One of the absolute joys of Christmas, even when I’m being Scroogey, is the music. Christmas carols are so rich in the truths they convey that they can lead us to think deeply of Gods presence and love. To fully get a picture of the carol writer’s understanding it helps if we sing more than one verse at a time.
Most of the songs that we sing now originated from the 18th century onward. In the grand scheme of things they’re not really that old. So I did a little research and found one of the older hymns that has been sung in Christmas celebrations since the 5th century. The text is taken from HymnaryClick here
Representative Text
1 Of the Father’s love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the Source, the Ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
2 O that birth forever blessed,
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race;
and the babe, the world’s Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!
3 This is he whom heav’n-taught singers
sang of old with one accord,
whom the Scriptures of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
now he shines, the long expected;
let creation praise its Lord,
evermore and evermore!
4 O ye heights of heav’n, adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing:
all dominions, bow before him
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
ev’ry voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
5 Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unwearied praises be,
honor, glory, and dominion
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!
Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #268
Enjoy the truth of the humility and presence of God through the beautiful carols we sing.