Today we performed our Christmas Cantata at church. It was lovely and full of joy and praise and wonder and thanks. I just had the best time. I love to sing.

As a chorus/choir participant almost all my life, I am well-versed in singing Christmas carols out of season. We start rehearsals for Christmas concerts in September!

So in true stream of consciousness, Marla fashion, I started thinking about what makes a Christmas carol a Christmas carol. Honestly, alot of Christmas carols could be anytime hymns! As I listened to Celine Dion’s recording of “O Come all ye Faithful” this morning on my way to church, I couldn’t help but wonder, why we don’t sing this hymn during other times of the liturgical calendar? It is clearly not only about Christmas.

Adeste fideles, Latin for “O come faithful ones” could easily be invoked at any time. In fact, according to hymary.org, the authorship and actual date of writing for “Adeste Fideles” (O Come All Ye Faithful) is unknown. (https://hymnary.org/text/o_come_all_ye_faithful_joyful_and_triump)

Verse One,

O come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant.

O Come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, born the King of angels. Oh come let us adore him Christ the Lord.

Is this not a call to worship? It could so easily be a call to worship on any Sunday morning.

Verse Two,

God of God, Light of Light,
lo, He abhors not the virgin’s womb; very God, begotten not created. Oh come let us adore him.

Yes this is about the virgin birth, but it’s also about God choosing to come among us to bring forth his light.

Verse Three,

Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation; sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! 
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!

This verse is about communcating with the Lord. Singing is an expression of praise, prayer, joy, lament, and every feeling in between. And angels are among us all the time. They appear numerous times in the Bible—not only at Christmastime.

Verse Four,

Yeah Lord we greet thee, On this happy morning. Jesus to thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing. O Come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

You could make a case for “O Come all ye Faithful” to be an Easter hymn. We, the faithful, have come full circle experiencing the birth, life, death, and ressurection of Jesus.

We are so ingrained to think of “O Come all ye Faithful” as a Christmas hymn, but imagine if it wasn’t. What an amazing promise-filled song. It is a call to worship. It is a promise to the faithful. It is a command to praise and adore the promise of God.

I might have “O Come All Ye Faithful” sung at my funeral! I envision myself entering heaven to this beautiful hymn. There I am with all the angels and they are singing for me and my heart is overcome with the joy of promises fulfilled—and finally understood. Sing it at my funeral y’all. I want everyone there to share in my joy. No tears for me, I’m singing with the angels.

So on this second Sunday of Advent (between the candles of Love and Joy), we the faithful, express our hope through Adoration.

Ever on the journey. Love Y’all, Marla