CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND THE DEAF

Have you ever paid attention to how much is said about angels singing, shepherds praising, bells ringing, harps playing, and joyful worship, in the Christmas carols we sing? Even Heaven itself, along with all nations, nature, and mountains, gets involved in echoing the anthems of praise to the newborn King.

"Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
With th'angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."

"Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heav'n and nature sing."

"Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,

Proclaiming Thy royal decree."

"It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men, From Heav'n's all-gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

"Still thru the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heav'nly music floats O'er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hov'ring wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing."

"Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King."

"Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply Echo back their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be, Which inspire your Heav'nly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo."

"What Child is this, Who, laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary."

"Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye bright hosts of Heav'n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"

"Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from Heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!"

"I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play."

"Alleluia! O how the angels sang. Alleluia! How it rang!"

"Ring the bells! Ring the bells! Let the whole world know."

How many times have you sung these songs? Countless times, most probably.

But have you ever thought about the deaf around the world? They have never heard any of them. They can't hear singing, ringing, echoing, praising or playing of instruments.

But there is something even worse than that. The great majority of deaf around the world don't know the reason for all the hymns of joy being sung around them. Simply put, they do not know about the birth of Jesus Christ even though it happened some 2000 years ago. Who has ever related that story to the deaf in China, Bangladesh, Poland, Mali, or Venezuela?

Silent Word Ministries International wants to help remedy that situation for many deaf.

We are looking for men and women who have a burden to preach to the deaf internationally about Christ. We are looking for a generation of missionary-pioneers who will sacrifice personal goals, ambitions, comforts, as well as family and friends to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

We are looking for churches to support us financially as we seek to evangelize the deaf worldwide. We are available to speak in your church about the vital part your people can have in world deaf-evangelization.

We are looking for Christians who know how to pray and will commit to praying for us as we seek to reach the deaf of this world with the Good News of our Saviour.

For more information, please, contact Rev. David Bennett, International Missions Director for SWMI. May God richly bless you at this Christmas season.
 

"Ring the bells!  Ring the bells!

Let the whole world know..."

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