While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night holds a distinction in history as being the only hymn or Christmas Carol sanctioned by the church for use in a corporate setting for a number of years.
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Edmund Sears wrote these somber words in 1849, a cry for peace in a world fraught with violence and war. As we look around today, it seems like little has changed. Learn about the history and Scripture that inspired It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Before writing Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Charles Wesley noted the injustice all around him as children throughout England were exploited for cheap labor. He longed for Christ to come and make things right once more.
O Come O Come Emmanuel
O Come O Come Emmanuel is a Christmas Carol based on the O Antiphons, a tradition dating back hundreds of years focusing on the names of God. Learn the history of this classic Advent hymn.
We Praise Thee O God, Our Redeemer
This is a great, though lesser known hymn that is often overshadowed by another hymn with a very similar first line. This hymn is a great reminder of God’s faithfulness to us.
Shall We Gather at the River?
Perspective matters. In the heat and pressure of life, do we focus on the difficulty of our circumstances or keep our eyes on the refreshing waters that we can find in the gospel of grace through Jesus? The history of this special hymn inspires us to keep our eyes on the life-giving promise of Living Water.
Amazing Grace
This incredible hymn not only tells the powerful story of redemption through the gospel—it is borne of a powerful redemption story itself. No matter your past, God’s amazing grace is bigger.
It Is Well With My Soul
This is a beautiful hymn beloved by many for its strong encouragement for faithfulness. But the story behind its writing is as heartbreaking as the melody is breathtaking.
Is There a Difference Between a Hymn and a Song?
Is there a difference between a hymn and a song? Let’s take a deep dive and find out once and for all.
Explained: What is a Carol?
The term “Christmas Carol” seems to have a fairly nebulous definition. Find out what it really means to sing a carol.
Underrated Christmas Lyric: O Holy Night
On the road to Tulsa for Thanksgiving, we were listening to Christmas music, because I'm not patient enough to wait an extra day. I listen to Christmas music whenever I want. But we were listening to Pentatonix sing O Holy Night in their usual uncanny perfection, and a lyric simultaneously struck both Hailee and me speechless.