Christmas songs' true message
These will be long so I'm only going to include a few, the ones that may not speak for themselves.
the christmas songs we listen to have meaning, they play over and over throughout the seasons, year after year. I have learned that the true value of any God inspired song isn't the music or the voices used to sing it but the message, the reason for God giving someone a song is to bring a message to teach us, to touch us, to fill our hearts with joy and hope... they are not purposeless...
1) 12 days if Christmas
this was in my church (pleasant view's) monthly newsletter a few years ago...
The meaning of the 12 days of Christmas,
From 1558 to 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember,
12 Days of Christmas carol
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the old and new testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
The nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping were stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
2) Come all ye faithful
I was listening to this once, and I had a thought. The song says "oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant" and of all the years listening to this song I just heard these words as they are and never meditated on who they are descriptive of, of course in this context of this song in the literal meaning it would be to the shepherds who came to Bethlehem, and anyone else to was there. Also it is a call to anyone to come behold the newborn King. As we listen now, I personally sing it as a prayer sort of saying "I want to behold the King, I am seeking Jesus and His anointing presence so I can adore Him" so in this since it is to anyone who wants to come and adore Him. The faithful, joyful and triumphant, now when we think of these things we sort of mesh them together and think of them as just us, which they are but the joyful and triumphant makes us think, often, of those with wonderful lives and no troubles and just people that are happy and triumphant. But the most important description here is "faithful" that's first, it begins with faith and faithfulness as seen throughout scripture is full of trials and tribulations, I could name several off the top of my head and several more if I were to go through and search, but anyone who knows any story from the Bible can say that there have been many faithful who have endured many things to become joyful and triumphant. The joyful part does not describe a life without trouble but joy in knowing that faithfulness pleases God and anything we do in faithfulness results in triumph in Jesus who has won the victory for us already, so we have faith in Jesus and that results in joyfulness in knowing that He makes us triumphant, and also in our suffering we know that God has purposed our steps to bring glory to His kingdom, I think mostly of Paul, who was imprisoned yet was so thankful, regardless of his circumstances, that Jesus saved Him and used him to spread the gospel. So when we hear this song, we should know that us christians are the Faithful, joyful and triumphant and that we can adore Him at christmas or anytime throughout the year.
3) Carol of the Bells
I never was very interested in this song, because I just didn't like the sound, or melody much. I just really couldn't get into it. That is until I read the history of it's origins. Read about it in this link, this is the main point:
"The driving force behind Trans-Siberian Orchestra is Paul O'Neill, the group's founder, producer, lyricist, and principal composer. In a 2003 interview with Russ Breimeier, O'Neill tells the story behind Sarajevo...
'We heard about this cello player born in Sarajevo many years ago who left when he was fairly young to go on to become a well-respected musician, playing with various symphonies throughout Europe. Many decades later, he returned to Sarajevo as an elderly man—at the height of the Bosnian War, only to find his city in complete ruins.
I think what most broke this man's heart was that the destruction was not done by some outside invader or natural disaster—it was done by his own people. At that time, Serbs were shelling Sarajevo every night. Rather than head for the bomb shelters like his family and neighbors, this man went to the town square, climbed onto a pile of rubble that had once been the fountain, took out his cello, and played Mozart and Beethoven as the city was bombed.
He came every night and began playing Christmas carols from that same spot. It was just such a powerful image—a white-haired man silhouetted against the cannon fire, playing timeless melodies to both sides of the conflict amid the rubble and devastation of the city he loves. Some time later, a reporter tracked him down to ask why he did this insanely stupid thing. The old man said that it was his way of proving that despite all evidence to the contrary, the spirit of humanity was still alive in that place.
The song basically wrapped itself around him. We used some of the oldest Christmas melodies we could find, like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells" (which is from the Ukraine, near that region). The orchestra represents one side, the rock band the other, and the single cello represents that single individual, that spark of hope."
That's why it sounds sort of hardcore.
4) Little Drummer Boy
there may not have been at actual little drummer boy, but the new born King of this song is definitely real, so lets take a look at the lyrics and try to find out if there is a message in this song.
"Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum"
we need to do this, tell people about Jesus
"Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum"
HE deserves our best offering
"To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,"
we present Him with offerings not give them because everything is already HIS, He created everything
"So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come."
He doesn't need the stuff we present Him with, like I said HE made everything, the reason for our offerings is to honor HIM
"Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum"
God gave His only begotten Son, God was made flesh, born in bethlehem
"I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum"
He was born, though a King to a poor mother and step-father, He humbled Himself from His glory in Heaven to be a poor Boy for us
"I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum"
we sometimes feel we have nothing to give
"That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,"
no matter how much we give though it's still not enough for what He deserves, He deserves more than any of us can give.
"Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?"
with nothing else, we can always praise HIM, whether it be with music, singing, or various other talents. (also remember that God gives us these talents to honor HIM with, HE'S AMAZING)
"Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum"
All of creation praises the Lord
"I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,"
we are to give our very best an offering to Jesus
So how does this perfect spotless lamb, who created the universe with HIS words react to our meager offering, usually stuff we give that's not worth a penny to anyone else?
"Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum"
the christmas songs we listen to have meaning, they play over and over throughout the seasons, year after year. I have learned that the true value of any God inspired song isn't the music or the voices used to sing it but the message, the reason for God giving someone a song is to bring a message to teach us, to touch us, to fill our hearts with joy and hope... they are not purposeless...
1) 12 days if Christmas
this was in my church (pleasant view's) monthly newsletter a few years ago...
The meaning of the 12 days of Christmas,
From 1558 to 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember,
12 Days of Christmas carol
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the old and new testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
The nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping were stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
2) Come all ye faithful
I was listening to this once, and I had a thought. The song says "oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant" and of all the years listening to this song I just heard these words as they are and never meditated on who they are descriptive of, of course in this context of this song in the literal meaning it would be to the shepherds who came to Bethlehem, and anyone else to was there. Also it is a call to anyone to come behold the newborn King. As we listen now, I personally sing it as a prayer sort of saying "I want to behold the King, I am seeking Jesus and His anointing presence so I can adore Him" so in this since it is to anyone who wants to come and adore Him. The faithful, joyful and triumphant, now when we think of these things we sort of mesh them together and think of them as just us, which they are but the joyful and triumphant makes us think, often, of those with wonderful lives and no troubles and just people that are happy and triumphant. But the most important description here is "faithful" that's first, it begins with faith and faithfulness as seen throughout scripture is full of trials and tribulations, I could name several off the top of my head and several more if I were to go through and search, but anyone who knows any story from the Bible can say that there have been many faithful who have endured many things to become joyful and triumphant. The joyful part does not describe a life without trouble but joy in knowing that faithfulness pleases God and anything we do in faithfulness results in triumph in Jesus who has won the victory for us already, so we have faith in Jesus and that results in joyfulness in knowing that He makes us triumphant, and also in our suffering we know that God has purposed our steps to bring glory to His kingdom, I think mostly of Paul, who was imprisoned yet was so thankful, regardless of his circumstances, that Jesus saved Him and used him to spread the gospel. So when we hear this song, we should know that us christians are the Faithful, joyful and triumphant and that we can adore Him at christmas or anytime throughout the year.
3) Carol of the Bells
I never was very interested in this song, because I just didn't like the sound, or melody much. I just really couldn't get into it. That is until I read the history of it's origins. Read about it in this link, this is the main point:
"The driving force behind Trans-Siberian Orchestra is Paul O'Neill, the group's founder, producer, lyricist, and principal composer. In a 2003 interview with Russ Breimeier, O'Neill tells the story behind Sarajevo...
'We heard about this cello player born in Sarajevo many years ago who left when he was fairly young to go on to become a well-respected musician, playing with various symphonies throughout Europe. Many decades later, he returned to Sarajevo as an elderly man—at the height of the Bosnian War, only to find his city in complete ruins.
I think what most broke this man's heart was that the destruction was not done by some outside invader or natural disaster—it was done by his own people. At that time, Serbs were shelling Sarajevo every night. Rather than head for the bomb shelters like his family and neighbors, this man went to the town square, climbed onto a pile of rubble that had once been the fountain, took out his cello, and played Mozart and Beethoven as the city was bombed.
He came every night and began playing Christmas carols from that same spot. It was just such a powerful image—a white-haired man silhouetted against the cannon fire, playing timeless melodies to both sides of the conflict amid the rubble and devastation of the city he loves. Some time later, a reporter tracked him down to ask why he did this insanely stupid thing. The old man said that it was his way of proving that despite all evidence to the contrary, the spirit of humanity was still alive in that place.
The song basically wrapped itself around him. We used some of the oldest Christmas melodies we could find, like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells" (which is from the Ukraine, near that region). The orchestra represents one side, the rock band the other, and the single cello represents that single individual, that spark of hope."
That's why it sounds sort of hardcore.
4) Little Drummer Boy
there may not have been at actual little drummer boy, but the new born King of this song is definitely real, so lets take a look at the lyrics and try to find out if there is a message in this song.
"Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum"
we need to do this, tell people about Jesus
"Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum"
HE deserves our best offering
"To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,"
we present Him with offerings not give them because everything is already HIS, He created everything
"So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come."
He doesn't need the stuff we present Him with, like I said HE made everything, the reason for our offerings is to honor HIM
"Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum"
God gave His only begotten Son, God was made flesh, born in bethlehem
"I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum"
He was born, though a King to a poor mother and step-father, He humbled Himself from His glory in Heaven to be a poor Boy for us
"I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum"
we sometimes feel we have nothing to give
"That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,"
no matter how much we give though it's still not enough for what He deserves, He deserves more than any of us can give.
"Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?"
with nothing else, we can always praise HIM, whether it be with music, singing, or various other talents. (also remember that God gives us these talents to honor HIM with, HE'S AMAZING)
"Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum"
All of creation praises the Lord
"I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,"
we are to give our very best an offering to Jesus
So how does this perfect spotless lamb, who created the universe with HIS words react to our meager offering, usually stuff we give that's not worth a penny to anyone else?
"Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum"
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