The Songs Tell the Story: A Family Advent DevotionalSample

The Song about Being Born and Born Again

Some people date “Good Christian Men Rejoice” all the way back to the fourteenth century. During that period of history, there were a lot of people who were unable to read. Only the wealthy could afford an education. Almost no one had a Bible in their home, and there were no radios, newspapers, or televisions!

Most of the time, preachers traveled from place to place to preach. Only the big cities had sermons or lessons each week. So, the churches found different ways for people to learn about God. They made stained glass windows that visually told a story from the Bible. They painted pictures that reminded people of biblical characters and stories. They taught people to sing hymns so they could learn and remember important truths from the Bible.

Whoever wrote “Good Christian Men Rejoice” wanted the people to sing about Christmas and rejoice. The author wanted people to know that Jesus was laid in a manger and that all of creation was supposed to “bow” before the baby who was also God’s Son, a King. The author of the hymn wanted people to know that Christmas was about the fact that “Christ is born today.”

Why today?

Every day, when someone becomes a Christian, they are “born again.” Christ is “born” in their lives. The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

How is someone born again?

Romans 10:9 answers that question: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

I hope you and everyone in your family and circle of friends have been “born again.” But, chances are, there is still someone you know who needs to choose to confess Jesus as Lord and believe that truth with their whole heart. If someone came to your mind when you read those words, pray for them.

Maybe this will be the first Christmas he or she will celebrate as a “born-again believer” with Christ as their Lord.

That would be a great reason for good Christians—and Christ—to rejoice today.