Christmas Library 2021: Songs to Sing Unto The Lord

"Sing Unto The Lord", an art marker illustration card made
for a 2021 "Operation Christmas Child" Box

Every Christmas season music fills the air about bells, gifts, snowmen, and good times. However, the truest and most endearing songs are those about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Below is a list of widely known songs about the First Coming of Christ. There are too many to list from many languages and nations. The earliest date to antiquity, (actually the praises of the angels heard by the shepherds would be the first Christmas hymn). What is your favorite Christmas hymn? Is your favorite missing from this list?

The First Noel (1823)

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear (1849)

O, Little Town of Bethlehem (1867)

O, Holy Night (1847)

Hark The Herald Angel's Sing (1739)

Jesus The Light of The World (Wesley Version)

The Little Drummer Boy (1941)

We Three Kings of Orient Are (1863)

Away In A Manger (*1882)

Joy To The World (1719)

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (*1760)

Go Tell It On The Mountain (*1865)

Silent Night (1818)

O Come All Ye Faithful (*1600s - 1744)

Mary, Did You Know? (1984)

Angels We Have Heard (1862)

Do You Hear What I Hear (1962)

* - indicates one version of the song, or earliest known date. 

Christmas Library 2021: Jesus, The Light Of The World

 

A drawing given to a child as part of "Operation Christmas Child"

A favorite, but overlooked, hymn about the birth of Christ is "Jesus, The Light of the World".

One version with stanzas by Charles Wesley and a refrain George Elderkin has a first stanza that ties it to Christmas.

Hark! the herald angels sing. 

Jesus, the light of the world.

Glory to the newborn King, 

Jesus, the light of the world

The lyrics posted below come from hymntime.com. This version was written by a Mrs. James V. Coombs in 1898 and edited by William E. M. Hackleman. The first stanza is different.

 All ye saints of light proclaim,

Jesus, the light of the world;
Life and mercy in His name,
Jesus, the light of the world.

Refrain

We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light,
Come where the dew-drops of mercy are bright;
Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the light of the world.

Hear the Savior’s earnest call,
Jesus, the light of the world;
Send the Gospel truth to all,
Jesus, the light of the world.

Refrain

Why not seek Him then today,
Jesus, the light of the world;
Go with truth the narrow way,
Jesus, the light of the world.

Refrain

Come, confess Him as your king,
Jesus, the light of the world;
Then the bells of Heav’n will ring,
Jesus, the light of the world.

Refrain

Below is one rendition of the song from Gaither Music TV.

Operation Christmas Child: Collection Week 2018

It is hard to believe that it is once again collection week for Operation Christmas Child.

"Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, works with local Christians in more than 100 countries to deliver gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need. The Greatest Journey is our 12-lesson follow-up discipleship course for children who have received shoebox gifts".

My wife and I packed our first shoebox two years ago and have looked forward to doing it again ever since. Were able to send 13 overseas last year and have far surpassed that this year. It gives us a lot of joy knowing that these packages can bring joy and hope to a small child and lead them to Christ.

National Collection Week is HERE and I want to encourage you to find a local packing center so you can touch the life of a child!

The following images are from the Operation Christmas Child website.

Shoebox Distribution in Moldova 

Shoebox Distribution in Zambia 

By Camel in Namibia 

Collection Center