Go Tell It On The Mountains

-December 25, 2021-

Good morning, happy Saturday, Merry Christmas,

“Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying that was told them. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them” (Luke 2:17; Luke 2:20).

“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

Today is Christmas Day, our Savior’s birthday, a great day of celebration and joy. What a privilege it would have been to be there to witness that first Christmas! How excited we would have been! But we living today should be even more excited given what we know of Jesus and all the Scriptures in God’s Holy Word! The shepherds were limited, as were Simeon, Anna, the wisemen, and others at that time. Even the apostles did not have the all Scriptures in written form as we do today.

Jesus, our Lord and King was born in Bethlehem’s manger, lived and taught on the shores of Galilee and throughout all the land of Israel, died on Calvary’s cross, rose from Joseph’s tomb, and ascended to the highest place in heaven at the Father’s right hand. We have such a wonderful message to share with those who do now know Him! After the Day of Pentecost the apostles were filled and indwelt with the Holy Spirit; they began to boldly proclaim Christ in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Peter and John, like the shepherds at Jesus’ birth, had the holy compulsion to tell others what they had seen and heard. They were persecuted for their faith in proclaiming the gospel, which is God’s good news to all the world. They were beaten, imprisoned, and put to death for speaking of Jesus. Acts 5:41-42 says, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Are we willing to do likewise: to suffer shame for His name and never cease to spread His message to a lost and dying world?

This beautiful hymn, “Go Tell It On The Mountains,” was written by John W. York, and has been an a source of great joy and inspiration over the years. It was one of the negro spirituals that have added so much benefit to all believers. The words of this song are such a blessing as we consider who Jesus was and is, and what He has done for us. The chorus, that comes at the beginning of the verses inspires us to take His message, share it, and spread far and wide.

“While shepherds kept their watching, o’er silent flocks that night, behold throughout the heavens there shone a heavenly light. The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and brought us God’s salvation that blessed Christmas morn.” The chorus challenges and inspires us to, “Go tell it on the mountains, over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountains that Jesus Christ is born.”

We love Christmas, the miracle of Jesus’ virgin birth, the celebration of His grace, truth, and salvation; but it did not stop there. He loved us so much as to take our place on the cross and die for our sins, and rise from the dead for our justification. How blessed and privileged we are to share the good news, live for Him, and serve Him. Let us go tell it on the mountains, wherever we go, to whomever we meet, in His name and by His grace.

Have a Merry and blessed Christmas Day basking in the sunshine of God’s grace and sharing His story. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean