Traditional carols sung for centuries are not only beautiful music, but rich in theology as they tell the story of Christmas. Let’s enjoy the story as this Christmas draws near.

Prophets Foretell the Savior’s Birth

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” emerges from the prophets of the Old Testament who, by faith, saw the advent of their Messiah. Its mournful tune communicates the longing of God’s nation, who endured years of exile before returning to their land and rebuilding.  

Indeed, Jesus came to “ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appears.” As the carol bids us, “Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.” And He did come and read from Isaiah 61. Sadly, the people in Nazareth where He grew up were offended and wanted to kill Him.

And who has not felt the emotions expressed by the author of this carol? “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.” Jesus fulfilled this over two thousand years ago.

The Light of the World Has Come

Every nativity scene enjoyed by our families pictures the story told in the words of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” On my recent visit to Israel with a group from our church, our tour guide said the city is dangerous now. It’s occupied by radical groups, and we were unable to visit there.

Join me in pondering the picture painted by the following words: “O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting Light—the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

The light has, indeed, come to His own. It shines in the darkness every day, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:9-10 ESV).

Centuries after the events themselves, God kept the story alive. An Austrian priest asked his friend Franz Gruber to set his poem to music for a Christmas Eve service. “Silent night, Holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild—Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace” was first performed in 1818 in Salzburg and translated into English in 1863. The story told in Silent Night is now available in three hundred languages.

Announcement by Angels 

“And in the same region there were shepherds … keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8 ESV) sets the stage for the next event in the Christmas story. Can’t you hear the rousing orchestra and choir as they proclaim the great good news? 

“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 angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

Therefore, our response of adoration, worship, and praise should resound in every season, but most especially at Christmas.

“O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant; Come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born the King of angels. O come let us adore Him. O come let us adore Him. O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”

On our visit to the Western (Wailing) Wall in November, I observed Jewish women fervently praying to their God. One can only wonder at the joy they miss until their eyes are opened to meet the Savior and receive God’s promised answer to all their needs.

Joy to the World

“Joy to the World” might be my favorite carol, although it’s hard to pick one. Its verses voice prayers for fulfillment with every passing year.  

“Joy to the World! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature 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.

“He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of His love!”

Respond with me to God’s glorious gift to the world.

Father, thank You for the incarnation of Jesus, the Son of God, who stepped down from glory to become a baby born in the humblest place. I love You, Jesus, and worship You, as I wait in joy for the great day of Your Return. In Jesus’s name, I pray, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: The Story of Christmas: Caroline Power: All Rights Reserved.