The Songs Of Christmas

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.