God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
christmas songs /Hillsong/ Lyrics
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Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
From God our heav'nly Father
A blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The son of God by name
Now, to the Lord sing praises
All ye within this place
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas
All others doth deface
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is a classic Christmas carol that reminds the world to rejoice and take comfort in the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics of this song, written in the 15th century, emphasizes the joy, love and hope that the birth of Jesus Christ brings to humanity. The song starts with reassuring lyrics, “God rest ye merry gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Savior, Was born on Christmas Day”.
The lyrics then emphasize that God's Son was born to save humanity from the devil's power when they had lost their way. This is a reminder to Christians that during moments of dismay, they should reflect on the everlasting hope that Christ brings. The carol then pivots to a section that emphasizes the "tidings of comfort and joy" that came from a blessed angel who told the shepherds about the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. The joyous nature of Christmas is truly embodied in these lyrics as they speak about the beauty and meaning of the festive season.
Finally, the song ends with a call to action for all those present to sing praises to the Lord and take up "true love and brotherhood" during the Christmas season. The words "Embrace this holy tide of Christmas, All others doth deface" aims to show the importance of the holiday season and how it should be celebrated with great joy and love for one another.
Line by Line Meaning
God rest ye merry gentlemen
May God give peace and happiness to you, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Do not be afraid or discouraged
Remember Christ our Savior
Recall that Jesus, our rescuer
Was born on Christmas Day
Was born on this special day of Christmas
To save us all from Satan's power
To rescue us all from the control of the devil
When we were gone astray
When we had lost our way
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
This joyful news brings us comfort and delight
Comfort and joy
May it give us both comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
This joyful news brings us comfort and delight
From God our heav'nly Father
Our Father in heaven, God Almighty
A blessed angel came
A holy angel came with blessings
And unto certain shepherds
To some shepherds in particular
Brought tidings of the same
Announcing the same joyful news
How that in Bethlehem was born
That in Bethlehem was born
The son of God by name
The Son of God, known by that name
Now, to the Lord sing praises
Sing praises to the Lord now
All ye within this place
Everyone in this place
And with true love and brotherhood
With genuine love and unity
Each other now embrace
Let us now embrace each other
This holy tide of Christmas
This sacred season of Christmas
All others doth deface
Outshines and surpasses all others
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WALTER AFANASIEFF, TRADITIONAL, MARIAH CAREY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind