The Richness of Historic Christmas Hymns is Unmatched
Recently, I had a conversation with my wife about modern worship music and why it often leaves me feeling strangely melancholy. The truth is much of today’s Christian music seems to lack the qualities that once made it so rich and meaningful. Many songs lack theological depth—some even make questionable, if not outright heretical, statements. They often feel uninspired, with forgettable melodies, no real storytelling, and a one-dimensional approach that leaves little to ponder or reflect on. What’s more, contemporary worship music tends to rely heavily on overly emotional, atmospheric sounds and lyrics to create an emotional experience for the individual rather than fostering reverent worship to Christ our Lord. This point really struck me after a worship service where every song seemed to echo the same sentiment: “Life is hard, life is bad.” You get the sense that life is nothing but pain, even with mere allusions to Christ. And it is for this reason that I look forward to Christmas hymns every year.
Christmas is one of the rare times each year when many contemporary churchgoers and the general populace are exposed to theologically rich songs that capture the profound anticipation surrounding the arrival of Christ the King. During this season, the focus shifts from emotionally driven worship concerts to hymns that proclaim deep truths: Christ’s exaltation, the joyful fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, the humility of His incarnation, and the paradoxical display of kingship in the form of a newborn lying in a manger. Unlike much of modern worship music—often reduced to platitudes and loosely connected phrases set to four chords—Christmas hymns tell powerful stories. They transport us to the night when Christ was born, a moment of divine intervention following centuries of silence and unrest, offering a sense of awe and reverence that contemporary worship so often lacks. Sadly, we rarely hear similarly rich songs about Christ’s death, resurrection, or future return. Yet, by God’s gracious providence, the contemporary church is spared this drought of well-written, glorious songs when it comes to celebrating Christ’s birth during the Christmas season. And even more, these hymns have transcended the walls of the church, becoming cherished cultural traditions—songs that echo in public squares, homes, and gatherings, making the profound truths of Christ’s birth accessible to all.
Case Study: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
One of my favorite hymns is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Its origins trace back to a Latin text from the 8th or 9th century, based on the seven Advent antiphons traditionally sung in the days leading up to Christmas. These antiphons, often referred to as the “O Antiphons,” each focus on a unique title of Christ drawn from Old Testament prophecies, such as “O Wisdom,” “O Root of Jesse,” and “O King of Nations.” The hymn was later translated into English in the 19th century and eventually evolved into the beloved song we know today.
This hymn is a poetic retelling of Israel’s history, capturing the giving of the Law, the exile of God’s people, their captivity, and their ultimate redemption through Christ, the “Rod of Jesse.” It masterfully conveys the longing and anticipation for the Messiah, reflecting Israel’s yearning for deliverance not only from earthly exile but also from spiritual bondage. These themes find a crescendo in the stanza:
“From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.”
The lyrics vividly express the Advent tension: a deep ache for salvation combined with the promise of eternal joy. The refrain, “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel,” serves as both a triumphant proclamation and a hopeful reminder of Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
The name “Emmanuel,” often sung with heartfelt repetition, means “God with us.” This profound truth lies at the heart of the Christian faith: the God of the universe became flesh and dwelt among His people. The incarnation of Christ—fully God and fully man—began not with fanfare or royal splendor but with a humble birth to a virgin in an obscure town. This truth is so astonishingly intimate and yet cosmic in scope that it has inspired wonder and contemplation.
For example, a few years ago, Tim Keller sparked a lively consternation on social media when he tweeted, “The God of the universe became a wiggling baby in order to get close to you.” Critics argued Keller’s phrasing reduced the incarnation to sentimentality, emphasizing only Christ’s nearness while neglecting His ultimate purpose of glorifying the Triune God. Yes, seemingly unaware that two things can be true at once, both perspectives coexist beautifully. The incarnation indeed magnifies God’s glory, and it simultaneously testifies to His astonishing love for humanity. Christ took on flesh to bring salvation to His people, and this mission began—as Keller noted—with the vulnerability of a “wiggling baby” to get near to use. “God with us.”
Ultimately, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel retells the story of Israel and celebrates the nearness of God through Christ and points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of His presence in the new creation. It encapsulates the Advent themes of longing and joy, reminding us that the Messiah has come to save His people from sin, death, and the devil, and will one day restore all things. Few songs capture the gravity and glory of the incarnation with such poetic depth, making this hymn a cherished treasure for generations of believers.
