“Come on in, we have a place for you.” Doesn’t it feel good to be welcomed, to a friend’s home or family gathering? Especially at church, it’s great to feel like you fit in. I am thankful the church I attend is a godly, friendly church. It’s wonderful to congratulate and assimilate visitors, guests and new people. I think of the Christmas hymn,
as a song to welcome those who are regular attenders. This song is also a universal favorite, it’s catchy tune plays as a regular feature on my Christmas rotation. First sung in Catholic churches, recent research has revealed manuscripts written as early as 1744 by Englishman John Wade.
For years, “O Come All Ye Faithful” was known as an anonymous Latin hymn. The tune named, “Adeste Fideles” is taken from the original Latin,
The Latin has now been translated into more than 100 different languages. The four stanzas include a view of the infant Jesus in the stable in Bethlehem, the angelic choir singing praise to God and praise to the Word who was with the Father in the beginning.
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Lord, let us be found among the faithful, singing your praises as we adore you, Christ the Lord.
“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 as Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10-14