Singing Joy!

Have you started singing Christmas Carols? Yesterday I did! Every morning I'm singing one Christmas Carol and then reading the story behind the song in my hymn devotion book.

"Joy to the World" was the first carol I sang. It was written by Isaac Watts at a time when most of the singing in British churches was from the Psalms. He became dissatisfied with the quality of singing so, he "invented" the English hymn.

"Taking various psalms, he studied them from the perspective of Jesus and the New Testament, and then formed them into verses for singing," Robert J. Morgan wrote in his book: Then Sings My Soul: Special Edition. "Watts said: 'I have rather expressed myself as I may suppose David would have done if he lived in the days of Christianity, and by this means, perhaps I have sometimes hit upon the true intent of the Spirit of God in those verse farther and clearer than David himself could ever discover.'"

Think about all the beautiful Christmas Carols we sing during this blessed season. Just by reading lines from a carol you know the music and can't help but sing! Give it a try!

"The First Noel," "Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel." 

"It Came Uon the Midnight Clear," "Peace on the earth good will to men, From heaven's all gracious King! The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing."

"Angels We Have Heard on High," . . . Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains." 

"I Heard the Bells on Christ Day," . . . Their old familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words repeat, Of peace on earth, good will to men." 

What Child Is This? "So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh; come peasant king to own Him. The King of kings, salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him." 

"O Little Town of Bethlehem," 'O holy child of Bethlehem, Descend to us we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today."

"There's a Song in the Air," "In the light of that star Lie the ages impearled; And that song from afar Has swept over the world."" 

Away in a Manger," "The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes."

This Christmas Season enjoy a Christmas hymn each day, both singing and reading the words. The joy that fills your soul will carry you through each day. If concerns are heavy on your heart this year, remembering these hymns from childhood may help you go through this month with a lighter heart and the HOPE God has given us.

By His  Grace . . .