I have heard Christmas carols for my entire life. The air turns chilly, lights are hung from gutters, and a catalog of songs begin playing on the radio to welcome the most wonderful time of the year.

But, if I’m being honest, I would sing these Christmas carols without really thinking of the words. They were the songs of the season so I sang along.

This year, I have been more aware of the words to these carols I’m singing and I’m realizing more and more just how poignant these words ring out through time. One refrain from a carol predating the 1650s with no known composer has been stuck in my mind on repeat:

“O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.”

This refrain comes at the end of every verse in the popular Christmas carol, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”, opens with a reminder of Christ’s coming and later details the events of Luke 2:8-21 where the shepherds are told of the birth of Jesus. But why does this song continually remind the listener that these are “tidings of comfort and joy”? And why do they say it three times in each stanza?

As I pondered this, I was reminded of the words of the Angel in Luke 2:10:

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

-Luke 2:10 (emphasis added)

If I were in the shepherds shoes, I also would have probably been freaked out by a heavenly event like the one described in this passage of scripture. So, what are the first words the Angel says?

“Do not be afraid”

Not “pay attention” or “get it together”, but a reassurance of comfort. It follows throughout Jesus’ life and ministry that He continually preached a message of love and reassurance. The only times Jesus demonstrated anger or frustration was when people who claimed to be “godly” were using the name of the Lord for profit and personal gain. He is the Mighty God as said in Isaiah 9:6, but the first title He is given in this passage of scripture is Wonderful Counselor.

From the moment Jesus’ arrival is announced, the message is clear: Christ has come so that we may know Him personally. He meets us where we are and loves us for who we are.

And now here is the final stanza of, “God Res Ye Merry, Gentlemen” which is not as popular, but just as important:

“Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.”

In this world, there are so many things that may create in us a sense of hopelessness, but the message of this carol, and thus the message of the gospel, is plain. If we are truly walking in the light of Christ and living out His calling in our lives, then we will show love and comfort to everyone we encounter because that is what He has done for us.

Christ brings hope. His peace is beyond understanding, His love is unending, and His joy brings us comfort in every season, but especially in this one. What a tiding of comfort and joy that truth is.