Go Tell It On the Mountain
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This Sunday:
Series Jams:
This week, we're singing "Go Tell It on the Mountain," which is traditionally not sung until after Christmas, as we celebrate Christ's birth has happened. This beloved song is an African American spiritual, dated to the 19th century. We cannot trace it's true beginning, because it was orally passed down, but in the early 20th century, John Wesley Work Jr., an African American composer, published the hymn in his book Folk Songs of the American Negro.
Chorus: “Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born!”
- Isaiah 52:7 (NLT): “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!”
- This prophecy connects to proclaiming the “good news” of Christ’s birth and salvation to all nations.
Verse 1: “While shepherds kept their watching, O’er silent flocks by night, Behold, throughout the heavens, There shone a holy light.”
- Luke 2:9 (NLT): “Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified.”
- The verse reflects the moment when the shepherds saw the heavenly light and heard the angel’s message.
- The verse reflects the moment when the shepherds saw the heavenly light and heard the angel’s message.
Verse 2: “The shepherds feared and trembled, When lo! Above the earth, Rang out the angel chorus, That hailed our Savior’s birth.”
- Luke 2:13-14 (NLT): “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’”
- The angelic chorus is beautifully captured here as a celebration of Christ’s birth.
Verse 3: “Down in a lowly manger, The humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation, That blessed Christmas morn.”
- Luke 2:11-12 (NLT): “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
- This verse celebrates the humility of Christ’s birth and its purpose: the salvation of humanity.
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