5 Christmas Carols That Inspire Us to Worship All Year Long

This carol was first published by clergyman Isaac Watts in 1719. I hear the lyrics, based on Psalm 98, as a call to rejoice in the meaning of both the birth and death of Jesus. And the verses highlight reasons we have to be glad all year round.

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come!”

“Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!”

“He rules the world with truth and grace!”

“He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found”

Joy in the Lord is a wonderful theme of many Psalms:

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King” (Psalm 98:4-6).

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad” (Psalm 118:22-24).

“Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:10-11).

“Joy to the World” reminds the world of The Lord’s goodness - and my response is to give Him thanks and praise every day.

Click here to listen to “Joy to the World.”

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John Henry Hopkins wrote this song around 1857. The verses describe the long journey these wise men took in Matthew 2. And along with three material gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, the magi also brought their worship to Jesus. I like to think that the way they gave their hearts must have greatly pleased Him as well.

“Gold I bring to crown him again”

“Frankincense to offer have I”

“Myrrh is mine”

“Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies.”

The Apostle Paul touched on the idea of dedicating our whole selves to the Lord:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).

“Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness” (Romans 6:13).

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

“We Three Kings” tells of a Messiah who is worthy of our devotion - and my response is to commit my heart, mind and body to Him again and again.

Click here to listen to “We Three Kings.”

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This carol, written in America during the 1800s, has become one of the most beloved songs of the season. The last stanza is a simple but very meaningful prayer: a plea for Jesus to stay close, to take care of our needs in this life, and to bring us into His presence for an eternal future. It always humbles my spirit to think that The Lord wants to care for me so completely.

“I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.”

In the Gospels, Jesus calls us to lift up our requests, and even demonstrates how:

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).

“‘So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened’” (Luke 11:9-10).

“‘This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’” (Matthew 6:9-13).

“Away in a Manger” teaches us that we can rest in Jesus’s care - and my response is trust and lean on Him more and more.

Click here to listen to “Away in a Manger."

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“Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, All is bright

Round yon virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant, so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace”

Perhaps the best-known and most-sung carol of all time was written by Joseph Mohr, a young priest in Austria, in 1816. Whenever I hear it, the image of the manger where our Savior Jesus was born comes to mind - dirty and cold, yet still full of life and light. The enormity of that moment, and what He did afterwards for us, continues to amaze me.

In Old Testament books, authors such as Moses, Habakkuk, and the Psalmists, among others, express their wonder of the Lord, and bow down before Him:

“Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11).

“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes” (Deuteronomy 10:17).

“My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws” (Psalm 119:120).

“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord” (Habakkuk 3:2).

“Silent Night” shows us the first moments of our Savior’s life on Earth - and my response is to keep a sense of wonder about His coming tucked in my heart all the time.

Click here to listen to “Silent Night.”

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The verses of this English carol, whose words were composed in the 15th century, tell how heavenly beings and mankind reacted to the Messiah's birth. Angels proclaimed it, shepherds marveled over it, and wise men traveled to witness it. For me, the refrain stirs up a desire to share the great news of Jesus like the angels did.

"Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel!”

The Apostles considered telling the good news of Jesus, whether through teaching or testimonies, as an integral part of worship:

“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard…” (1 John 1:2).

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

“The First Noel” announces the coming of our Lord - and my response is to look for opportunities to tell others about His story, and what He’s done in my life.

Click here to listen to “The First Noel.”

A former Pastor of mine gave a sermon based on “O Come All Ye Faithful” for one summer Sunday. That choice might have puzzled some, but I found it quite meaningful. For his message reminded me that jubilant worship isn’t meant just for one season, but every day.

“O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.”

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