As we venture on into the Advent Season , let’s stop and ponder just what those familiar Christmas carols are saying. Specifically, let’s take a look at a few that have, shall we say, peculiar expressions.

Like “Noel”:  who was Noel? The word has French and Latin roots meaning “birth,” and it came to be associated with Jesus’ birth. So “The First Noel” is simply the original Christmas event.

Or Gloria—who’s she? And what about the egg shells? Actually, “Gloria in excelsis Deo” is Latin for “Glory to God in the highest!” Meaning “May our magnificent God be honored far above everyone and everything else in all the universe!”

And what’s up with “Hark”?  It’s old English for “Pay attention!” And why hearken? Because an angel choir announces God’s plan of salvation. “Herald” angels are charged to proclaim, to broadcast the birth of the Ultimate King—the One who’d rule in power and love, the only true hope of the world. Charles Wesley is saying, “Stop your Christmas rush and listen up:  do you really grasp the wonder of Christ’s birth?” Glory to the Newborn King!

And what about “all ye faithful”? It’s a summons to believers—the “faithful”—to come into God’s presence in worship and to visualize the events at Bethlehem. It’s a call to take joy, and to see the glorious triumph of God, in the humble birth of Jesus. Don’t let life’s clutter crowd out heart-felt praise to Christ: “O come, let us adore Him!”

And what about “heav’n and nature sing”? With “Joy to the World,” Isaac Watts shows how the original Christmas had global reverbera­tions—and more:  those seemingly obscure events actually played out on a cosmic stage. The Savior’s birth was cause for joy not only for people, but also for “heaven”—that is, the vast throng of angels. Heaven can’t contain their praise (Luke 2:13). And “nature” chimes in too. Trees and hills aren’t conscious, but God made them to reflect his creative majesty; skies and stars and rivers declare his glory (Ps 19:1). The panorama of nature before us exhibits God’s eternal power and creative genius (Rom 1:20). And that’s fuel for Christmas praise:  applaud the Creator who enters his creation to save (Luke 19:10)!