Much of what we experience in Christmas is what we hear. We hear the hustle and bustle of shoppers. We hear the sounds of traffic. We hear the cash register scanners as we pay for purchases. We hear the rustle of paper as we wrap presents. We may even hear ourselves getting snippy with our family and friends as we try to get everything done.

There are other much more pleasant things to hear during the Christmas season. There are the sounds of family and friends as they gather to celebrate the season. There are excited sounds of glee from expectant children and their sweet voices as they perform their songs and plays. Then, there are the Christmas carols. I sometimes wonder if we really know what we are singing when we sing Christmas carols. Did you know that many of them mention hearing something?

The First Noel- a joyous announcement of the Savior’s birth.

Angels We Have Heard on High- it seems self-explanatory, but then it also mentions that the mountains echo in reply.

Away in the Manger- cattle lowing

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen-tidings of comfort and joy

Hark the Herald Angels Sing- angels singing, triumph of the skies, angelic host proclaim

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear- glorious songs of old, harps of gold

Joy to the World- heaven and nature sing

Silent Night- heavenly host sing, “Alleluia”

Let’s stop and listen to Christmas this year. Let’s work on understanding the carols that we sing. It will add much more meaning if we do. Just for fun, think about the carol, “Do You Hear what I Hear?”  What did they hear? If you don’t know, look it up. What’s your favorite carol? I would love to hear it. Leave a comment and tell me.

“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, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:13-14) (KJV)