Lk.2:13,14 – And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Music has always been a major part of the Christmas season. Growing up I remember hearing all the opinions being tossed around as to when it was okay to start playing Christmas music. It would usually start with a few sprinkling of Christmas songs on the radio and would increase as Christmas drew near. Now the mall was a different story; the Christmas decorations appeared on the heels of Halloween followed by a full on menu of Christmas music until New Years Day.

Today, I want to reflect about the two basic types of Christmas songs that we all hear. The first category is all about sleigh rides, jingle bells, Santa Claus, and chestnuts. Then there is White Christmas, the Chipmunk’s Christmas song, and who can forget Mele Kalikimaka. Now don’t get me wrong, there is really nothing wrong with any of these songs but let’s face it, they are all hollow and have no lasting effect on us. Now its a different story with the Christmas songs that are about Christ and His birth. Take some time this year and revisit the lyrics to some some of the Christmas songs. Here are the lyrics from Hark the Herald – please read carefully.

1 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 th’angelic hosts proclaim,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain:

Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King”

2 Christ, by highest heaven adored,

Christ, the everlasting Lord,

late in time behold him come,

offspring of the Virgin’s womb:

veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

hail th’incarnate Deity,

pleased with us in flesh to dwell,

Jesus, our Immanuel. [Refrain]

3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

born that we no more may die,

born to raise us from the earth,

born to give us second birth. [Refrain]

Listen to the difference this year to the secular Christmas songs compared to the spiritual. At the end of the day there is no comparison. One is earthly with no lasting value, the other carries the very sound of heaven.