"One December evening, as their trading ship struggled to make headway across the rough Atlantic Ocean, sailors working for the American United Fruit Company would’ve been shocked to hear a new sound coming from their radio. The usual piercing beeps and dots of Morse code were instead replaced with a quiet violin playing the sweet melody of a Christmas carol, ‘O Holy Night’. This was the first radio broadcast as we know it, and it was recorded by Reginald Fessenden on Christmas Eve 1906, followed by a reading of Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”.

 

"‘Immanuel’, written by Michael Card, is packed with powerful reminders of biblical truth that can challenge, comfort and encourage us.

 

It begins with the prophecy that we read in Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Throughout the song we are reminded, “Immanuel, Our God is with us, and if God is with us, who could stand against us”, which are words found in Romans 8:31. If we pause and fully absorb the meaning of what we are singing, it gives great comfort to know that - if we have accepted God as our Lord and Saviour - God is with us, He is on our side, no matter what we face or who we come up against.

 

'“Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King.” These words echo throughout churches and beyond during the advent season.

 

This well-known carol was written by Isaac Watts. It is based on Psalm 98, which is all about singing to the Lord because He has done marvellous things for us. Therefore, our response is to be one of joy.

 

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.3 – No.3 – Joy to the World

"The Carol of the bells is a well-known and much loved piece of music (particularly famous for featuring in the classic Christmas movie, ‘Home Alone’). The carol is based upon the original Ukrainian folk chant, ‘Shchedryk’, and the lyrics were written by Peter J. Wilhousky in 1936.

 

The lyrics of the song are all about the arrival of Christmas and the bringing of good cheer to ‘young and old, meek and bold’. Despite its haunting sound, this song reminds us of the joy of spending time with loved ones and celebrating together at the end of a hard year. Christmas is meant to be a time of glad-tidings and cheer for all. Of course, as Christians, we know that our joy is not reserved to one day of the year but rather that we celebrate Jesus Christ all year round and rejoice in the hope that is found in Him.

 

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.4 – Carol of the Bells