Song Talks

There are historical records from as early as 129 AD of songs written specifically for Christmas celebrations. These Christmas songs were primarily written in Latin, and were not called Carols, but hymns. The word carol comes from the French word carole , meaning circle dance, or song of praise and joy. The singing of carols did not originate with Christianity, but with the pagan practice of celebrating the seasons. The Winter Solstice celebration generally took place around the 22nd of December. It was this time of the year that the Christians claimed for their own celebration of the birth of Christ. The majority of the first Christmas Carols were written in Latin, which was understood only by members of the elite churched few. Because of this, by the Middle Ages (the 1200s) the majority of Christians lost interest in the singing of Christmas Carols. In 1223, the beloved St. Francis of Assisi revived an interest in Christmas and in the singing of Carols. He st...

" Come, let us bow down and worship him; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!" Psalm 95:6.   This is the call of Christmas. To come and worship. This is the common theme through the story as told by the gospel writers Matthew and Luke.  Let's take a look at the passages. " The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them." Luke 2:20.  Shepherds were men of low esteem in Ancient Israel.  They were regarded and looked at as less than. And yet, God delivered His grand message to these men before anyone else.  You can imagine the scene. A couple of dudes minding their business and then a bright light, a gleaming presence followed by a "host" of angels.  That's a lot. They delivered that great message. And then notice the response of the shepherds. Upon seeing the Christ child, they went back and worshipped. They glorified God for what they had seen! The angels pr...