O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

I love the traditional Christmas carols and this one is probably my favorite.  It was used in Catholic churches long before it became known to Protestants.  Today it has been translated from its original Latin, "Adeste Fidelis," into more than 100 languages and it is sung around third world at the Christmas season. The original Latin text included four stanzas, as listed below.  However, today usually just three are found in hymnbooks.  The first stanza calls us to see the infant Jesus in Bethlehem's stable.  The second verse reminds us that the Child is really God himself. In the third we are reminded of the angelic choir which appeared to the shepherds when Jesus was born.  In the fourth we are called to give glory to the One who was with the Father from the beginning of time.  There has been some uncertainty about the authorship of the words.  Originally it was listed as being written by an anonymous Latin writer, but later manuscripts seem to indicate that it was written and set to music by an English layman named John Wade.  The hymn first appeared in his collection of music that was published in England in 1751.  One hundred years later, it was translated into its present English form by an Anglican minster, Frederick Oakely, who wished to use it in his congregation.  But no matter what the true authorship may be, it is a great carol that has survived the centuries, around the world.  And it repeats the true message of Christmas, "Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"  May this be your desire and purpose this Christmas season.

(1)    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.

(2)    God of God, light of light,

Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb;

Very God, begotten, not created:

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

(3)    Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!

Glory to God in the highest:

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

(4)    Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be glory given!

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Christ the Lord.

Listen to it and sing along here.   LISTEN