The song, “Go Tell It On the Mountain” is an African American spiritual, adapted by John W. Work. The scripture reference is Luke 2:8-20 and Matthew 28:19. (hymnary.org)
Sheep. Shepherds. Nighttime. A seemingly ordinary evening. Doing their job. Keeping watch over their flocks. Suddenly, the ordinary turned extraordinary. Angels. Visible. Proclaiming. The truth of the angel’s message became sight when the shepherds heeded the angel’s proclamation and saw their Savior, the babe in the manger, in Bethlehem. The shepherds left, praising and glorifying God. But they did not keep this Good News to themselves. They made known the saying told them. They went and told everyone what had happened. They shared the Good News. We, too, are tasked with telling others the Good News. “ Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Let our message of Jesus be the center of our Christmas celebration and be proclaimed as we gather with friends and family this holiday season.
Go Tell It On the Mountain
Refrain:
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
1. While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold thru-out the heavens
There shone a holy light.
2. The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth.
3. Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.*
*hymnary.org