I often find myself thinking about the words of songs and hymns. I love everything from historic hymns to modern day praise anthems that speak Scriptural truth. I take comfort in knowing that songs often speak to hearts in ways that words alone cannot. When the lyrics point people to Christ, His payment for sin and His victory over death that He offers to all people, that reinforces the truth of God’s Word for individuals in a powerful way.

Having said that, I want to share some hymns and songs with you in the days ahead to aid your preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth. Some of these will be ones I grew up singing from a hymnal published 80 years ago. Others will be much newer. But they all remind us of God’s gift of a Savior that we all desperately need.

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings from the King of Kings.

Then cleansed be every Christian breast And furnished for so great a Guest.
Yea, let us each our hearts prepare For Christ to come and enter there.

For Thou art our Salvation, Lord, Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace our souls must fade And wither like a flower decayed.

Lay on the sick Thy healing hand And make the fallen strong to stand;
Show us the glory of Thy face Till beauty springs in every place.

All praise, eternal Son, to Thee Whose advent sets Thy people free,
Whom, with the Father, we adore And Holy Ghost forevermore.

The Lutheran Hymnal, #63

John told people that the Messiah was coming, and they needed to get ready. They needed to welcome Him into their hearts. Why? Because He brought the grace of God, our salvation, without which we would wither and die forever. When this Guest, this Refuge, came into the world, it was for the purpose of earning our forgiveness. He did that on the cross. He paid for the sins of the world. And that is why He is worthy of all praise. His Advent, His coming, it what sets us free.