Christmas carols are some of the best-known hymns of the Christian church. They are greatly loved by countless people in Australia. Every year, beginning some time in November and right up to the end of December, Christmas carols will be sung by groups or individuals and/or played on musical instruments.

Here in Perth, one notable event in the month of December is “Carols by Candlelight,” which is organized by some church groups to celebrate the birth of Christ. As the name indicates, it is a wonderful time to remember the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and praise Him Who is the Light of the World. Rejoice, for God has sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world! The angel had announced, “Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. Indeed, those who believe in Jesus must shine for Him and be lights in this dark world. They must proclaim the Gospel and evangelize lost souls.

In our Bible-Presbyterian Fellowship, during the month of December, we sing the Christmas carols in the worship services and in our fellowship meetings. We will have a worship service on Christmas Day in which Rev. Edward Paauwe will be preaching, and the youths will sing a hymn of praise. The Sunday School children will present a special song on the Lord’s day. The Junior Fellowship will be devoting their singspiration time to the singing and learning of Christmas carols. One of the young ones has requested to learn, “The Birthday of the King.” The faith of the Juniors will be built up by the learning and singing of the words of Scripture and the Gospel message in the Christmas carols. Each child has a copy of A Classic Christmas Caroling Songbook which has 30 well-known and favorite Christmas carols.

It is a blessing to commemorate the birth of our Saviour when we do so worshipfully and meaningfully. In the Junior Fellowship the children are taught that the birth of Christ is described in detail by the Gospel writers Matthew and Luke. The Christmas carol, “The First Noel,” portrays in vivid, narrative style the story of Jesus’ birth. They love these Bible stories, old but ever new. They know the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they are looking forward to His second coming as King of kings and Lord of lords; this is written in the last stanza of “Joy to the World!”

The Juniors also learn that the Gospel writer, John, has a Christmas message for us. In I John 5:20, John declares that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus Christ Himself is the True God and Eternal Life. This is the significance and purpose of our praising God in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, God come in the flesh, the only One Who can save us from our sins, meet our every need, and give us a home in heaven. What a glorious message of comfort, joy, hope and peace. We pray that all believers will share this Good News with the unsaved this Christmas time! “Go, Tell It on the Mountain that Jesus Christ is Born!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2:14.