“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” –Luke 2:10-11
Introduction
Our reflection last week on the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols took us on a journey through scripture and song, exploring God’s redemptive plan from the Fall of Humanity to the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth. Each lesson and carol brought us closer to understanding the depth of God’s love and the fulfillment of His promises.
In this second part, we now celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ—the Saviour of the world. Through the scriptures, we witness the humble circumstances of His coming, the proclamation of His birth to shepherds, and the worship offered to Him by wise men. The carols that accompany these sacred moments echo the wonder and majesty of the Incarnation, reminding us that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
- The Birth of Jesus Proclaimed
Luke 2:1-7 – The narrative of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem and Jesus being born in a manger.
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
- Carol: “Away in a Manger”
- The Shepherds Hear the Good News
Luke 2:8-16 – An angel announces the birth of the Savior to shepherds, who visit the manger and glorify God.
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
- Carol: “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”
- The Wise Men Seek the King
Matthew 2:1-12 – The magi follow the star to find Jesus, offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- Carol: “We Three Kings”
- The Word Became Flesh
John 1:1-14 – The glorious prologue to John’s Gospel, declaring Jesus as the Word who became flesh to dwell among us.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Carol: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Why It Matters Today
In a world often distracted by the commercialism of Christmas, the Festival Of Nine Lessons and Carols serves as a powerful reminder of the season’s true meaning. It invites us to pause and focus on the greatest gift ever given: Jesus Christ.
As we sing the carols and listen to the lessons, we are drawn into the story of God’s love—a story that began in the Garden of Eden and culminates in the manger at Bethlehem. It’s a story that continues to transform lives today.
Conclusion
The Nine Lessons of Carols offers a profound way to experience the joy, hope, and peace of Christmas. It reminds us of God’s plan for salvation and invites us to respond with worship and gratitude. This Christmas, may we allow the lessons to deepen our understanding of God’s love and let the carols fill our hearts with the true joy of the season.
Let us sing with the angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).
Remain Blessed!
Please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays 5.30 am., Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays 5:30 am; and YFM 107.9 – Sundays 6.30am; for our Radio Bible Study as well as Sunny FM 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm. for Hymn and their Stories.