10 Christmas Carols that Tell the Real Story of Christmas
Mel Johnson
GodUpdates Contributor
December 18, 2017
As believers, we know the real reason for the season is Jesus. And these 10 Christmas carols do a great job of telling the true story of Christmas!
The first few notes of “O Holy Night,” and the Peanuts singing, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” stir the true spirit of Christmas in our souls. We feel this way because many of the Christmas Carols that have become part of the tapestry of our every December, are woven from the very One who was, is, and always will be. We sing songs that have been passed down and formed from the way God’s Word moved someone’s heart to put a tune to it.
In a world full of commercialism, especially around Christmastime, we need Hebrews 4:12. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Though we might not all be the best at memorizing Scripture, human nature often lends the success of our memory to song. As children, we learn our ABC’s by singing them!
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The gospel of John reminds us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” Jesus is the Word, and the reason for the Christmas season.
Christmas Carols 1. The First Noel
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“Noel” derives from the Latin verb “nasci,” to be born, and eventually trickled down into the French reference to the Christmas holiday. Defined, it literally means, “a Christmas carol” (Merriam Webster). The very world “Noel” is synonymous with Christmas.
It’s quite possible that the tune of this song has been played since the 1200s. Davies Gilbert added the lyrics in the 1800s, and it was published in 1823. The song retells the story from Luke 2 of the angels telling the shepherds in the field of the Savior being born, and the wise men following that same star to bring Him gifts.
Embracing Noel sends us traveling back to an ancient era, where our timeless Savior was born. The word used to describe the day of His birth became an anthem in celebration of the day of His birth. Though the angels sang in celebration of His birth first, we get to share in that joy of His coming by singing along today.
Christmas Carols 2. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
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Historically an Advent song, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” exudes the angst of a people waiting for their Savior. With references to the Rod of Jesse and the Key of David, it envelopes the Old Testament prophecies of Jesus Christ, which brings the New Testament into an even brighter light.
The first verse of the song speaks of the Son of God appearing. When we sing this classic Christmas carol, we are lauding the Lord over stanzas of Scripture that took over 800 years to be fulfilled. Isaiah spoke of the Messiah’s birth around 740-680 BC: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Centuries later, Matthew recorded these words: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”; Matthew 1:23).
Christmas Carols 3. Joy to the World
Credit: Pexels
Isaac Watts penned the lyrics to “Joy to the World,” but God Himself ordained the Scripture that is referenced throughout its stanzas. Psalm 98, Psalm 96:11-12 and Genesis 3:17-18 are all embraced in the beautiful truth of what Christmas is really about. Since 1719, we’ve had a melody to weave around the embrace of these promises. They are timeless and without boundary.
“And so, let the heavens resound in gladness! Let joy be the earth’s rhythm as the sea and all its creatures roar. Let the fields grow in triumph, a grand jubilee for all that live there. Let all the trees of the forest dig in and reach high with songs of joy before the Eternal” (Psalm 96:11-12).
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“Joy to the World” is a repetition of God’s promises; ones that we need to repeat to ourselves far beyond the Christmas season. The very definition of the word, “joy,” is “a source or cause of delight” (Merriam-Webster). “He reigns with truth and grace.” He is righteous, He has come, and sits at the right hand of the Father with authority.
“Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Savior
Was born upon this Day.”
In the push of commercialism, we forget how happy we are supposed to be. Jesus has come, “To save poor souls from Satan’s power…” as John 3:16 assures us: “For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life.”
“But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The dear Christ enters in.”
Well into the song, we are reminded of the importance of the fulfilled prophesy of Christ’s birth. Beyond the tiny village of Bethlehem, long after He rose to be seated by His Father, souls would (and will) continue to find freedom in what began in that small situation.
"Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn”
“Go Tell it on the Mountain” is sung by everyone from cute little youngsters to full-blown adult choirs. Its powerful nature lies in the story it tells; a King coming down from heaven, humbled by human flesh for our salvation. Written by John Wesley Work Jr. in 1865, here is yet another centuries-old song that has continued to gain popularity and power over time.
The gospel of Luke mentions Zechariah’s burst into praise when his speech is restored. With his previous lack of faith now overflowing with proof, he could not keep from shouting praise to God for who He was. Some call the text of Scripture referenced in this song, “Zechariah’s Song.” The power of Christ’s birth on earth is soul bending. When we allow our minds to sink into the scene beyond the story, we, too, will feel like shouting our praises for Him.
“I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.”
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On the flip side of the stars, He sits at the right hand of the Father. Born of humble nature and exalted as King of Kings, this carol truly tells the story of Jesus’ birth. Unpredictable as His circumstances might have appeared, it came to pass exactly like God said it would. The night that Jesus cried out from the manger, heaven sang praise of the One who would set humanity free from the shackles of sin by His sacrifice.
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Meet Him with the weight of your world, meet Him with the problems of your day, meet Him with the guilt you feel, meet Him with the dreams of your heart, meet Him with cries for your family. Meet Him, and He will meet you.
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