Many of our hymns and Christmas carols contain great theology. Singing them reminds us of who God is and what He has done.
God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day,
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Tidings is an old English word that means announcement, or news. We celebrate glad tidings at Christmas. Christ has come!
The news of Jesus’ arrival brings both comfort and joy. I love the “and.” Sometimes I think of God bringing comfort when life is hard and joy when things are better. But He brings comfort AND joy at the same time. We only need comfort if there is something amiss, some type of pain or distress. It is in those situations that He also gives joy. Somehow.
Comfort. There is no chaos or pain that God cannot touch. He can bring comfort into the deepest trial, anxiety or loss. There is no abyss so deep that we are beyond His reach. He came to save us from the ultimate suffering, being bound by our sin and guilt. The very news of His coming to free us brings comfort.
Joy. The announcement of our King and Savior brings joy. We will worship in His Presence, celebrate in His victory, and bask in His love. This joy that is inward, not a situational happiness, is based on His promise and can exist even in the face of needing comfort.
These tidings, this announcement that the Christ is born, is very good news. He is with us, heals our wounds, lifts us up, rescues and rejoices over us. His coming brings comfort and joy. I’m so glad for my portion of both today.
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His afflicted. Isaiah 49:13
