Songs of the Season #7

Song of the Season #7 originally written in Latin, attributed to John Wade, an Englishman in exile from the Jacobite revolt, was initially intended to be a Catholic hymn. "Adestes Fideles" was first published in a collection known as "Cantus Diversi" in 1751 and once again in a 1760 edition of Evening Offices of a Church .

The English version, O Come All Ye Faithful, translated by Frederick Oakeley in 1841, is also known as the "Portuguese Hymn" from a performance in a Portuguese chapel in London, where the Duke of Leeds heard it and introduced it to a group of concert singers he conducted. From there it circled the globe, becoming one of our most well loved Christmas hymns.

Following is an excerpt from a reflection on the words of this much loved Christmas carol:

Pilgrimage played an important role in ancient Jewish faith, with Jews traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover each spring.... As Christians in the twenty-first century, we don't speak much of pilgrimage today. Yet, with the Christmas season, and all through the year, we're invited to take a religious journey to reflect on the miracle of God becoming man, and to recommit ourselves to following him.

During this Christmas season, many will sing the famous words of "O Come, All Ye Faithful." In churches across the globe, millions will join in the words, "O come let us adore him," celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Yet how many will really trust in Jesus and follow him day by day? How many will be faithful in every aspect of their lives? How many will adore him through their words and actions-at work, at home, on the road, and at the mall?

Indeed, how many of us will submit fully to the lordship of our Savior. We, as Christians have a responsibility to bear 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our words and our deeds are the living proof of God' love and His gift and it is our responsibility to exhibit that fully in our lives. Our complete obedience to His will is a magnificent form of adoration for the "...Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing."