This is day 5 of “The 12 Days Leading to Christmas.” Each day I am highlighting a Christmas hymn that is worth our listening to as Christians this Christmas season. You can read more about the goal of the series here.
Today I highlight for you “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” This hymn is attributed to several different individuals with none being certain. However, what is certain is that it was written in Latin and was translated by the Englishmen Frederick Oakeley in 1841.
This hymn strikes a beautiful balance between the divinity of Christ and the humanity of Christ. Jesus is both the king of angels and born in human flesh. He is praised by the angels, yet now is in flesh appearing. I have included the second verse which is not in most of our hymnals and renditions of this poem. It is a classic, orthodox statement of the person of Christ.
Here are the lyrics:
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
God of God, light of light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten, not created:
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
Glory to God, glory in the highest:
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Have a Listen!
Simple Piano –
Choral Arrangement –