Page 23 - 12 Days of Christmas (2020)

The Story Behind the Carol Bible Verse:

1 John 4:7-12

Neither the text writer nor the tune writer of God
Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is known. “Tidings of
Beloved, let us love one another, because
Comfort and Joy” was the title known earlier. The
love is from God; everyone who loves is
first publication was found in 1760. This was one of
born of God and knows God. Whoever does
the carols that was removed from the later hymnals
not love does not know God, for God is love.
across the denominations. It may have been due to
God’s love was revealed among us in this
the archaic English of the title and the words. The
way: God sent his only Son into the world
meaning of the title can be translated in the modern
so that we might live through him. In this
English “God Keep You Bountiful, All!” Some
is love, not that we loved God but that he
versions of this carol includes seven stanzas, as it
loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning
describes the Christmas Story (Luke 2:1-10),
sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God
though all finish with encouragement to share love
loved us so much, we also ought to love one
and kindness to each other.
another. No one has ever seen God; if we
love one another, God lives in us, and his
love is perfected in us.

English Traditional / arr. James Neal Koudelka
Performed by Kari & Cora Hoeft, vocal duet