Throughout history, people have loved singing. Whether at baseball games or birthday parties, we sing eagerly, sometimes publicly exposing our lack of native musical talent. Singing in groups—especially at Christmas—is a cultural institution. But why does singing carols and hymns, even if we’re doing it professionally and have no interest in the meaning of words, make such an impact on us?
Singing in worship has always challenged both pulpit and pew with how and why it should be done. In 1861, John Wesley wrote a set of “Directions for Singing” intended to instruct the Methodist community on that subject. Since its publication, it has influenced more than just the Methodists. Two of these directions are below:
Sing lustily – and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half-dead or half-asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sang the songs of Satan.
Sing modestly – do not bawl [to be] heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation that you may not destroy the harmony but strive to unite your voices together so as to make one melodious sound.
Despite our limitations, it is at Christmas that we “lift our voice with strength.” It may be because we really know the songs. Indeed, familiarity is the glue that encourages participation. The Apostle Paul encouraged Christians to sing “with thankfulness in your hearts to God” no matter our level of skill (Col. 3:16).
One of the easiest places to begin learning how to sing is in church. We easily recall psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for life. We never forget them as we age because the act of singing (according to experts) activates our brain’s threads of memorized words and pitch. At nursing homes during Christmas, previously uninvolved residents come alive to sing “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.”
Besides just giving us pleasure, many Christmas songs teach—they are doctrinally rich. Martin Luther used song as a major component for growth in the young Lutheran churches established in the 1520s and beyond. They sang chorales and the catechism for good reason—song was a major teaching tool for the new churches.
Music continues to form us in Christian community. At Saint Andrew’s Chapel, R.C. Sproul often took time to explain the “why” of worship instead of merely doing it reflexively. After a song he asked, “Do you realize what you were just singing?” For him, singing was a vital enzyme in digesting the Word of God.
How does theology function in Christmas carols? Let’s look at some examples.
“Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come”
Sung to ANTIOCH, a tune “arranged from Handel” by Lowell Mason. Isaac Watts’ text explores themes of glory, sovereignty, holiness, truth, and grace. It is a catalog of God’s attributes for any preacher to quote.
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Sung to VENI EMMANUEL, a plainsong (early chant) melody. This hymn is a passionate plea for Immanuel’s arrival, beginning from Isaiah and moving through multiple references to the child Jesus’ nature and purpose.
“Comfort, Comfort Ye My People”
Sung to THIRSTING by Louis Bourgeois, a composer of the Genevan Psalter, based on Isaiah 40:1–2. This seventeenth-century text by Johannes Olearius offers Christian teaching on the Word’s prophetic power, plus God’s purpose in sending a Savior.
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Sung to ST. LOUIS by L.H. Redner. This nineteenth-century tune displays a clear fulfillment of a prophecy in Micah 5:2. Phillips Brooks’ 1868 text paraphrases Luke account of Jesus’ birth with a clear gospel prayer in verse 4:
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in;
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel.
“Thou Who Wast Rich”
Sung to QUELLE EST CETTE ODEUR AGREABLE, a French carol arranged by Charles H. Kitson, and text by Frank Houghton.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor,
All for love’s sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising,
Heav’n-ward by thine eternal plan.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Savior and King, we worship thee.
Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what thou wouldst have us be.
Why do we sing Christmas songs? Surely, they provide joy, help us recall Jesus’ birth and life, and form us spiritually. Leading up to Christmas, we recite doctrines of creation, glory, incarnation, and atonement (to name just a few) in familiar hymns and carols. In the process, we are encouraged to daily live out the gospel of Christ.
Ligonier Ministries