One of the biggest parts of the Christmas holiday are hymns, or "Christmas carols." These songs recount the joy brought into the world through the birth of Christ so many years ago.
From the serene tones of "Silent Night" to the joyful bounce of "Go Tell It On the Mountain," kids, parents and grandparents alike enjoy these lyrics and tunes, which are both fun to sing and bring glory to God!
"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods." (Psalm 95:1-3 KJV).
This Christmas, instead of focusing on Santa Claus and reindeer, help ensure Christ remains at the center of your family's holiday through song.
Below is a list of 7 wonderful Christmas carols for your children, Church service, and family celebrations that serve as a great reminder of the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!
1. Away in a Manger
This is one of the first songs many kids learn in Sunday School, and remains a beloved tune. It tells the story of Christ's birth in beautiful detail.
Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay
The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
2. Angels We Have Heard On High
To get children in the holiday spirit, there's nothing like wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and proclaiming the birth of Christ with this joyful and easy to learn tune and lyrics.
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
[Chorus]
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
[Chorus]
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing,
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
[Chorus]
3. Go Tell It On The Mountain
This bouncy hymn, which highlights the birth and humility of Christ, is sure to bring the joy of the holiday spirit to both you and old.
[Chorus]
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
Refrain
While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
Refrain
The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed the Savior's birth.
Refrain
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.
4. O Come, All Ye Faithful
Although written in the 1700's, this carol remains a timeless classic that encourages Christians to worship and adore Christ, the Lord and Savior.
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;
[Chorus]
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
[Chorus]
All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
[Chorus]
5. Joy To the World
The coming of Christ brought unspeakable joy to the world, for without His birth, there would be no hope of salvation for mankind. As you sing this hymn, reflect on the amazing wonders of Christ's love.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
6. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Written by Charles Wesley, this hymn is based off of Luke 2:13-14, in which an army of angels appeared to the shepherds, proclaiming the birth of Christ.
"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
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!"
7. The First Noel
The roots of the word are the French noel, literally meaning "Christmas Season." This beautiful and easy-to-sing hymn points back to the reason for the Christmas celebration--the coming of Christ into the world.
The first Noel the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay:
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
[Chorus]
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noe;
Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far:
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
[Chorus]
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from the country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
[Chorus]
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind has bought.
[Chorus]
