Theology of Christmas Carols

  Theology of Christmas Carols

As we approach the Christmas season, it seems fitting to finish our year on some Christmas carols and interestingly enough, they just dovetail into Colossians 1. We will touch verses 21-23 and find that they point to the Christmas message. (This is not too surprising as we look at the Supremacy of Christ and this is the beginning of the story.)

As I began to prepare for this lesson, I discovered a seven-fold outline of Christ’s supremacy in the first chapter.  Paul points to seven (nice number) reasons for seeing the Supremacy of Christ. First, in v. 15 we find that He is the very image of God. We discussed this in detail earlier. Point two, He is the first-born over creation. Note that He is not the first-born IN creation, but over it. This is because, third, He is the Creator. V. 16, 17. He cannot be part of something that He created. He cannot create Himself, but has to be outside it in order to have made it. (Contrary to some secular ideas, gravity cannot account for the origin of the universe. The “law of gravity” is part of the universe, and as such could not precede it. Logic.)

Fourth, v. 18, Christ is the head of the body, the Church. The first three points  focused on natural existence. Now we turn to what is in the creation, and God’s intent was to produce a body of people who would be blessed with the opportunity to know and praise Him. (Note that this is not ego-centric on the Lord’s part. It is focused on man being able to join the fellowship, the communion of the Trinity.) God didn’t need us. We, as His creation, need Him. And the Church is the body that will spend all of eternity with Him, praising and glorifying Him–to our everlasting benefit.

Point five, He is the beginning and the first-born from the dead. V. 18 Adam was the first-born of the natural creation and the result was disaster, death, for everyone who followed him. Jesus became the first man to rise from the dead, forever. In doing so, He led the way for all who believe in Him to join Him in eternal life. He created the first world, and He will  begin the second one, the one that will never fade away. Needs an “Amen!” there.

Point six looks back to point one. Verse 19 declares that the fullness of God resides in Him. Again, He is God, so all of God’s attributes must be found in Him.  And seven, v. 20 He is the One who reconciled all of mankind to God. We will explore the wonder and magnificence of that as we go on. Wow, what a story! Now let’s tie that into the Incarnation, Christmas.

I. Paul’s Readers v. 21-23

And although you were previously alienated and hostile in attitude, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His body of flesh through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. 

Why we needed an incarnation, God coming to earth. The description above us us.

I. A. Our condition v. 21

Paul begins with a “before and after” statement. We were alienated, hostile, and evil doers. He said we are engaged in evil deeds and that comes from our first two characteristics. We were alienated, or cut off from God. Ephesians is a mirror of Colossians as Jude and 3 John are of each other. Ephesians 2:12 reminds us to..remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, ...having no hope and without God in the world. 

And we recall that Genesis 3 explains how we cut ourselves off from God. He said, “Do not...” and we did. Mankind continued to ignore God’s commands in the Ten Commandments. So we were separated from God, His people, and the promise.

But that is not all. Paul continued in Ephesians 4:19. 

    We were alienated and hostile in mind...being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart.

Paul in Romans 5:6, 8, 10 describes our condition as helpless, sinners, and “enemies of God.” We were alienated, hostile, and... (Ephesisans 4:19) 

and they, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecent behavior for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 

Paul’s term was “evil doers.” They, and we, were engaged in evil deeds. That was “before.” The rest is glorious, and leads us into the Christmas meditation. Now, back to our passage. V. 22 “yet He has now reconciled you in His body of flesh through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.”

Don’t you just love the “yet?” (It is like, “But God...” in other passages.) Despite our self inflicted alienation, and its resultant hostile mind, which led to evil deeds, He has reconciled us. And what does that entail? When we are reconciled to Him, we are made “holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” I will take that triplet for what we had any day. Not alienated, not hostile, and not doing evil. Holy compares to the disgusting mess that we were. Blameless means that we are no longer enemies. And being beyond reproach is a better lifestyle than constant criminality–or infested with sin.

II. Carols

So how do Christmas carols relate to this Scipture? We needed a “Christmas” a time that God came to live with men. Let’s take a couple and follow the magnificent theology.

II. A. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Charles Wesley wrote this. I have heard some criticize this as inaccurate because the “angels ‘said,’ not sing.” My response is to, “take that up with Charles when you see him in heaven.” Hark, listen,

The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

There is our first description. Only we are reconciled. Go on.

Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Again, here is a “birth.” That has to be a baby, a person. (Contrary to abortionists.) And it is a real man. Did Jesus have to be a man? Keep singing. Refrain:

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

V. 2 Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Yes, he had to be a man. He is a real man, born of a flesh and blood woman. He is God. Sing on.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’ incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.

And again watch the words. Don’t you pity Jehovah’s Witnesses? They can’t sing this. He is not “pleased with us IN SPIRIT to dwell.” He was a real man and really God. He lived IN FLESH, a real man. And Wesley looked on to the future. I adjusted the words in the brackets.

Hail the [heaven-born] Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.

He is coming back. But before we get there, reinforce the message. He is the True God, but...

Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King.” How much of our Scripture do you see in there? It is a lot. Let’s sing another verse. This is much less known.

Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home; Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head.

Now display Thy saving pow’r, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thine image in its place: Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love. Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man: Oh, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

II. B. Joy to the World

This one is actually a carol that we will sing in the Millennium. So let’s be prophets.

