The Songs of Christmas
Introduction
Christmas and music are synonymous. We can never think of this time of year without recalling Christian music.
What is the music of Christmas? To many children raised under the "political correctness" of today’s public school system, the music of Christmas is different that the Christmas music of our youth. Go to you child’s school Christmas program and here is probably what you will hear: JINGLE BELLS, DECK THE HALLS, RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, ECT.
My wife asked her SS class of elementary age children to name some Christmas carols. Not one was about Jesus. All of them were secular. In fact they did not even know the words to songs like AWAY IN A MANGER or JOY TO THE WORLD.
What are the "Songs of Christmas." Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. It is about Joseph and Mary. It is about the shepherds and the wise men. It is about the story of Christ’s birth as told in Matthew and Luke. It is about Bethlehem, a stable, and a manger. It is about Jesus coming down to this earth and taking on the form of a man. Much of what we believe about Jesus is wrapped up in the "Songs of Christmas."
This morning I want us to look at some of the more familiar and well-known Christmas carols and the scriptures they are based upon.
I. "JOY TO THE WORLD" #87 in your hymnal
In 1719 Isaac Watts wrote a hymn that came to be entitled, "Joy to the World." It is one of our most beloved Christmas carols because it really captures the essence of Christmas, which is joy.
Watts was right when he titled his carol "Joy to the World",
For Christmas is not just joy to America--it is not a national joy.
It is not joy to the Caucasian--it is not a racial joy.
It is not joy to the West--it is not a cultural joy.
It is not joy to the rich--it is not financial joy.
It is not joy to the educated--it is not intellectual joy.
It is not joy to the happy--it is not emotional joy.
It is not joy to the healthy--it is not physical joy.
It is joy to the world. It is universal joy.
Isa 9:6
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
"For unto us a child is born" - Read verse 1
"unto us a son is given" - Read vs. 2,3
"and the government shall be upon his shoulder" - Read verse 4
II. "O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM" # 86 in your hymnal
Mic 5:2
2 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.
Luke 2:1-7
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 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:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 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.
Read verses 1-4 and elaborate
III. "EMMANUEL" #82 in your hymnal
Isa 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
IV. "O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL" #89 in your hymnal
Matt 2:1-11
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 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.
What is this hymn all about? WORSHIP
Read verses 1-3 without reading chorus - then read chorus. "O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord"
V. "AWAY IN A MANGER" # 103 in your hymnal
Luke 2:6,7
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 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.
Read verse 1 "no crib for a bed" because there was "no room for Jesus"
This song was inspired by a single verse in the Bible, which tells us Jesus was "laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn". From the time he was born until he died, this world had no room for Jesus.
He was born in a borrowed stable, laid in a borrowed manger, lived in borrowed homes, died and was buried in a borrowed tomb, and wrapped in borrowed clothes.
The world hasn’t changed much in 2000 years. In the hearts and lives of millions today there is "no room for Jesus". Oh, there might be room for a little baby in a manger scene but there is no room for the Jesus that came to die for their sins. Is there room for Jesus in your life. Have you accepted him as your savior or is there "no room for Jesus" in your life?
VI. "GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN" #95 in your hymnal
Luke 2:8-18
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.
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.
Close by reading chorus.
This Christmas be like the shepherds and "SHARE JESUS WITHOUT FEAR"
