Songs Of Hope - Sing We Now Of ChristmasSample

Go Tell it on the Mountain

Bring the Good News

John Wesley Work, Jr. is said to be the original composer of Go Tell it on the Mountain dating back to 1865. Further research states the song is considered to be an African-American spiritual song that was passed down orally from plantation to plantation. John had a passion for music and was inspired to collect the songs and put them together in a songbook. It has been considered a Christmas carol because the original lyrics celebrate the birth of Christ.

This song was one of my favorites growing up because our Sunday school teacher let us shout from the top of our lungs “Jesus Christ was born."

Over six years ago I found out my sister was pregnant. It would be the first grandchild of our family, so you can imagine the excitement. Nine months of anticipation wondering: what will this child be like, who will she take after, what will her name be. Then one day I got the call that she was having the baby, my niece named Aurora. I wanted to tell everyone, and I did.

Six years have gone by and I have stopped telling people about her birth. It is not “news” anymore. But I do tell them about what swimming class she is in, or recent books she has read. I tell them how she loves bigger than anyone in our family. I tell them what she is up to lately.

When we think of the birth of Jesus, sometimes because of growing up in the church, we consider it to be old news. We even sing the songs but forget the weight of the meaning behind it. But what about the things Christ has done in our life recently? What about the grace he has given us with our family, or the ways he has provided for us this week. Each thing is news worthy and we should not take it for granted.

There are people in all of our lives who have not heard that Jesus Christ was born. Imagine generations of anticipation of the birth of Christ and it finally happens. Imagine being the shepherd in the fields on an average night and an angel appears letting you know this highly anticipated event has occurred and it’s time to celebrate and tell your friends. This advent season, take time to reflect on the good news from Christ’s birth to what He has done for you lately and “go tell it on the mountain.”

Tiffany Wurdemann
Director of Student Organizations
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor