GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

 

When I read the account of the birth of Jesus Christ in Luke 2:15-17, the Christmas carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" comes to mind. The lyrics of this song recount the entire narrative of the angels' appearance to the shepherds and their subsequent journey to Bethlehem, and then finding Mary, Joseph, and the baby in the manger. But did you know the song “Go Tell It on the Mountain” is another well-known and beloved song that describes the shepherds' decision to go to Bethlehem and what they did after seeing the Christ child. The song, although listed as a negro spiritual, represents just one of the countless contributions made to American music by enslaved people. This song represents a passion for life and living despite the suffering, humiliation, and unimaginable cruelty of slavery. Although the creators of spirituals will forever remain anonymous, the Work family and the Fisk University Jubilee Singers have played an important role in preserving and popularizing this uniquely American genre of music.

Luke 2:17 details how the shepherds "made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child" after they had seen him. Because most slaves were uneducated, these songs were passed along through a vibrant and rich oral tradition and were eventually captured and written down by one special American family. Not long after the Civil War, John Wesley Work, a Black choir director in Nashville, Tennessee, began a mission to write down melodies and lyrics of these well-known songs, often traveling hundreds of miles to seek former slaves who had sung this and other songs while they labored. These men and women reflect the shepherds' actions in sharing the good news after their visit, which is a key part of the passage.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:9, 10.

Through the years, the 25th of December has long been commemorated as the day of Jesus’ birth, and ... it is not my purpose to affirm or question the propriety of celebrating this event on this day, but to dwell upon the childhood and life of our Saviour. It is my purpose to call the attention of all to the humble manner in which the Redeemer came to the world.

All heaven was interested in the great event of Christ’s advent to earth. Heavenly messengers came to make known the birth of the long-promised, long-expected Saviour to the humble shepherds who were watching their flocks by night on the plains of Bethlehem. The first manifestation that attracted the notice of the shepherds at the birth of the Saviour, was a radiant light in the starry heavens, which filled them with wonder and admiration.... The astonished shepherds could scarcely comprehend the precious message borne to them by the angels, and when the radiant light had passed away, they said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child” Luke 2:15-17.

What matchless love God has manifested for a fallen world! If angels sang because the Saviour was born in Bethlehem, shall not our hearts echo the glad strain today, Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, goodwill to men? Although we do not know the exact day of Christ’s birth, we would honor the sacred event. May the Lord forbid that anyone should be so narrow-minded as to overlook the event because there is an uncertainty regarding the exact time. On the other hand:

1.     Let us do what we can to fasten our minds upon those things which are precious to everyone who loves God.

2.     Let us take a few moments during this season to read how Jesus came into the world to bring hope, comfort, peace, and happiness to all.

3.     Let the hearts of all respond with exceeding joy for the priceless gift God gave the world.

Like the Shepherds, let us urgently proclaim the everlasting gospel and the second coming of Jesus. This requires fearless, inspired communication and utilizing every means, including secular papers, to shed light on the world. To effectively carry out this work, we must accept the sacred duty, which requires a deep study of the Bible. Secondly, we must live out the word of God in our lives. If we do these two things, we will hasten Christ's return through a clear, transformed character, full of truth, earnest faith, and practical methods. “In the commission to His disciples, Christ not only outlined their work but gave them their message. Teach the people, He said, “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” The disciples were to teach what Christ had taught. That which He had spoken, not only in person, but through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament, is here included. Human teachings are shut out. There is no place for tradition, for man’s theories and conclusions, or for church legislation. No laws ordained by ecclesiastical authority are included in the commission. None of these are Christ’s servants to teach. “The law and the prophets,” with the record of His own words and deeds, are the treasure committed to His modern-day disciples to be given to the world.

“The weighty obligation of warning a world of its coming doom is upon us. From every direction, far and near, calls are coming to us for help. The church, devotedly consecrated to the work, is to carry the message to the world: Come to the gospel feast; the supper is prepared, come.... Crowns, immortal crowns, are to be won. The kingdom of heaven is to be gained. A world, perishing in sin, is to be enlightened. The lost pearl is to be found. The lost sheep is to be brought back in safety to the fold. Who will join in the search? Who will bear the light to those who are wandering in the darkness of error?”

As we come down to the close of 2025. Let us find time for family during this busy season, and take some time to “Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ was born.” 

May God bless you real good this season, is my prayer. Merry Christmas.

By GARDEN MINISTRY