Christmas carols have been around a long time. In AD 129, Telesphorus, who was the Bishop of Rome, directed his people to sing The Angels Hymn to celebrate “In the Night of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour.” What was that hymn? We don't know what the music sounded like back then but we know the lyrics—which came straight from the Gospel of Luke. Translated from the original Greek into Latin they would be, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo, et in terra pax in hominibus bonae voluntatis.” Translated into English, “Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” The angels shouted it. The church sang it—and has ever since.

We’ll explore five great themes from our Christmas hymns. In order to be born as a human child, God had to set aside His powers of omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. Jesus’ RELEASE of Divine Privilege and entrance into the human race began His RESCUE of humanity from Satan, from this fallen world, and even from our own worst selves. His mission was then to RECONCILE us to God through His life, death and resurrection. In addition, though Jesus appeared as a man, He never stopped being deity. His REIGN in Heaven was secure. One day in the future, His reign will also be on the earth—Jesus will RETURN to claim the throne of his human ancestor, King David, and rule the world in peace.

Our hope is that this Advent would help you sing the old carols with renewed vitality, uninhibited joy, and deeper reverence.