Whether we like them or not, Christmas songs are pretty much inescapable at this time of year.
The UK’s favourite seasonal track is ‘Fairytale Of New York’, apparently. You might think otherwise. The nation’s top carol is, ‘O Holy Night’. At least according to a Classic FM poll. ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ was robbed.
The very first Christmas song wasn’t by Bing Crosby, or even Cliff Richard. It had a more heavenly origin. According to the account of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke, the angel of the Lord had been sent to tell some shepherds that the long-awaited Saviour of the World had been born.
This was his message: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” Suddenly, a heavenly host of angels appeared in the night sky. We hear them sing,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
Shepherds in the ancient world were the last ones on whom God’s favour rested. At least that’s what people thought. Shepherds had a reputation for dishonesty and their work kept them away from worship in the temple at Jerusalem. Yet the angles sang of God’s undeserved favour towards sinners, his grace.
That’s what the message of Christmas is all about; God’s grace towards human beings revealed in the birth of Jesus Christ. We can have peace with God because Jesus was born into our world, lived a perfect human life and died for our sins upon the Cross.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
Pastor: Guy Davies
Providence Baptist Church
www.pbc.ebc.org.uk
