The Subsequent Verse

I love Christmas music...especially traditional carols that bring tidings of Christ's birth. I can also, by memory, sing (albeit not in tune) the first verses of such carols. As familiar and beautiful as these first verses are, I think that in most of the songs the best lyrics are saved for the subsequent verses.

Here are a few examples.

The First Noel -- Verse 6

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing --Verse 3

Hail! the heav'n born Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Oh Holy Night -- Verse 3

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name

Joy to the World -- Verse 3

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonder wonders of His love

These verses resound in my heart because they point not to just Jesus' birth, but to His death and Resurrection.

Here's some Third Day with their take on Joy to the World