him alone is tru

O Holy Night is another personal favorite of mine. Interestingly, it was written as a poem Minuit   Chrétiens (Midnight Christians)  in 1847, by a French wine merchant, Placide Cappeau, who was also an atheist. It was set to music by a Jewish composer, Adolphe Adam in the same year. It was controversial when it first came out due to its strong abolitionist stance. Over the years, it has proven to be a source of hope to those on the battlefield. With an emphasis on hope, holin

O Come All Ye Faithful is one of my all-time favorite Christmas carols, and one enjoyed throughout the world. Adeste Fideles,  in Latin, is attributed to numerous people, but it first appeared between 1740 and 1743. What is unique about this carol is that it is reminiscent of the Christian statement of faith regarding the incarnation, which declares Jesus is God, light of light, begotten, yet not created; a doctrine Christians hold today. He is the Word made flesh. This carol

Sing We Now of Christmas is the English version of the French Christmas carol Noel Nouvelet, believed to go back as far as the 15 th  century. However, rarely are all thirteen verses of the carol sung, though they provide a detailed retelling of the nativity story. Traditionally, this song is sung during Epiphany, which begins on Christmas Day and continues for the next twelve days, hence it is often considered a New Year’s carol. One should note that verses 10 and 11 are tho

The Cuckoo Carol is an old Czech traditional carol sung by children, much as our children sing Away in a Manger. This carol recounts the joy of a cuckoo, a pigeon, and a dove’s delight at finding Christ in various locals in Israel. It is a fun little song that reminds us that Christ is Lord and Creator of all. As Colossians 1:16 reminds us, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or prin

O Sleep, Thou Heaven-Born Treasure, Thou  is a 19 th- century Bavarian hymn translated by Charles Macpherson. It is a cradle lullaby to the Christ-Child, encouraging Him to sleep peacefully now as a child, because He will need His rest to bring redemption. It is written from the perspective of shepherds who are watching the nativity unfold before them, noting how Mary and Joseph lovingly care for Christ, the newborn King. It is a gentle reminder that the Babe born in the mang

One of the reasons the Advent season is so special for Christians is that God has come down to earth to redeem humanity. Christ’s divinity and sacrifice ensured our salvation. See, Amid the Winter’s Snow is an English Christmas carol written by Edward Caswall and first published in 1858. John Goss would later add music to the verses.   The carol’s message is the love of God that compels Him to act on behalf of a world that is not what He created it to be. The prayer of the ly

What would a nativity scene be without the shepherds? It is only right then that the Good Shepherd would be greeted by shepherds at His birth. The hymn Shepherds Sang Their Praises O’er Him , is believed to have first been sung in the fourteenth century in Latin under the title, Quem Pastores Laudavere. This is one of my favorite discoveries, emphasizing Christ’s Kingship and presenting Him as “Judah’s conquering Lion,” first mentioned in Genesis 49:9, in Israel’s blessing to

The Darkest Midnight in December, is a hauntingly beautiful Irish carol, sung throughout the 18 th  and 19 th  centuries, evokes both joy and innocence. Thought to originally be sung at Midnight Mass, it speaks of one who refuses to allow the weather to prevent them from worshiping Christ on the day His birth. The song speaks to the infinitely pure love of God that comes in the form of a babe to bring salvation to humanity. Though the lyrics differ in order and some have been

Reminiscent of a cold, snowy night outside a medieval cathedral, the origins of This is the Truth Sent from Above are unknown. Because it was performed in the early 20 th  century in Herefordshire, it is also known as The Herefordshire Carol. Rather than addressing uniquely Christmas themes, this song, in its entirety, is the Gospel message. Unfortunately, all the verses are rarely sung. However, this enchanting hymn speaks of everything from original sin to the need of savin

The Holly and the Ivy  is a song that dates to medieval England, which speaks to the rivalry between the holly and the ivy for domination of the forest. The holly is portrayed as the clear winner because it resembles a crown, symbolizing the deity of Christ. The berry is representative of the blood of Christ shed for us sinners, and the thorn and bark, which are sharp and bitter, represent His sacrifice. This beloved Christmas carol has lasted because of its beauty and the in

In Dulci Jubilo is the precursor to today’s more modern Good Christian Men, Rejoice! Believed to have been written in the thirteenth century, it conveys rich theological truth. This medieval carol of Germanic-Latin origin, and its lyrics were set to music several times by Bach. Today, we sing it in English in a more up-tempo fashion than previously written, however, the truths it declares are as important today as they were in the thirteenth century. This song declares Jesus

Written by Valentin Thilo in the seventeenth century, O Little One Sweet! O Little One Mild! was set to music by Samuel Scheidt in 1650, becoming a beloved German Christmas carol. Various renditions of the song would be written over the course of the years and would only be translated to the English in the twentieth century.   The hymn reflects on Jesus’ sacrifice which turned the Father’s anger away from us. Its prayerful lyrics request Christ keep us in His hands, free of s

As with many carols and hymns throughout the ages, this song has been shortened while remaining true to its theological truths. Such is the case with the hymn A Boy is Born in Bethlehem . Originally, this song was a Latin folk-hymn in Bohemia that developed into a chant by the fourteenth century. It was later popularized in Germany under the title Ein Kind Geborn Zu Bethlehem, enduring throughout the Reformation, taking on slight differences and modifications.   Below are the

Advent is the arrival of a “notable person,” which in Christendom is an understatement for the arrival of Christ on earth. Interestingly, many of the early hymnals celebrating Advent call on humanity to remember from whence they came, and to appreciate, revere, and glorify the gift of God in Christ all the more. Such is the case with the hymn, O Remember Adam’s Fall.   This hymn was written by Thomas Ravenscroft (1592-1635), who was a chorister of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Lond

The rich theological tradition of Christmas carols continues with Come, Love We God!  This hymn was written in the sixteenth century, though little more is known about its origins. It is believed to have been written by Richard Shanne, a priest in Methley, in 1611.   What makes this song unique is that it tells the story of the wisemen’s encounter with King Herod from Matthew 2:1-12. It is a strange topic for a Christmas carol, given that Herod murdered the infants of Bethleh

What would Christmas be without angels? They were present at the Annunciation to Mary and to Zacharias in the temple, and then heralded the birth of Christ to the shepherds. Many of our beloved Christmas carols echo their message, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14 NASB95).   On This Day, Earth Shall Ring was originally written in Latin. A touching picture of Christ’s birth, it provides a short retelling of Christ’s advent, comp

This is my favorite time of year, and I love Christmas hymns and carols. Unlike today, most of the older hymns were used to disciple people in the Christian faith. So, this year, in my countdown to Christmas, we will be looking at several Christmas hymns that address the truth of Christmas – the truth about God. Along with a brief note, there will be the words for your meditation, as well as a link to the song so you may enjoy the beauty of these lyrics.   During the fourth c

I cannot express my sadness at the shift we observed when President Trump chose to light the diya for Diwali. As a Christian, I affirm that the only Way, Truth, and Light is the person of Jesus Christ, who said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NASB95).   Diwali, which is a Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil, celebrates the return of lord rama (lower case intended), another name for vishnu, by the lighting of the diya. Paul warns