Christmas is a season of song. Everywhere you go at Christmastime, there is music. Even secular songs echo the cheer of the season. And, of course, the Christian carols of Christmas are rich in celebration and worship. This makes Christmas a wonderful season to sing.
But not all Christmases are melodic. Some seasons choke our songs. Grief, loss, anxiety, or other hurts weigh on our hearts and burden our spirits. Can we sing then?
The good news is that what we celebrate at Christmas is larger than a feeling of festivity. We who know Christ celebrate the reality that God came into our world and is right now present with us. This is reason to sing regardless of your circumstances.
Earlier this year, I wrote a small book along these lines. Titled Songs in the Night, this new book will lead you on a journey through the Christmas story by way of five beloved carols.
Writing this book reminded me of the multi-faceted reasons Christmas gives us to sing. Christ’s coming to Earth brings hope, humility, peace, proclamation, and joy—five truths that inspire our songs this season.
Why should we sing this Christmas?
1. Because of the Hope Christ Brings
Christmas reminds us that God has not forgotten His promises. From the first prophecy of a Savior in Genesis 3:15 to the angel’s announcement to Mary, the story of Christmas is steeped in hope fulfilled. God’s supernatural fulfillment of His promise to send a Savior assures us that He will also keep every other promise He has made to us.
Christmas reminds us that God has not forgotten His promises. Share on XAs Christians, then, we can sing—not because everything in our lives are going great, but because of the hope we have in Christ and our confidence in His promises.
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
This hope isn’t just for a better tomorrow—it’s the assurance of God’s presence today and the promise of eternity with Him. Even in seasons of heartache, we can sing because we know Jesus is our hope.
2. To Express Humility through Worship
Christmas challenges our notions of greatness. The King of kings was not born in a palace but in a humble stable in Bethlehem. He chose an insignificant town and ordinary parents for His entrance into the world. This humility reflects God’s heart and invites us to worship Him in humility.
Actually, true worship requires humility. Singing praise to God, especially in our seasons of difficulty, is a way to affirm that we believe He is great and that His heart toward us is good. Singing can be a way to acknowledge our need for Him and our surrender to His will.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. (Luke 1:46–47)
3. To Calibrate Your Heart in the Peace of God
Peace doesn’t come through comfortable surroundings or perfectly-crafted moments. It isn’t the result of the absence of sound or a rest from external pressures. Peace comes through the presence of God.
Jesus came to bring us peace with God. He ultimately came to give His life for our sins on the cross so that we can be reconciled to God.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
When we have trusted Christ as our Savior, we then have the very presence of God in our lives through the indwelling Holy Spirit. And He gives us the peace of God. Because Jesus is with us, we can experience peace in our souls as we trust His sovereignty and bring our needs to Him in prayer.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
This Christmas, you can rest in the peace that Jesus provides, knowing that it is not the absence of trouble but the assurance of His presence that steadies our hearts.
This Christmas, you can rest in the peace that Jesus provides, knowing that it is not the absence of trouble but the assurance of His presence that steadies our hearts. Share on X4. To Proclaim the Gospel to the World
The angels’ announcement to the shepherds was more than a declaration; it was an invitation to share the good news.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. … And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (Luke 2:10–11, 16–17)
Christmas calls us to proclaim the message of Christ’s birth to those who do not know Christ. And Christmas is one of the easiest times of the year to tell people about Jesus and even to invite them to gospel-themed Christmas events. Like many churches, we are hosting special services this Christmas season, all of which include the beautiful sounds of the season in song and the preached Word of God and invitation to trust Jesus as Savior.
5. To Enlarge Your Joy
The joy Christ came to bring is not dependent on our circumstances; it is rooted in the truth of who Jesus is. At Christmas, we rejoice because Jesus has come, and He has made a way for us to know Him personally. This joy is discovered as we purposefully seek God.
The joy Christ came to bring is not dependent on our circumstances; it is rooted in the truth of who Jesus is. Share on XThe wise men who came to worship Christ experienced joy in their search and their discovery.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10–11)
We also experience joy as we seek the Lord and personally discover His faithfulness and goodness. Singing about Him emphasizes these truths and enlarges our joy.
Songs in the Night
In the midst of every challenge of life, Jesus’ coming to Earth and His presence in our lives is a story worth singing about.
Tweet this: In the midst of every challenge of life, Jesus’ coming to Earth and His presence in our lives is a story worth singing about. Share on X
As mentioned earlier, I recently published a new book, Songs in the Night, which leads readers on a journey through the Christmas story by way of five beloved carols. Each chapter gives a brief history of the writing of the carol while focusing on what Jesus came to give us that first Christmas.
- “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”—Hope
- “O Little Town of Bethlehem”—Humility
- “Silent Night”—Peace
- “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”—Proclamation
- “Joy to the World”—Joy
Whether this Christmas feels jubilant or sorrowful, whether you need songs of joy or comfort, I pray that the message of this book will encourage you to find your song in Jesus.
Songs in the Night is available through Striving Together Publications or Amazon and makes a wonderful devotional or gift during this Christmas season.
