In the “Behold the Lamb of God” production, three classic hymn songs are included. Two of the renditions are instrumental. I appreciate the fact that rather than writing a new theme, Andrew Peterson stuck with traditional songs that tell the story of Jesus.

Hymn 1: O come, O come, Emmanuel

The first tells of the longing of a Savior – Emmanuel – God, dwell with us. This is personally one of my favorite hymns. How I long for God to be with closely. Can you match the lyrics with the instrumental version?

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Monastic Hymn from 1200+ years ago

The 1861 translation is most accepted – by John Mason Neale in his book,  Hymns Ancient and Modern

Hymn 2: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

The shepherds were just doing their jobs. They certainly did not plan to be greeted by angels.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around

“Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind

To you in David’s house this day
Is born of David’s line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign

The heavenly babe you there shall find
To human view displayed
All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands
And in a manger laid”

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Christ is born
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Christ is born

“All glory be to God on high
And to the earth be peace
Good will henceforth from God to man
Begin and never cease”

Songwriters: Trad, Ben Shive

Bonus: The Holly and the Ivy is a little known Christmas carol. I really enjoy their instrumental version. The lyrics are a reminder that we can see proof of God coming down to earth in so many ways.

Hymn Three: The Holly and the Ivy

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown

O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ (repeated throughout)

The holly bears a blossom,
As white as lily flow’r,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our dear Saviour

The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To do poor sinners good

The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
On Christmas Day in the morn

The holly bears a bark,
As bitter as the gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
For to redeem us all

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown

Traditional British carol