The songs of Christmas pronounce the very meaning, the genuine heart and the vivid story of this holy season. The carols that have grown so vibrant throughout the decades embrace the heartfelt message of Christmas in every stanza—in every melody—and in every word.

More than the food of holiday parties, the songs of this season fill all the ravenous places in humanity.

More than the lights on every home on every street, the hymns of Christmas light up the darkness with His presence.

More than the mountain of gifts under the family Christmas tree, the joyful and hopeful anthems of Advent give generously to a world awash with expectation.

"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices!"

Into our weariness came a Savior. The tired travelers of life are now rejoicing because of hope. The weary ones, the discouraged ones and the empty ones are joining the chorus of the angels because of the song that only hope sings. Do you hear the song of hope? Is hope singing in your world today?

"Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?/When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?"

Mary—the virgin who was no more than a girl herself—kissed the face of God. Oh! To be there that night when the angels sang and the shepherds danced. Oh! To watch this young mother fall in love with heaven's darling.

"Hallelujah! Oh, how the angels sang! Hallelujah! How it rang!/And the sky was bright with a holy light! 'Twas the birthday of a King!"

His birthday was a night when the darkness of a world in pain exploded with rare and glorious colors. The night Jesus was born was a night when the voices of an angelic choir roared in victory. That night!

"Oh come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee."

I am my own innkeeper, and I must decide if there is room for Him or not. Will I cast away other interests and distractions in order to make a place in my heart for Him? Or does my heart embarrassingly declare, "No Vacancy"?

And we dare not overlook this triumphant theological treatise that fills the canyons of our frightened world with joy explosive:

"Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!/Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings./Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die;/Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth;/Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, left the glory of Heaven so that you and I would not have to experience the pains of death. He was born so we could be born again. No wonder the angels sang.

My heart joins in the Christmas anthem that resounds through eternity. I can't stop singing the melodies, the lyrics and the hymns that declare Christmas.

One of the greatest miracles of Christmas is that the entire world joins in the proclamation! Christmas has a singular and dynamic song that cannot be stilled and will not be silent. Christmas awakens each one of our hearts to hope ... to joy ... and to the light of the world.

Don't let the pain of the past year silence your song or stifle your joy. The song of Christmas is a song that resounds over the mountains and the valleys of life. The anthem of this season echoes triumphantly over human pain and in spite of deep disappointment. 

The joyous carols of Christmas have the intensity it takes to boil away the distractions of the season and help us to focus anew on why He came. He came for you. He came for me.

That's what Christmas is all about. He came. 

He came so we could sing. 

He came so we could hope. 

He came so we could live. 

My deepest prayer is when you sing the songs of Christmas this year, you will be reminded of the matchless and glorious miracle of Christmas. This Baby—the little boy in the manger—changed everything for you and for me.

"What can I give Him poor as I am?/If I were a shepherd, I would bring Him a Lamb/If I were a wise man, I'd sure do my part/So what can I give Him? I'll give Him my heart

"I'll give Him my heart, Give Him my heart/What can I can give Him but all of my heart?/I'll give Him my heart, Give Him my heart/What can I give Him but all of my heart?

"What can you give Him? What can you bring?/What can you offer that's fit for a King?/Bow before Jesus that's where you can start/What can you give Him? Just Give Him your heart/Give Him your Heart! Give Him your Heart!

"What can you give Him but all of your heart?/Give Him your heart! Give Him your heart!/What can you give Him? Just give Him your heart!"

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books, including No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart and Defiant Joy! Her most recent book, Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire, was released last August. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart, won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. You can also listen to Carol's "A Jolt of Joy" program daily on the Charisma Podcast Network. Connect with Carol or inquire about her speaking to your group at justjoyministries.com.

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