Sing We Now of Christmas

Intro

As we gather and sing today, we join a long standing tradition that outlives all of us.

The first Christmas song that we know of was written by St. Hilary of Poitiers called, “Jesus Refulsit Omnium” which translates out of the original Latin that it was written in to “Jesus, Light of All the Nations.” It was written between 310 and 367 Ad. Saint Hilary was considered to be the first Latin Hymn Writer but also, unknowingly, created for us, the first written song directly tied to the celebration of Jesus’ birth and his coming as Lord and savior.

The occasion, scholars have said was that around that time was the first time that Christmas was celebrated around the time of 336 Ad. That was the first time the church and the people really latched on to the idea that Christmas, the advent of the Messiah, the coming of the Savior was a special event, unique in humanities story, and one that changed the course of history forever. Such an event does call us out of the normal and put anticipation and magnitude in our hearts.

From then on, Christmas has been a date on our calendars but more so, a time of celebration and remembrance. Its a time when we gather with loved ones and dear friends. Its a time when we take stock of the years glories and hard times. Its a time of joy and celebration that seems to bring out graciousness and loving-kindness out of us in the best of ways.

Tension

It is on this occasion and in this spirit of Joyous praise that singing of Christmas became and still is a part of our praise, but despite St. Hilary’s efforts, he did not write the first song of Christmas praise.

Instead, the children reminded us of the first ever Christmas song written this morning. Lets remind ourselves again.

Truth

In the middle of the night, to the cold of the evening air, a child was born. Not any child but a king. Not any king but the king of all kings. However, despite his status, his position, and the glory due to his name, he was not brought into a gilded palace or placed on a high mountain of great prominence. He was born to a no-name girl with a no-name man in a backwater town in the middle of nowhere. He was born among livestock because no hospitable places where left. He was born and placed not in robes of purple and gold, to signify his royalty or holiness but in swaddling rags and placed not on a throne of power or authority but in a food trough.

These conditions wouldn’t fly in our modern day at all but were bare bones in even their day. No one could have imagined such a humble beginning to the story of salvation. But, despite the humbleness of the parents, the birth, the lodging, and the situation, the Father did not let the glory of this gift go unrecognized. Instead he brought about the most beautiful choir ever assembled to announce the reality of Emmanuel's arrival.

Luke 2:8–14 (ESV)

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Lowly shepherd's would be the only audience to the most beautiful songs ever sung. Little did they understand how significant their lives would become as they were the first ones to hear the news. In this story, they very much are us. Unassuming, unworthy, and unready for what was being done in front of them and for them. Yet this night, they were bear witness to a joy that mankind had waited for since the first man commited the first sin with the first woman. The arrival of the messiah, god with us, the son of God, the all-sufficient sacrifice, the prince of peace and Lord of Lords.

These men were purposely and beautifully chosen by God to receive this message and this song. A perfect choice to convey to the world that this messiah would not be a lofty king or absent ruler but one who would be from among the people and for the outcast and overlooked. He would be called friend of sinners and reviled for the way he favored the lost, broken, and struggling.

As their fear subsided it was replaced by awe and wonder to the message of the child King who was borne just a stone’s throw from their flocks right now. This occasion and this great news was sealed and kicked into the proper stratosphere by the choir performance that no one had ever seen nor heard before and will not again this side of glory.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

What key was this sung in? What was the melody? Was it just this chorus repeated over and over? Different sections for bass, alto, sopranos?

In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) gives us the translation of this word “Ain-eo” to praise. Feel the weight of it with me.

to, or towards, for or about, to admire, to eulogize; praise, or exclaim. To give a Halleluiah, to praise or admit praiseworthiness; to boast in.

to confess, to take confession of no equivalent.

to raise a song of priase, declare praisworthy actions, to sing praises and laud.

In four part harmony or as a solo, it doesn’t matter but the subject of their song was to bring glory, praise, honor, and confession to the arrival of the king. Glory like this had not be seen nor heard by human ears until now.

think with me now about the importance of the last line of their song.

On earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.

We had not known peace because our sin and failure mired all of our civilizations and thriving with war, death, destruction, and unrighteousness. Yet, God, because of his pity, his love, and his grace decided to pour out upon us a peace we could never bring ourselves. We find, secondly, that we are the unmerited recipients of his favor and his pleasure. That he, loves us so much, that he sent his son for us. Such a love has not been felt friends. Such a gift has not been given. That the God of all glory would send his pure and spotless son to become a sacrifice for me. For you. Yet this was the message of this song of the angels to convey the beauty of this moment to shepherds so that they would see and hear and proclaim themselves.

Luke 2:17–18 (ESV)

17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.

18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

I interpret this to be the biggest understatement that language gives us. These men hear this song of glory incarnate, grace made manifest and they are amazed. It’s my beleif that at this moment, taken over by the news they’ve heard and now that hope confirmed by their own eyes they could not help themselves but tell any and everyone they could find on the streets. They sung and praised God loudly, proclaiming what God had done for mankind and how they had seen it’s truth with their own eyes. Such news spread around town as all news does in small towns and wonder fell upon the hearts of all who heard.

Could it be? Finally? Is the messiah here? Has it finally been done? After all this time? What does this mean for my family and I? Should we go see? Fall on our faces before him? bring him gifts? Should I even go see him covered in sin and failure? Would he even want to see me?

Landing

What would be going through your mind then if you heard these men, these shepherds proclaiming that God was here! St. Hilary had it right, this is a cause of celebration. A cause of praise and worship. A reason to sing beautiful songs because as we would later see and fully understand, Jesus arrived to unassuming people in humble circumstance to show that God’s love and forgiveness was for us all. That this gift of his life and righteous requirement of the law was given for the unworthy because of the Love of God. Such a gift deserves songs. Such a gift demands praise and worship. Such a gift calls me to give my life to the task of proclaiming it’s promise.

So how about you church? When we sing these songs do you go back and remember that you have truth worthy of going and telling on the mountain? That a silent night made way for your salvation? That when we declare “Joy to the World” that we are talking about this great joy on this great day? We have much to sing about church and this tradition was handed down to us today and continues to be handed down through us to those behind us. Embrace these songs and the hope they bring. Give them to your kids and grandkids. Tell the stories they speak of. Impress their importance into your hearts and as a legacy hanging from your family tree. In doing so you continue the message of great joy and peace that God has towards men, on whom his favor rests.