Christmas Carols: Joyous Truths and Adoration

This post continues our series Symbols of Christmas, a look at the symbols that point us to the Biblical truths of Christmas. 

The Christmas Eve service is my escape into wonder. Familiar carols and Scripture usher me away from the flurry of festivities and into quiet adoration. “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” my heart joins in worship, “Glory to God in the highest.” Even then, reflective moments are fleeting for this mom of four as my preschooler begs to “help” hold the candle. I send up prayers between verses, “Please God, don’t let us catch the church on fire.”

Hymns for my Harried Heart

In the midst of busy days, hymns and songs of worship are my year-round tool of choice for taking captive my anxious thoughts and focusing my heart on that which is lovely (2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8). I turn to hymns like Come Thou Fount to tune my heart to Biblical truth and to lead me into worship.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Christmas carols do the same, declaring truth and inviting us into wonder and adoration. The distractions of this season are so many and so loud. Of all our Christmas traditions, it is the carols that I reach for when I feel my anxiety rising as life spills over with gift lists and holiday events. In the Advent weeks preceding Christmas, I lean into songs to bring my heart back into focus on our Savior. For the Advent season of anticipation and preparation, my favorite hymn is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Light in the Darkness

As Ali discussed earlier this month, Christmas is the story of light piercing the darkness.

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5)

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” acknowledges the darkness in which we await the light with hope. In contrast to the airy melodies of many Christmas carols, the minor key of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” embodies the weight of its lyrics.

I read a few verses aloud this week and invited my children to hear the elements of both sadness and happiness in each verse.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel. 

Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). Not only with us in eternal glory, He was born into our world and comes to us now, in the midst of our loneliness.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Jesus is the Rod of Jesse, the living shoot from Jesse’s family tree when it was but a stump, no longer with a king on Israel’s throne (Isaiah 11:1). He is victorious over death, triumphantly redeeming his own (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Where all appears lost and dead, Christ brings life. 

Each verse names Jesus as our salvation from darkness and then breaks from its yearning melody into bright exclamation, “Rejoice!” While solemn, the hymn is defined by hope, inviting us to rejoice with expectant hope for the promised Savior.

Redeeming Grace

In a few days, our voices will join across heaven and earth, proclaiming the arrival of the  Light that dispels all darkness, declaring, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let Earth receive her king!” In the candle-lit sanctuary, between hushed negotiations over who holds the candle, the eyes of my heart will fix upon Jesus, “Son of God, love’s pure light.” His birth, indeed, marks the dawn of redeeming grace. Redeeming grace — that is the story of Christmas.

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from Thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!

What Christmas carol are you most drawn to right now?

Which carol speaks needed truth to you?

Play or sing a carol as you fix your eyes on Jesus today. Here’s a list to get you started.