Christmas Day is just 9 days away, and we can hear people call out “Merry Christmas!” and “Happy Holidays!” all around us. Apart from the cheer the season brings, and the lights and décor that adorn our surroundings, Christmas carols are a staple each December. Chances are, your local assembly has held or will soon hold a Carol service (Carol Night, 9 Lessons and Carols). Let’s take a look at 10 popular Christmas carols, and the messages they hold.
1. Jingle Bells
This is, perhaps, the most popular Christmas song in the world. It is an extremely recognizable and upbeat tune loaded with references to snow, sleighs, laughter and the general joy and merriment that accompany the Christmas holiday. Jesus is conspicuously absent. “Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh! Dashing through the snow…”
2. Deck the Halls
“Deck the halls with bough of holly, fa la la la la la la la la! Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la la la!” This is a jolly carol about Yuletide decorations, beautiful clothes, and the fact that a new year is just around the corner. Yule was the pagan winter tradition people practiced before Christianity and Christmas and this carol has its origins there, so it’s all about the season. Not a word about the Saviour.
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
This carol celebrates the joys of Christmas as a holiday where “faithful friends who are dear to us, they gather near to us once more” and we “hang a shining star upon the highest bow” but it doesn’t pretend to worship Jehovah or His Christ. In fact, it is not God and His Son who determine the course of our lives, according to this carol. It’s all up to The Fates, the 3 goddesses who control people’s lives in mythology.
4. White Christmas
Although not one carolers in the tropics can relate to, this is yet another beautifully written song about the season, and the memories it holds for many. Just like Jingle Bells (which is actually referenced in this song), this carol is chock full of what Christmas means to many; snow, sleigh bells, Christmas trees and decorations, and of course Christmas cards. Jesus? Jesus who?
5. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Another popular and much-loved carol, this one is all about
Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas in Britain and the former British colonies. For many children, Santa is who Christmas is all about, and this carol reminds them of the need to be well-behaved, not out of love for Jesus, but so that they can remain in Santa’s good books. “He’s making a list, and checking it twice; gonna find out who’s naughty and nice, Santa Claus is coming to town!”
However, for those whose focus is the Messiah, and who celebrate His birth this season, carols abound to enhance heartfelt worship and adoration, including these 5 favourites:
1. Oh Come, Let Us Adore Him
Enjoining worshippers whose victory and joy is in Christ to draw near and worship Him, this carol draws attention to Jesus and His divinity in a simple yet powerful way. “Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! Oh come, let us adore Him…”
2. Angels From The Realms of Glory
“Come, come and worship, come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King!” This carol doesn’t just call men to worship, it beckons angels as well. It also relives the events surrounding Jesus’ birth- shepherds watching their flock and suddenly visited by angels, wise men observing stars and being astonished by The Star- and ends with a reminder that Jesus is more than a newborn babe in a manger; He will be back again, and will reign as King, much to the joy of those who wait for Him.
3. Joy to the World
This is a hearty, joyful carol that focuses on the love, joy, blessings and freedom that Christ’s birth brings. It urges all of humanity to make room in their hearts for the King, and extends the call to all of creation, in exuberant harmony. “Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns! Let men their songs employ! While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy…”
4. Angels We Have Heard on High
Don’t we just love to stretch the “Os” in “Gloooooooooooooria, in excelsis Deo!” Beyond being fun to sing, the message of this carol is simply all about Jesus; picture in your mind’s eye the newborn King of whom angels have sung, mountains replying to their song with sweet music, and give praise to God for this wonderful Gift. Glory to God in the highest!
5. Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
This carol makes some sigh, and makes others cry. Every single line is precious. Jesus Christ, the very expression of God, came to live with us humans and reconcile us to God. Because He came, we will live forever. What can we say? “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. 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. Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.”
We bow down.
About the author: Joy Ehonwa is a writer, editor and online proofreader who is passionate about relationships and personal development. She runs Pinpoint Creatives, a copy-editing, ghostwriting and transcription business, and blogs at
www.anafricandiva.wordpress.com and
www.girlaware.wordpress.com
