Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
-“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
I think we all agree that we are relieved to NOT hear “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or “All I want for Christmas is You” one more time on the radio this year. Now that Christmas is over, I won’t miss the loop of Christmas favorites played over and over in my car.
This doesn’t hold true for me with some of the oldest and most treasured Christmas carols that are not played nearly as much as the pop-Christmas tunes. These old hymns aren’t snappy tunes but songs that speak deep to my heart as I dwell on the reason our precious Baby King was born. Each year I’m more in awe of the plan He had to save the world through such an unlikely situation. When I sing some of these songs, I’m often in tears.
Sin is a weighty issue and one that doesn’t conjure up warm feelings of Christmas cheer. But as we embrace that a Savior to come into the world to save us, this provides the deepest joy we can ever know. Our salvation is cause for true Christmas cheer.
These lyrics capture this hope and I can sing these words all year long without ever growing weary.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel.
– “O Little town of Bethlehem”
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
– “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
-“Joy to the World”
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
-“O Come all Ye Faithful”
May these words dwell in our hearts all through the next year as we find everlasting hope in Jesus.
~Courtney
