Christmas is rooted in worship

 

 One of the few things that stands out at Christmas, more than any holiday, is the music. We don't really sing about turkey at Thanksgiving (unless you're Adam Sandler) or fireworks on the 4th of July.. But Christmas is different. Yes, some songs are about snow, the tree, or even Santa, but if you listen to the songs of Christmas, the majority point to CHRIST. It's no surprise that at the first Christmas, singing was so prominent. There were Christmas Carols on the first Christmas. They were songs of worship, for this newborn king. Luke  records:

 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

 And Mary said:
   "My soul glorifies the Lord
    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has been mindful
      of the humble state of his servant.
   From now on all generations will call me blessed,
    for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
      holy is his name.
 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
      from generation to generation.
 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
      he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
      but has lifted up the humble.
 He has filled the hungry with good things
      but has sent the rich away empty.
 He has helped his servant Israel,
      remembering to be merciful
 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
      even as he said to our fathers."

Luke 1:39-55

Before he was even born, he was inspiring songs about his near birth! This was no ordinary birth. 

And yet a few months later, John the Baptist would be born, but not without a song. Zechariah , John's father, was struck mute for not believing GOd (unoike Mary) and at the time of his son's birth a song comes forth. Luke continues

Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.

 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
 "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
      because he has come and has redeemed his people.
 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
      in the house of his servant David
 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
 salvation from our enemies
      and from the hand of all who hate us—
 to show mercy to our fathers
      and to remember his holy covenant,
 the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
      and to enable us to serve him without fear
 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
      for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
      through the forgiveness of their sins,
 because of the tender mercy of our God,
      by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
 to shine on those living in darkness
      and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the path of peace." Luke 1:64-79

He tells John (merely a few days old) what his life will be: a pointer to the Savior of Israel.  Pretty big news for a one week old! You'd think a few songs would be enough, but as the first Christmas finally arrives, the singing takes on a whole new dimension. Having just given birth, God himself, makes sure someone knows about what just happened. Luke continues

 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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ 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,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

If ever Angels had something to sing about, it would be the birth of the King of Kings. ANd who can forget what happened a week after his birth. Luke writes:

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
      you now dismiss your servant in peace.
 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
    which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
      and for glory to your people Israel."

 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:25-32; 36-38

This child brought worship to God and to himself before during and after his birth. Is it any wonder that we still worship him today? I hope that in all you do today, when you sing a Christmas carol, you'll remember that  today you sing songs about a very special child. The one who brought God's peace to man.