Jesus's Words

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

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About the Carol

"God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" is a traditional English carol, also known as the "Tidings of Comfort and Joy."The earliest known printed date of the carol dates back to 1760, but it is believed to have existed since before the 16th century.

Lyrics Back to Top ↑

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
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which his Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly 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

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then", said the Angel
"Let nothing you affright
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in him
From Satan's power and might"

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay
They found him in a manger
Where oxen feed on hay
His Mother Mary kneeling down
Unto the Lord did pray

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

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

Analysis of Carol Back to Top ↑

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day

Christmas Day was formed based on Christ's birth. Jesus did not just happen to be born on Christmas, Jesus is the whole reason for Christmas!

To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray

True enough, as Mark records Jesus saying, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.Mark 2:17

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel

Asides from prophecy, Jesus was born in Bethlehem because Augustus wanted to tax the people. His family needed to go to Bethlehem to be properly registered.(See Luke 2:1, 4.)

This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which his Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn

Correct, Mary was thrilled to conceive Jesus. She even sang a song when she learned of that fact.(Luke 1:46-56.)

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly 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

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
"Fear not then", said the Angel
"Let nothing you affright
This day is born a Saviour

These are the two lines the angel said, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.Luke 2:10, 11

Of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in him
From Satan's power and might"

The angel did not say these lines. Besides the virgin comment, the idea that Jesus frees those who trust in him from Satan's power and might does not come from Jesus. It comes from the New Testament writers. Jesus actually says, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.Matthew 11:28, 29

He also mentioned that obtaining eternal life may cause some familial strife: Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.Mark 10:29-31

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind

A little bit of an exaggeration. We do not know the weather conditions. It is still a pleasant touch for the story.

And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay
They found him in a manger
Where oxen feed on hay
His Mother Mary kneeling down
Unto the Lord did pray

O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort
O tidings of comfort and joy

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
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