All over the world this Christmas season, churchgoers will sing along to some version of “Adeste Fideles.” It is traditionally the final anthem during Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. You might recognize the English title, O Come All Ye Faithful! More than one person likely wrote the song and the lyrics have slightly changed.
The first printed Latin version of the song was released in 1751. It took 100 years for this popular Christmas tune to be translated into English. The reason why it took this long to translate might surprise you. The song was originally released to English speakers in Latin. Some Christians didn’t believe that hymns should be sung in English. They thought Latin was the language for hymns.
We must be careful that we don’t make the same mistake. While you likely won’t hear an argument against hymns sung in English, modern-day Church people get stuck on other preferences. Maybe you have heard an argument that we should only read the King James Version of the Bible. That’s a great modern-day comparison. Jesus didn’t originally worship in Latin, nor did he speak King James Version. We must be careful that our focus doesn’t shift from worshiping Jesus to worshiping our preferences.
As you sing O, Come All Ye Faithful, in English today, ask God which of your preferences you worship over Jesus. Maybe it’s a “tradition” that isn’t rooted in scripture. Or, maybe it’s a preference to be negative, to gossip, or to sin in some other way. If we’re honest with ourselves, there are lots of things we prefer that Jesus doesn’t.
Luke 2:8-14
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”