Are We Listening to the Lyrics?

The Wonder of Christmas Carols 1 Corinthians 14:15

I. Introduction (1Corinthians 14:15)

A. 1Co 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the under-standing also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

B. For a few weeks each December, profound Christmas songs of worship become a part of the holiday atmosphere everywhere we go. The fact that our culture still likes them provides us with a unique opportunity to share the gospel. It is the perfect time to even explain the meaning of these songs to those who don’t know Christ.

C. But, do YOU know what these carols actually are saying yourself?

D. Whatever music people listen to; they seldom listen to the lyrics.

1. We hum the tune, remember a few words, but for the most part we don’t think about the words. And even mis-sing the words

2. Children often do that. Children’s misunderstandings of Christmas carols… a. Joy to the world, the Lord has gum… b. Round John Virgin, mother and child… c. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel … Barney’s the king of Israel… d. We three kings, of porridge and tar… e. O come, froggy faithful, joyful and triumphant… f. Joy to the world, and let’s have fun, let earth receive her keys… g. Get dressed, ye married gentlemen, let nothing you this may… h. The cattle are lowing, The Baby awakes… Becomes, The Cattle are lonely, the baby awakes i. The first Noel the angels did say was to frighten poor shepherds in fields as they lay j. While shepherds washed their socks at night (instead of flocks) k. Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the New York King. Peace on earth and then he smiles; God and sitters reconciled l. On the twelfth day of Christmas…

   1. My tulip sent to me:
   2. Twelve drummers drumming,
   3. Eleven pipers piping,
   4. Ten lawyers leaving,
   5. Nine lazy Hansons,
   6. Eight maids a-milking,
   7. Seven warts on women,
   8. Six geezers laying,
   9. Five golden rings,
   10. Four calling birds,
   11. Three French hens,
   12. Two turtle doves,
   13. And a cartridge in a pantry.

E. So, What are we listening to in life? What are we hearing?

F. Especially from OUR music - the Hymns and Carols of Christmas.

II. Background

A. I, like most of you, grew up with Christmas carols being played throughout the holidays.

B. We had Christmas trees, and frothy hot chocolate, hours of shopping, and then wrapping, and the driving to grandma’s house!

C. But the music that drifted through the house and came even from the TV was never really pondered. Not like it was meant to be.

D. Christmas Carols and hymns give this season a voice.

E. It sets this time of year absolutely apart from the entire rest of the year!

F. Because Carols are more than beautiful, and sweet, and cute…

G. …They are ‘life-changing’.

H. It took me years to recognize it, but the power of the words exceed the majesty of the melody of all of those Christmas carols.

I. And as much as I loved the melody of the music, it was the words that moved me.

J. As we sing them tonight, let them move you and change you too!

III. The Lyrics of the World

A. The world is full of music, or what claims to be music.

B. The world’s music is different than heaven’s, and comes from the thoughts and hearts of men and women infected by the poison of our depravity.

C. The world creates music that is limited to our dark understanding of life and love and eternity without God.

D. But you will never notice how dark the world’s music is until you study the words of the world’s music, and learn of its effect!

1. Like the song, Baby It’s Cold Outside - not a good song

2. Like the “Christmas” song, Santa Claus is Coming to Town - creepy

IV. The Lyrics of Christmas

A. The lyrics of Christmas are not from the minds and hearts of men.

B. Christmas lyrics are penned by God, through changed lives so that we all might enjoy as He reverses all the curses, and make a blessing everywhere and in everyone.

1. They are words that call us to all that is good and all that is great.

2. They inspire us to live above mediocrity and selfishness.

3. They challenge us to live truly free - from fear, sorrow, loneliness, and from all defeat

4. These words melt hearts, and break down barriers between the harshest of enemies

5. They call us to a restoration of everything that we were made to be but everything that we have stubbornly refused to be.

C. Christmas carols shine into the darkest holes of our lives, at this coldest and darkest time of the year.

D. If we would do more than just HEAR the lyrics, but also LIVE what we are listening to at Christmas, we might just experience the joy that all those carols all sing about.

E. So, at this time of year, ask yourself, “What are the lyrics that I am listening to?” And “Do I ponder them enough to believe them myself?”