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.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

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

If only that were true now. But it will be. Glory! Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

III. What Child it This

What Child is this who, laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, The cross be borne for me, for you. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

We look ahead, even up to two years later. (The Wise Men were not at the manger.)

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come peasant, king to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Raise, raise a song on high, The Virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

IV. Christmas Bells

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - 1807-1882 wrote this during the Civil War. Let that background color your understanding.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day. A voice, a chime,    a chant sublime of peace on earth, good-will to men!

(And now the War, not such a pleasant thought.) Then from each black, accursed mouth, the cannon thundered in the South, and with the sound the carols drowned, of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent the hearth-stones of a continent, and made forlorn the households born of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong,  and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Don’t give up hope. Sing on.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men."

Glory glory hallelujah. We need to sing a little Handel here. Or even Julia Ward Howe.

V. Oh Holy Night

This is a bonus. There is not a lot of theology here, but the story is very interesting. I will let you read it at the end of the lyrics. This author may not have been saved. But he read Luke’s story.

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Savior's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining 'Til He appears and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born. O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming Here come the Wise Men from Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger. In all our trials born to be our friend He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King; before Him lowly bend. Behold your King; before Him lowly bend

Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is Peace Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother. And in His name, all oppression shall cease.  Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we Let all within us Praise His Holy name. Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever! His power and glory evermore proclaim. His power and glory evermore proclaim.

(One evident point is that it leaves out any thought of the cross and redemption. It may be implied.)

O Holy Night - A History of the Carol

The author of O Holy Night lyrics is Placide Cappeau. Cappeau was a commissionaire of wines, and a part-time poet. Cappeau lived in a small village, Roquemaure near Avignon, France during the nineteenth century (1808-1877). History tells us that Cappeau rarely attended mass and that he was better known for his poetry and this may have been the driving force behind the local parish priest asking him to write a Christmas Poem. In December of 1847 Cappeau obliged and on a trip to Paris was inspired to write a poem. That poem was entitled, Cantique de Noël. 

When Cappeau arrived in Paris he knew that this poem needed someone better than him to compose the music. Through some close friends in Paris he was able to take his new poem to the famous composer Adolphe Adam. Adam accepted the work and was able to compose music for the poem. Within a few days the music was complete and allowed Cappeau to return to Roquemaure and present it to the priest who had requested it. Cantique de Noël was first played during Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve 1847.

At first, Cantique de Noël was accepted and incorporated into Christmas services around France. Then the song was omitted from those services and attacked by the French Catholic Church. The song wasn't rejected for its content but it was rejected because of the views and other writings of its author and the false allegation that it's composer was Jewish. Cappeau in his later years had gained a reputation as being a social radical, a socialist and an atheist. Cappeau had become outspoken against opposition to inequality, slavery and social injustice. He also became anti-clerical and French Bishops sought to distance themselves from Cappeau. The composer Adam'hristmas was also mis-identified by the French Catholics as a Jew. By accounts of his funeral notice he was Catholic and his home Parish was Notre-Dame-de-Lorette.

The English Translation to the Christmas Carol; O Holy Night ("Cantique de Noël")

In 1855 John Dwight, a Unitarian Minister created a vocal version and English translation to Cappeau's lyrics. The result is O Holy Night as we know it today. The song was first published in English in Dwight's, Journal of Music. The song was quickly adopted by the American public and became part of the American Christmas tradition.

The First Christmas Song Ever Played Live on the Radio

O Holy Night is also famous for being the first Christmas song ever played live over the radio. In 1906 Reginald Fessenden ( a former employee and lab technician for Thomas Edison) transmitted a short broadcast from the Brant Rock radio tower. This broadcast included Fessenden himself reading verses from the gospel of Luke and with him playing the violin to O Holy Night while singing the last verse, live. Thus giving this Christmas Carol the honor of the first Christmas song ever played across the radio. From the Brant Rock radio tower the Christmas Eve broadcast was heard as far away as Norfolk, Virginia. A re-broadcast on New Year's Eve allowed the song to be heard as far away as the West-Indies.

One last one.

There are many carols that we could examine, but I will leave that to you. But I did want to look at one more, less famous carol.  Charles Wesley began our last consideration of Christmas carols. He wrote “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” This chapter of CCT (Christmas Carol Theology) will begin and end with “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.” Side note, Charles Wesley wrote between 6500 and 10,000 hymns. I did not find a specific enumeration of how many of them were specifically Christmas Carols, but he wrote a hymnal with 25 hymns and poems definitively pointing to Christmas. I am sure that there are many more.

Listen to these words from “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” “Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us....” Remember the angel’s words to Joseph? “And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” And with our sins forgiven, we have nothing to fear, including the fear of death. (See Hebrews 2:9-15 By the way, chapter 1 of Hebrews also demonstrates the supremacy of Jesus.) Here is the full 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.

Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

And notice that the final line points to the Supremacy and completeness of Christ, the focus of our study in Colossians. And as we walk through Colossians 1:24-29 we will find aspects of this carol imbedded in it. 

And in passing, Wesley also wrote, “And Can It Be?” It is included as a Christmas song in some compilations. Regardless, it is a great song. And, in my ipinion, when we get to heaven, we will all sing “The Hallelujah Chorus.” Since it is all Scripture, there will be no doctrinal divisions. Amen. 

(And one day soon, we will all “rise” to meet Him, either individually or corporately in the Rapture. Maranatha! Even so, come Lord Jesus.)

Champion of Love

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