Captivated by Christmas Carols

I have been captivated by the lyrics of Christmas songs - not Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls - but Christmas songs about Jesus. The Christmas season is a happy time to spend with family, a time to be filled with joy, a time to remember what we are thankful for. And I know this may go without saying, but we must, must, must remember the real reason we celebrate.

I think I'll let the lyrics of these songs speak for themselves. The word Savior appears over and over and over again. Jesus didn't come down to earth 2,000 years ago to pat us all on the back and tell us how good we are and to keep it up. He came to save sinners. He came to save humankind from the mess we are in. He came to free those enslaved to sin, to transform them to slaves of righteousness. He came to free those consumed with self, to empower them to a life abandoned of self and consumed with Him. He came to restore communion with God that was broken. He came to redeem.

"Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation,
That blessed Christmas morn" (Go Tell it on the Mountain)

"Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
Till He appeared
And the soul felt its worth" (O Holy Night)

"Silent night holy night
Son of God love's pure light
Radiant beams from the holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace" (Silent Night)

"Nails spear shall pierce Him thro'
The cross be borne for me for you
Hail hail the Word made flesh
The Babe the Son of Mary" (What Child is this?)

"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay;
Remember Christ, our Saviour,
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy." (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)

"No more will sin and sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He'll come and make the blessings flow
Far as the curse was found,
Far as the curse was found,
Far as, far as the curse was found." (Joy to the World)

"O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in;
Be born in us today!" (Oh Little Town of Bethlehem)

Hark! the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise;
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"

Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
risen with healing in His wings.
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
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King" (Hark the Herald Angels Sing)