This is a compilation of the old familiar Christmas songs in our church hymn book that I put together to tell the Nativity story. I hope that their words of old will rekindle a new love for our Savior in all of us.
"A Christmas Nativity Medley"
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Come Thou long expected Jesus!
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown when Thou camest to earth for me; but in Bethlehem's home was there found no room for Thy holy nativity. O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light, the hopes and fears of all the years, are met in thee tonight.
Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King; away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; the stars in the sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright, round yon virgin mother and Child. How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n! For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love.
While shepherds watch'd their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, the angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around, and glory shone around. Shepherds heard the heav'nly chorus and were sore afraid; but an angel spoke the tidings that all fears allayed. "Fear not!" said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind; "Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind, to you and all mandkind.
"To you in David's town this day is born, of David's line, the Savior who is Christ the Lord, and this shall be the sign, and this shall be the sign. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold Him, born the King of angels. Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!
"The heavn'ly Babe you there shall find to human view displayed, all meanly wrapt in swathing bands and in a manger laid. All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace: good will henceforth from heav'n to men begin and never cease! Begin and never cease!"
[The shepherds] looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them far; and by the light of that same star, three wisemen came from country far, to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. [The shepherds] leaving resting flocks behind them, sought they for the stall, where there lay, in swaddling garments, Christ, the hope of all. This star drew nigh to the northwest, o'er Bethlehem it took its rest; and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. Why lies He in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear for sinners here, the silent Word is pleading.
There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky! There's a mother's deep prayer, and a baby's low cry! And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King! Joy to the world! the Lord is come! Christ, by highest heav'n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold Him come, offspring of a virgin's womb. 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. There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth, for the Virgin's sweet boy is the Lord of the earth.
As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold, as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright. As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed, there to bend the knee before Him whom heav'n and earth adore. Then entered in those wisemen three, full rev'rently upon their knee, and offered there, in His presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense. As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare, so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin's alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heav'nly King.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come, rich and poor, to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him. Let us, like the lowly shepherds, seek the Lord this night, that we may, by lives of service, bring to all true light.
