THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
“Life Ministries, whose desire is to build the Church of Christ, through an Author, Andrew Lansdown,(2000) said the following in an article about Carols:- “Christmas may not be a holy day for many people in our society but most people are happy to observe it as a holiday. Most people do not know much about the meaning of Christmas as compared to their knowledge of the traditional songs of Christmas
refered to as “carols”
The music and lyrics of many Christmas carols are strikingly beautiful. Today they are probably the only Christian songs that are known and even loved by people in the wider community. In one way or another, carols tell and celebrate the story of Christmas, which is the true story of the miraculous birth of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, in Palestine 2,000 years ago.
Some carols combine simple, narrative facts with insightful, theological truths, indeed they describe the account of Jesus’ birth and relate the significance of it as well. One such carol is “Hark! the herald angels sing”. Originally written by Charles Wesley over 260 years ago, this carol (now somewhat altered) has become a favourite among Christians and non-Christians alike.
As we reflect on Christmas through the Carols, we realise that the salvation that Jesus won for us is likened to a “second birth” because it involves a whole new life-principle, a radical change in perspective and desire. Jesus himself said, “You must be born again” (John 3:7). This new birth, requires the miraculous intervention of the Spirit of God, who intervenes to bring about this second birth whenever a person humbly believes in Jesus. New life and eternal life are promised to all who trust in Jesus—who is both Man and God, who is both Sacrifice and Saviour, the
one who is celebrated in the Christmas carol ‘Hark! the herald angels sing’!”
The main purpose of Carols from the message above is meditation on Christ who came to save us from sin. In relation to our main text, (Luke 1:31-33),the emphasis is that Jesus brought salvation.In this state our inner eyes are opened to see Christ as the righteous King who rules forever. He becomes the Lord. Allowing Him in our lives makes the sinful nature to bow before Him and opens heavenly blessings, tagged as life in abudance (John 10:10). Christ is able to set us free from any plans of the devil and lead us in God’s remption, from this Christmas season onwards. Have you welcomed Christ in your heart? If not so, please do it in this carol service.If you are born again, please join me to use this service to grow stronger in union with God, through expression of your fresh rededication to our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas!
The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye,
Provost, All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala.