A constant theme of the traditional Christmas Carols is the joyous news. How can men of good will be in a state of depression, when the news of “peace on earth and good will towards men” has been broadcast by angels?

Are not angels still “bending near the earth” to communicate with men on clear nights, when their thoughts are directed above instead of below? Our concentration should be on eternal matters, especially during this season of Advent.

The peace that the angels proclaimed does not mainly speak of a lack of strife between nations but it sings of an inner peace within the hearts and minds of the faithful. There is little that we as individuals can do to stop nations at war. But we do have the choice of striving to make peace with those within our family, social and business circles.

On a clear night as you lay your head in “solemn stillness,” remember that to hear the joyful song and to be jubilant we need to also be solemn, serious, and in earnest. In the midst of our joy over our salvation, the blessed will mourn over the lost state of a Christ rejecting world. But it will be a comforting joy, found on the hope of Christ’s second advent.

The joy of the Lord is not light or frivolous, but a state of mind of gladness and blessedness.

Hearken unto the voice of your conscience. Is there anyone against whom you have ill will? If so, the unforgiving spirit can rob you of your joy and peace.

Are you warring against the convicting power of the Holy Ghost? Surrender to him now! He is a “all gracious King.”

Finally, at Jesus second coming, he will bring peace between the nations and the “whole world will send back the song, which now the angles sing.”

Gladly, we do not have to wait until an obscure future date. Sing now! Get out your old hymnal and sing back, this glorious song of old. Sing it over and over until you are refreshed from your state of gloom.

Alas, I know of no new song that comes close to capturing the glory that is Christmas as “It Came Upon The Midnight Clear,” written 169 years ago.

In 1739, Charles Wesley published the hymn, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing!” One verse of the carol says, “Joyful all ye nations rise.” Nations rise and fall according to what they do with the gospel, which the angels heralded.

America joyfully rose out of the darkness of heathenism to become the mightiest nation ever, because of men, who first gave “glory unto the new born king,” instead of temporal kings.

Some call into question America’s Christian heritage, because they primarily associate our founders with political and secular fathers like Franklin, Washington and Jefferson, instead of men of great faith, like Methodist preacher, George Whitfield. He came to America from England in 1740 and preached up and down the colonies and became a leading light of the First Great Awakening.

Whitefield’s popular hymn book, A Collection of Hymns for Social Worship (1753), which went through dozens of editions, included, “Hark the Herald Angels sing. Whitfield and his travelling companions were known for singing on public roads as they journeyed from town to before the Revolution.

The father of American Methodism, Francis Asbury, was commissioned to America by John Wesley in 1771. After the Revolution, he became known as “the prophet of the long road.” On horseback he rode the circuit up and down the newly formed states with the Bible in one hand and the hymns of Charles Wesley on his tongue, including “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” He established Methodist churches, which were instrumental in making America great in the first place. Asbury was one of the leaders of the Second Great Awakening.

Other evangelical preachers, many of whom like Whitfield and Asbury preached outside, were instrumental in laying the Christian foundation of America. They are rarely given the credit they deserve as founding fathers. Certainly, they were not Deists. Whitfield and Asbury were two of the best-known men of their times. Whitfield reached celebrity status.

“Hark! The herald angels sing.” Hark means to listen carefully. It is a strong word that we rarely here anymore. Herald angels are messenger angels. Herald is another word, which has fallen out of popular usage with the demise of city newspapers. Today, the favorite media term is breaking news.

The publishing angels proclaimed the birth of the new born king, which is the most important event of history; it was an announcement of peace to a world in strife, a promise of tender mercies to minds tormented with guilt.

“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” —2 Cor 5:19

With the herald angels, disciples of Christ are commanded to preach the message of reconciliation between God and sinners; whereby sinners are transformed into saints.

This hymn is more than a Christmas Carol; it is an Easter hymn; it heralds, “Christ has risen with healing in his wings!” When men make peace with God through repentance and faith in his death and resurrection, distressed minds become serene.

Few heard the multitude of the heavenly host singing that night, because few were carefully listening. Anxious souls, hearken to those that Herald the truth, then your mind will experience a tranquility, which no medication can provide.

“Join the triumph of the skies.” Hark and Sing your way to a perfect peace this Christmas season, mediate and pray over the words you are singing. Then tell the world, that “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark, then herald the good news!

Before the faithful go into all the world to preach the gospel, we must first come to Bethlehem to adore or worship the Incarnate Christ, the Babe, born this happy morning.

Babies are weak and dependent creatures. Isn’t it astounding that our Savior is represented first as a child in a manger, born in obscurity? Lastly, we see him apparently in defeat, weakly hanging from a wooden cross on a mount for every eye to see.

God said to Paul in his suffering, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”–2 Cor 12:9.

The world wants power to escape weakness in ease and comfort, but the faithful are offered power to endure weakness in love and hope. Jesus ultimately triumph over suffering and death, when he rose from the dead on the third day.

For good mental health we cannot give into our fears and anxieties, or even necessarily count on God in this life-time to deliver us from terrible trials and distresses. The faithful should glory and be take pleasure in their infirmities, knowing God’s grace is sufficient to carry us through the difficulties and disappointments of life.

This Christmas morning join the choir of angles and the church triumphant in singing, “Glory to God, Glory in the highest.” Especially those that may be depressed, “sing in exaltation.”

Sing, sing, sing, until you have the victory!

With the Christmas Carols, we can sing our way out of depression. This Advent season don’t allow yourself to be overcome by depression and anxiety.

This hymn dates back to at least the 16th Century:

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay;
Remember Christ, our Saviour,
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,

According to Merriam Webster, “rest” used, as a verb means “to free from anxiety or disturbance.” The definition of “dismay” is “to cause to lose courage or resolution (as because of alarm or fear).”

Satan goal is to “to kill, and to steal and to destroy” by tormenting men with “mental disorders” even to the place where they lose the will to live. Christ came into the world that “we might have life and life more abundantly.”—John 10:10

The Incarnation of Christ bodes tidings of comfort and joy. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter in times of life’s struggles and challenges; he brings joy as opposed to sorrow.

Students scorn me for suggesting one can overcome “chemical imbalances” by singing.

Well, there is something else required; you must sing from your heart (will), not simply from you mind or emotions. Simply believe!

Resolve to have peace of mind!