Favorite Christmas Hymns

Thanksgiving has past, and with it the unofficial beginning of listening to Christmas music has begun. As Christians, we love to listen to good Christmas music during this time of year. Music is and always has been a part of our home. We listen to music while we decorate our psychedelic Christmas cookies. We listen to music while we decorate the tree. We listen to music while we go about our daily business in the home.

A favorite Christmas hymn for some, including us, is the hymn, "Who is He in Yonder Stall?" This hymn was written by Benjamin Russell Hanby in about 1866, just before he died of tuberculosis at age 33. While this hymn speaks of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, Hanby also wrote one of the first, if not the first, song about Santa Claus: "Up On the Housetop." Go figure!

"Who is He in Yonder Stall?" has a certain beauty to it because of its message and grandness of refrain. It begins with the incarnation, "Who is He, in yonder stall, at whose feet the shepherds fall?" and ends with a stanza about his resurrection and session. Perhaps a sixth stanza would complete the story by telling of Christ's return.

Each stanza is answered with a resounding, "'Tis the Lord, the King of Glory. Crown Him Lord of all!"

We are thankful for such beloved Christmas texts, and trust that Christ will reign as Lord of your life and home this Christmas, and each day. Merry Christmas!

1. Who is He in yonder stall, At whose feet the shepherds fall? Who is He in deep distress, Fasting in the wilderness?

Refrain: 'Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! 'Tis the Lord! the King of glory! At His feet we humbly fall, Crown Him! crown Him Lord of all!

2. Who is he the people bless For His words of gentleness? Who is he to whom they bring all the sick and sorrowing?

3. Who is He that stands and weeps At the grave where Laz'rus sleeps? Who is He the gath'ring throng Greet with loud triumphant song?

4. Lo! at midnight, who is He

Prays in dark Gethsemane? Who is he on yonder tree, Dies in grief and agony?

5. Who is he that from the grave

Comes to heal and help and save? Who is he that from His throne Rules thro' all the world alone?