Approximate Reading Time: 5 minutes

I’m a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas songs. It’s not that I outright dislike Christmas music, but many lyrics tend to be more poetic and feel-good than something that makes us reflect on the truths of God. Plus, there only seems to be about 8 Christmas songs in circulation each year, and that gets old quickly.

However, there are some lyrics that confront us with the reality of a sinful world that finally received its savior. It points out the glory and majesty of our God who humbled Himself, taking on human flesh so He could redeem His enemies. There’s much about the Christmas story that leaves us in awe, and I love it when a song focuses on that.

This list isn’t exhaustive, nor is it in any particular order. However, these are a few of my favorite lyrics to hear and reflect on.

The First Noel

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought

The rest of this song is a story that is little different from most other Christmas songs. Shepherds, wise men, angels… you know the drill. But when we get to the end and collectively call for praise and worship of our God, it adds so much meaning to the surrounding story. It’s not just about this cute little baby in a manger, but the King of Israel being born to reclaim creation, shedding His blood to give us peace with God that we could never earn on our own.

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you

It’s hard not to cheat and just put all the lyrics to this song because the whole thing just makes me want to worship the majesty of Christ. I find it humorous that some Christians bristle at this song because it has Catholic connotations, while in the Catholic world this is a very controversial song because it implies that Mary needed a savior.

Many of us have probably wondered what life was like for Mary. She knew she was birthing the savior, but no one really knew what sort of savior He would actually be. What must it have been like to know that this little human who can’t even hold His head up would be your own savior? Mary was a servant of God, and in her arms was the only person who could make her sins right before God. The boy she just birthed and cleaned would one day wash her sins away through His death and resurrection.

O Holy Night

Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born

One thing we often forget is that sin didn’t just make us enemies of God. Romans 8:19-23 reminds us that the entire universe was broken by sin. God entering the world wasn’t just good news for us, but the entirety of what He created.

Likewise, the second line reminds us of just how weighty our souls are. The more we see of God’s holiness, the more unworthy we see ourselves of His goodness and mercy. How much less deserving are we of not just being forgiven, but also getting to enjoy Him forever?

From that, the line “fall on your knees” is the only appropriate thing we can sing at that point. Christ entered the world not because of our value, but purely because of His goodness. That night truly was divine, for it marked the beginning of something all of creation had been waiting for. 

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Israel had long expected their Messiah to come with a sword in hand, ready to overthrow Roman rule and establish Israel as the head of all nations. Instead, God had something much richer in mind. He didn’t send Christ to conquer the world as a warrior, but to conquer sin through humiliation and His own death.

The contrast of what His birth meant for us is so incredible. He was born so that we could live. He took on a mortal life to raise us from the death our sin brings. 

Glory to the newborn King!

What Child Is This?

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

It occurs to me that despite knowing this song, some may not be familiar with this particular section. For reasons I haven’t been able to figure out, this section has been replaced over the years. My only guess is because of the old-fashioned term for a donkey but… surely a simple word replacement is worth it in order to preserve such incredible lyrics? But I digress.

The second part of these lines is the real meaning of Christmas. We get so caught up in picturing Jesus as a sweet little baby who never caused His parents any issues. We easily forget that this little baby existed for one purpose – to be slaughtered by the very people He created. He was born to die, His entire life always pointing Him to a cruel and unjust death on a cross.

Praise God that He didn’t leave us under His wrath, instead sending Christ to pay a price we could never afford and giving grace we will never deserve. 

What are yours?

Those are some of my favorite Christmas lyrics, but I’m sure I missed some great ones. If you have a song or lyric that always stands out to you, please share them in the comments or on social media!