V. Christmas Carols/Hymns

A. As we sing these, take note of things that you never saw before

1. O Holy Night a. Reminds us that the world was “in sin and error pining,” wasting away until our dear Saviour “appeared and the soul felt its worth” because of God’s salvation.

2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen a. Tidings of comfort and joy come from knowing that “Jesus Christ our Saviour” was born “to save us all from Satan’s power, when we were gone astray.” b. Human beings, guilty of disobedience and rebellion against God, are enslaved to sin. They face God’s wrath against them. The Bible says “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” and that “the wages of sin is death” including eternal separation from God. But, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” c. There is a perfect rest in Jesus Christ

3. Hark the Herald Angels Sing a. In Hark the Herald Angels Sing, we learn that only through “the newborn King” can “God and sinners [be] reconciled.” b. We are also reminded that Jesus, being God, took on human flesh. “Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; … Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity.” c. These words echo the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote that “there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men,” the Lord Jesus Christ. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them” - providing a way of salvation for those who deserve nothing more than God’s condemnation.

4. What Child Is This? a. In the second verse, we find these lyrics: “Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, the Cross be borne for me [and] for you.” When Christ died on the Cross, He paid the penalty for sin for all those who would believe in Him. b. Quoting Paul again, in his letter to the Colossians, we read this about those who have trusted Jesus Christ. Col 2:13,14 “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”

5. The First Noel a. The last verse of The First Noel reiterates this point: “Then let us all with one accord, sing praises to our heavenly Lord, [who] hath made heaven and earth of nought, And with His blood mankind hath bought.” b. The very God who created the world out of nothing, is the same God who makes salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life possible through Jesus Christ. c. Of course, Jesus Christ did not stay in the tomb; He rose again on the third day, demonstrating that He had truly defeated sin and death. Forty days after His resurrection, He ascended to heaven where He now sits at His Father’s right hand. By paying sin’s penalty and defeating its power, Christ alone makes salvation available to all who believe in Him as their Lord and Saviour.

6. Silent Night a. Listen to these words, “Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace.” b. Redeeming grace is why Jesus came. It is why He died; so that through Him, sinful men and women might be reconciled and restored to God. The message of Christmas brings sinners to a crossroads, where they must deal with the Person of Jesus Christ. Will you embrace Him as Lord and Saviour? Or will you dismiss His claim on your life and reject the salvation He offers? c. He is the only way of salvation. As the apostle Peter proclaimed about Jesus in Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

7. Joy to the World a. “Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room,” meaning that each person is called to embrace Jesus Christ, as both Saviour and King.

8. O Come All ye Faithful… Let Us Adore Him a. Everyone, young and old, rich and poor should come and know Him, worship Him, and follow Him b. But only those who seek to follow Him, faithfully will end up adoring Him - worshipping Him c. Those of us who do adore Him, stay faithful. Cooling off spiritually, is dangerous

9. Angels We Have Heard on High a. Exhorts all to “come, adore on bended knee, Christ, the Lord, the new-born King.” b. That’s what true and humble worship looks like c. The Word of God calls every person to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ - believing in Him, trusting in His sacrifice, and submitting to His authority in life.

B. There are so many Christmas carols, of course, that speak of Christ’s birth:

1. Away in a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Go Tell It on the Mountain, and others emphasize the very heart of Christmas - the birth of the Messiah.

2. But Jesus did not stay a baby in the manger.

3. The reason we celebrate His birth is (1) because of who He is - the Son of God - and (2) because of what He came to do - to save His people from their sins.

4. Because God is holy, He must punish sin. If sin is to be forgiven, it must be covered by an adequate sacrifice. The carols we sing at Christmas remind us that Jesus Christ was born to be that perfect sacrifice. In other words, He came to die.

5. With these truths in mind, I love the words of the second verse of Angels from the Realms of Glory. They serve as a fitting conclusion: a. Sinners, wrung with true repentance, Wrung means hurt b. Doomed for guilt to endless pains, Hell c. Justice now revokes the sentence, Mercy d. Mercy calls you; break your chains. True Freedom e. Come and worship, come and worship, That’s why we should worship f. Worship Christ, the newborn King.