Good Tidings We Bring

We wish you a Merry Christmas; 

We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; 
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I suppose this is the catchiest, easiest, most commonly sung Christmas carol there is!  It’s such a merry tune, and full of good will to those to whom you are singing!

Did you know that in the Bible the writers in the New Testament greeted their audience with blessings and good will?  Many times, “grace and peace” was offered as a way of introduction. (Romans 1:7)

There’s real power in singing this carol to a family, as we stand on their porch.  As we sing, we are offering good “tidings” or good “news.”  What is the good news?  That Jesus loves them and has a wonderful plan for their lives!

And we can offer this good news to the members in our own family, our friends, and even those whom we’ve yet to meet – and all of their relatives!

When you hear this tune this holiday season, join in, and realize what the lyrics are saying.  And when you see a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger, offer them something good – the love of the Father – and extend grace and peace to them and all those they love.

It’s more than a catchy tune that’s easy to memorize.  It’s truth, and when we sing in faith, a merry Christmas can be theirs, indeed!