EDMOND — Many well-known Christmas songs tell of the season’s joy, the holiday trimmings and trappings, but they do not mention the reason for the season.

Alan Day, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Edmond, said individuals can turn Christmas into “Xmas,” say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” and decorate “Holiday Trees” instead of Christmas trees, but those efforts are futile.

“Spoken or un-spoken, we cannot get away from the influence of Jesus Christ. We try, but unsuccessfully,” Day said.

Jesus is the source for humanity’s existence, the meaning and purpose for human lives and the goal of all creation, Day said. Individuals sing the hymns and carols because lyricists have taken their inspiration from his birth and his life, he said.

Don Heath, pastor at the Trinity Christian Church of Edmond, said Luke’s Christmas story captured the imagination of future Christians. It is the scripture that is the climax of most Christmas Eve services.

Matthew 1:25 describes Jesus’ birth in less than half a verse, almost in passing, Heath said. In contrast, Luke’s version is poetic and dramatic, he said. It tells of angels in the night sky, shepherds in their fields and mother and child in the manger. It describes God as coming to earth in the form of a newborn baby, born of a peasant girl.

Luke’s story has inspired a diverse mix of hymns over the centuries.

Three of the most-loved hymns from the 18th century focus on the theme of joy, Heath said. Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley, arguably the two most popular Protestant hymn writers of all time, penned “Joy to the World” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” respectively.

“They are hymns of praise to God,” Heath said.

John Francis Wade, a more obscure English lyricist from the 18th century, wrote “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” In this carol, others are encouraged to join the angels in rejoicing at Jesus’ birth.

“Good, Christian Friends, Rejoice” is a German hymn from the 14th century. Heath said the joy it celebrates is that Christ brings eternal life: “Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!”

Heath said “O Little Town of Bethlehem” reflects a different theology. It was written by Episcopal priest Phillips Brooks following a trip to the Holy Land shortly after the Civil War. The priest finds the peace for which he longs in an everlasting light that shines on Bethlehem’s dark streets, Heath said.

“God comes quietly to a little, nondescript town,” Heath said.

“Away in a Manger” is an anonymous American carol written in the 19th century. It celebrates the idyllic pastoral setting: “the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay” and “the cattle are lowing the poor Baby wakes.”

“Silent Night, Holy Night,” a 19th century Austrian hymn, is sung at the conclusion of many candlelight services. It speaks of images of light, peace and grace, Heath said. Grace is the unmerited favor of God toward sinners.

And “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” is an African-American spiritual from the early 20th century, which tells the good news that “God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.”

Day said Christians celebrate Christ’s birth because the ancient world, having tried religion, philosophy and military conquest, was out of hope and out of answers 2,000 years ago.

“His birth was announced by a star that guided Magi from the East,” Day said. “His life and teachings are now the guiding light for millions, and his death and resurrection are the source of their abundant hope.”

On that first Christmas, God came down to earth because we could not get to where he is, Day said. God became like humanity so humanity could become like him, he said.

Because of Christmas, death is not the end, but a homecoming for those who trust Christ to save them, Day said.

“That is our hope,” he said. “That is why we sing. That is why we send Christmas cards.”

Source: The Edmond Sun

Mark’s Contact Information: marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 102

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