Christmas is coming! The time of year when we celebrate the first coming of Jesus! We have so many songs that tell about it, too! But sometimes like other songs we sing, these Christmas carols become practically meaningless. We’ve heard and sung these carols so much that we don’t even think about them.
What helps me think about the lyrics of a song is to read the words without the music. Sometimes I also try listening to a different arrangement than I’m used to hearing. If it was originally written in a different language, I like to look that up as well.
Since last year I have had one line from “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen” that keeps sticking out to me. Go read all the lyrics, and then notice the part that says “in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.”
No, really look at it. The Son of God… by name! The Son of God! By name! Until the announcement that Mary was pregnant, no one knew Jesus’ name!
There are so many other songs to look at! What songs of Jesus’ birth stick out to you? What particular words grab you by the heart and mind?
More on worship music and carols: Songs of Worship, Familiar Carols