Case Study #2: O Holy Night
A great example of a creative and theologically rich hymn is O Holy Night, a Christmas classic based on a French poem by Placide Cappeau and composed by Adolphe Adam. Not only is this hymn another personal favorite, but it stands out as a great example of how hymns can beautifully convey the anticipation, arrival, and profound impact of Christ’s birth. Far from being a sentimental or atmospheric description of the night Christ was born, O Holy Night tells a story brimming with theological depth and emotional resonance.
Verse One: A World in Darkness Awaits Redemption
The first verse plunges us into the despair of a fallen world, longing for salvation:
“Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.”
These lines capture the collective yearning of humanity, trapped in sin and estranged from God. The imagery of “pining” evokes an aching, unfulfilled longing—a deep spiritual hunger. Yet with Christ’s arrival, there is a dramatic shift: “Till He appeared.” That moment of divine intervention—the Incarnation—brings a profound sense of worth to the human soul. It’s as though the arrival of Christ breathes life and meaning into a lifeless world, offering hope where there was despair.
The verse crescendos into the unforgettable chorus:
“O night divine, O night when Christ was born.”
This refrain doesn’t merely narrate the night’s events; it celebrates the cosmic significance of Christ’s birth. It was not an ordinary night but the fulfillment of centuries of promises—a night that forever changed the course of history. This declaration encapsulates the joy, awe, and worship that permeate the hymn.
Verse Two: Divine Majesty Meets Humble Humanity
The second verse juxtaposes the glory of Christ’s kingship with the humility of His incarnation:
“The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials, born to be our friend.”
This imagery mirrors the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 2:6–8, which describe Christ’s willing humility:
“Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself… being born in the likeness of men.”
In taking on human form, Christ not only demonstrates His love but also His deep empathy for humanity. The hymn emphasizes that He understands our struggles, pains, and weaknesses. As Hebrews 4:15 reminds us Christ is not a distant, aloof Savior; He is intimately familiar with human frailty.
Early Church Father Clement of Alexandria echoes this truth, writing: “For this He clothed Himself with man. For this He voluntarily subjected Himself to the experiences of men, that by bringing Himself to the measure of our weakness… He might correspondingly bring us to the measure of His own strength.”
Christ’s humility and nearness make His glory even more profound. The King of kings chose a manger, not a throne, to begin his earthly life.
Verse Three: Redemption, Reconciliation, and Worship
The final verse shifts the focus to Christ’s transformative work and the implications for humanity:
“Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.”
Here, the hymn proclaims the redemptive power of Christ’s teaching. His coming not only reconciles humanity to God but also to one another, establishing a new way of living marked by love, peace, and unity. The emphasis on brotherly love reflects the fulfillment of the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–39).
As the verse builds, the hymn crescendos into jubilant praise:
“His power and glory evermore proclaim!”
The hymn encapsulates the cosmic purpose and profound significance of Christ’s humble birth. Far from being just a historical event, it marks the climactic fulfillment of centuries of longing for the Messiah—a moment that transforms history and eternity, as all creation is called to proclaim His glory forever.
Conclusion
I could easily continue analyzing other Christmas hymns. Take, for example, how “Joy to the World” truly lives up to its name with a jubilant melody—a refreshing contrast to the overly emotional tone of much modern worship music. Or how “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” beautifully captures the thrill of a long-awaited King finally arriving after centuries of anticipation. Consider also “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” a Eucharistic hymn (thanks to my friend Blake for pointing this out), or classics like “We Three Kings” and “Silent Night.” Each one, as the kids say, is an undeniable banger. And all of them stand in stark contrast to many of the creatively bankrupt worship songs churned out by the Contemporary Christian music industry today.
Notably, these hymns are among the few that have endured in the public square. Christmas remains a rare season when even non-Christians encounter profound theological truths in malls, grocery stores, and gyms—truths about the incarnation, the grand narrative of the Bible, and Christ’s redemptive work for humanity. It’s remarkable that these songs are still culturally acceptable, and this persistence speaks volumes. It’s a reminder of why preserving such traditions matters. As our society increasingly distances itself from these customs, we should be wary of such denigration. In other words, maybe the old fundamentalists had it right: maybe we should be aware of when our culture attempts to take Christ out of Christmas.
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