The Twelve Days of Christmas Carols
Christmastide Reflections on Songs of the Season
The crowd that began gathering in Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Christ was varied. The angels would be joined by shepherds and other faithful followers. In the Christmas carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” we too are invited to adore Him, Christ our Lord.
The editors of the Glory to God Presbyterian Hymnal give us this background information on what they have included as hymn selection 133. “From its Roman Catholic origins, this 18th-century hymn has spread to worldwide use by many denominations in both Latin and vernacular versions. Once popular with a wide range of hymn texts, this tune (ADESTE FIDELES) is now firmly associated with this Christmas text from which it is named.”
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant;
O come ye; O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold him, born the King of angels!Refrain:
O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him,
Christ, the Lord!True God from true God, light from light eternal,
born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
very God, begotten, not created! [Refrain]Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest! [Refrain]Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! [Refrain]
Prayer
Wonderful God, I come with people from all walks of life to adore the Christ and follow him as my Lord and Savior. Make this journey my passion and my quest. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.