6 Lines from Christmas Carols that Will Prepare Your Heart for the Season

1. "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep." (I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day)

When famous writer and poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the lyrics to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," the idea of peace on Earth seemed like false hope. The Civil War was raging. The nation was falling apart at the seams. Countless people were dying. They were dark times. And, yet, this message cuts through like a knife. God's not dead. He's not asleep at the wheel. His plan, represented in the birth of Christ, is to restore the relationship between God and man.

2. "Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;" (O Holy Night)

"O Holy Night" is one of the most powerful and beloved of all the Christmas carols, and its words came from the most unlikely of sources. It was written in 1847 by a French poet named Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure. He wasn't known for writing Christian poetry or hymns, to say the least. Regardless, he was asked to write a poem for Christmas mass. Inspired by the Gospel of Luke, he penned these now-famous words.

Many of the lyrics of this classic hymn could be added to this short list, but it's hard not to be moved by language such as "the soul felt its worth" and a "thrill of hope." Our world certainly feels weary today - we desperately need the reminder that our souls are so valuable that God came to dwell with us. That fact gives us hope for a "new and glorious morn."

On Christmas Eve of 1906, "O Holy Night" became the first song played over radio airwaves. And, it's been tuning hearts to the Lord ever since.

3. "Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. O come, let us adore Him." ("O Come All Ye Faithful")

"O Come All Ye Faithful," an adaptation of the Latin hymn "Adeste Fidelis," takes us back to the biblical account of the shepherds. We get to experience Christmas from their vantage point. This new baby, "born the King of the Angels," is worthy of our adoration. The Bible says that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). He came, in the flesh, to dwell with man, fulfill the prophecy, and ultimately lay down His life to pay our sin debt. O come, let us adore Him, indeed. He is worthy of it.

4. "Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth." ("Hark! The Herald Angels Sing")

Methodist leader Charles Wesley (his brother John founded the Methodist church) was no stranger to writing hymns. In fact, in his lifetime, he wrote more than any other man, penning the lyrics to more than 6,000 poems, songs, and hymns.

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is full of theology. But, it's the third stanza that always strikes me. The fact that Jesus chose to humble himself by becoming like us, all to allow us to spend eternity in His presence in Heaven. It's incredible to think about. "Glory to the newborn King!"

5. "O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high, And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight." ("O Come O Come Immanuel")

This hymn is another from which I could draw several phrases or lines for this list. This is such a powerful song with words inspired by Scripture. John the Baptist's father, Zacharias, has this prophecy about Jesus: "Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us" (Luke 1:78, New King James).

Jesus is the "Dayspring" – a new day! No longer does man have to try to cover his own sin in vain. Through Jesus's death on the cross and resurrection, we too can have victory over death. We can have assurance in our eternal salvation. Immanuel has come; the Light has come! He has drawn near to us, and that is something to cheer our souls.

6. "Let every heart, prepare Him room." ("Joy to the World")

One of the most famous Christmas carols of all time, written by hymn writer Isaac Watts in 1719, wasn't even supposed to be a Christmas song? In fact, there's not much about it that's "Christmasy." It's based on Psalm 98, and Watts intended it to simply be an expression of Jesus as King – King over all Earth and nature, and King over us.

Today, we sing this song to express the joy of the season. We sing as a reminder of who Jesus is. Every time I sing this song, my mind comes back to this line: "Prepare Him room." It serves as a reminder of our need to make Jesus the Lord of our lives. But, it's also a seasonal reminder not to let the busyness of Christmas crowd out its true meaning. We need to prepare Him room in our lives and hearts every day. It's easy to sing the songs, celebrate the season, and yet completely miss it all. God, don't let that be me. Make room in my heart for You.

Brent Rinehart is a public relations practitioner and freelance writer. He blogs about the amazing things parenting teaches us about life, work, faith and more at www.apparentstuff.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at @brentrinehart