I grew up in Canada during the 1950s and 1960s. A Christmas tradition during that time in Canada for both Christians and non-Christians was to sing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve. Thus, though I was not raised in a Christian home, every Christmas Eve I was exposed to the rich Christian doctrines that are present in the lyrics of so many Christmas carols.

Sadly, Christmas music has evolved. Today, Christmas music is heard not just on Christmas Eve but 24/7 from Thanksgiving (or earlier) to New Year’s Eve. The music, however, does not bring glory and honor to the Creator who came to us as a baby to bring salvation to the world. Instead, nearly all the attention is heaped on Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, mistletoe, sleigh bells, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, dreams of a white Christmas, love gone sour, and even cold weather. The Christmas music I hear in stores, airports, hotels, and other public places will, on rare occasions, feature a Christmas carol but always without the lyrics.

The rationale I hear for avoiding Christmas carol lyrics is that they may offend people of different faiths. However, in my experience people of different faiths enjoy Christmas carols, too. Christmas carols really do bring “joy to the world.”

In Psalm 137 we learn that even the pagan Babylonians demanded songs of joy from their Jewish slaves. They said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” (Psalm 137:3).

For me, Christmas carols are the epitome of joyous music. At this Christmas season, as you and your loved ones celebrate the coming of our Creator, Lord, and Savior I encourage you to take time to listen to the great Christmas carols of our faith. Sing them to your friends, relatives, and neighbors. Consider the rich doctrine in the lyrics. In the context of doctrinal content, my favorite Christmas carol is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The words of the third stanza always bring me to tears:

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!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
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 newborn King!”

Check out more from Dr. Hugh Ross @Reasons.org

About The Author

Dr. Hugh Ross

Reasons to Believe emerged from my passion to research, develop, and proclaim the most powerful new reasons to believe in Christ as Creator, Lord, and Savior and to use those new reasons to reach people for Christ. I also am eager to equip Christians to engage, rather than withdraw from or attack, educated non-Christians. One of the approaches I’ve developed, with the help of my RTB colleagues, is a biblical creation model that is testable, falsifiable, and predictive. I enjoy constructively integrating all 66 books of the Bible with all the science disciplines as a way to discover and apply deeper truths. 1 Peter 3:15–16 sets my ministry goal, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience." Hugh Ross launched his career at age seven when he went to the library to find out why stars are hot. Physics and astronomy captured his curiosity and never let go. At age seventeen he became the youngest person ever to serve as director of observations for Vancouver's Royal Astronomical Society. With the help of a provincial scholarship and a National Research Council (NRC) of Canada fellowship, he completed his undergraduate degree in physics (University of British Columbia) and graduate degrees in astronomy (University of Toronto). The NRC also sent him to the United States for postdoctoral studies. At Caltech he researched quasi-stellar objects, or "quasars," some of the most distant and ancient objects in the universe. Not all of Hugh's discoveries involved astrophysics. Prompted by curiosity, he studied the world’s religions and "holy books" and found only one book that proved scientifically and historically accurate: the Bible. Hugh started at religious "ground zero" and through scientific and historical reality-testing became convinced that the Bible is truly the Word of God! When he went on to describe for others his journey to faith in Jesus Christ, he was surprised to discover how many people believed or disbelieved without checking the evidence. Hugh's unshakable confidence that God's revelations in Scripture and nature do not, will not, and cannot contradict became his unique message. Wholeheartedly encouraged by family and friends, communicating that message as broadly and clearly as possible became his mission. Thus, in 1986, he founded science-faith think tank Reasons to Believe (RTB). He and his colleagues at RTB keep tabs on the frontiers of research to share with scientists and nonscientists alike the thrilling news of what's being discovered and how it connects with biblical theology. In this realm, he has written many books, including: The Fingerprint of God, The Creator and the Cosmos, Beyond the Cosmos, A Matter of Days, Creation as Science, Why the Universe Is the Way It Is, and More Than a Theory. Between writing books and articles, recording podcasts, and taking interviews, Hugh travels the world challenging students and faculty, churches and professional groups, to consider what they believe and why. He presents a persuasive case for Christianity without applying pressure. Because he treats people's questions and comments with respect, he is in great demand as a speaker and as a talk-radio and television guest. Having grown up amid the splendor of Canada's mountains, wildlife, and waterways, Hugh loves the outdoors. Hiking, trail running, and photography are among his favorite recreational pursuits - in addition to stargazing. Hugh lives in Southern California with his wife, Kathy, and two sons.



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