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Luke 2:13-14, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly

                       host praising God saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth

                      peace, goodwill toward men!”

There is one real difference in the way we celebrate Christmas today than when I was a kid.  Singing Christmas carols used to be an important part of remembering the Christmas story.  They would be sung any time the church body got together in December – church services, youth group, parties.  I remember on cold, snowy nights walking to sing at homes of shut -ins, nursing homes, or wherever we wanted.  You have to know I grew up in a community of about 5,000 people.  One time we even used a school bus to get us around to where we would sing.  After caroling, it would be back to the church to have hot chocolate and cookies.  It was pretty fun.

The first Christmas carol was spoken (I wonder why the Bible says the angels were praising God and saying ….) by the angels.  The carol announced the birth of a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.  In the angel’s message there is praise given to God, a song of peace to the earth, and the hope of goodwill toward men.  The angels announced that there was no longer antagonism between humanity and God, the barrier between them was torn down with the birth of His Son.  In Romans 8:1, John would tell us this, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Next time you sing a Christmas carol consider the message that is contained within it.  Perhaps the singing of Christmas carols during the Christmas season could be sung instead of the contemporary songs sung the rest of the year.   To me, it is still an important way to focus on the birth of my Savior.

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