A Christmas Carol, Satan, and Liturgy: An Epiphany from Christmas
“God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day. To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray. Oh tidings of comfort and joy”
by Kyle Spradley, National Director
At Christmas, seasonal songs seem to saturate the world around us. They fill the air in shops, drift like snowflakes in the north, and accompany us as we weave our way through our daily responsibilities. These melodies are as impossible to escape as fruitcake at a holiday potluck, yet they offer a far richer experience. Among all these tunes, "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" rises dramatically above the rest. Its melody is undeniably catchy, but its narrative is like no other carol. Rather than focusing solely on joy, this song does not shy away from the shadows. It boldly addresses the reality of spiritual conflict, evil, and hope—a trio of themes you would hardly expect to encounter between commercials for peppermint mochas.
The first verse is direct: “Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day, to save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.” It is rare to find another Christmas carol that names Satan so plainly. Most, like O Holy Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, or Joy to the World, prefer the language of light, hope, and peace. This carol, however, offers a more complete vision. It reminds us not only of the joy of Christ’s birth but also the purpose behind it: to confront Satan and redeem a wandering world. In its directness, the song draws us closer to the actual stakes of the nativity story.
The Feast of the Holy Innocents stands as a somber reminder that whenever God’s kingdom advances, evil does not remain idle. When Herod learned of a newborn King, his response was swift and merciless. He ordered the deaths of all boys under two in Bethlehem, a chilling event that pierces the otherwise joyous Christmas story. This act is not just a footnote; it exposes the lengths to which darkness will go to cling to power. Herod’s desperate grip on his throne is a manifestation of Satan’s dread of losing his own spiritual dominion. The story is brutal, but it cannot be ignored if we are to understand the hope that Christmas truly offers.
This same hope is not confined to carols alone. It finds voice in the Anglican litergy of the Renewed Ancient Text, where the Prayer of Consecration declares, “Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had sinned against you and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent your only Son Jesus Christ into the world for our salvation.” For Christians, Christ’s coming is more than a moment in history. It is the beginning of salvation from spiritual death and the emergence of a new hope. A noted ending to Jesus’ testing in the wilderness is recorded in Luke 4:13, “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” The victory has been won, yet the struggle remains.
In the third verse, we have a resolution to the narrative. Here, the angelic message rings out: “Fear not then, said the Angel. Let nothing you affright. This day is born a Savior. Of a pure Virgin bright. To free all those who trust in Him. From Satan's power and might.” The angel’s words are not mere comfort. They are a proclamation, radiant with hope and certainty. Jesus arrives not only to heal but also to deliver, to break the chains of evil for all humanity through His death and resurrection 2000 years ago, and for those who trust in Him today.
It’s been said that the greatest gift to humanity is Jesus. To use the phrase Victor-Radio coined in the 1920s, Jesus is the “gift that keeps on giving.” From Jesus comes another gift, His Spirit. By the power and authority we have in the Holy Spirit, we can pronounce, perhaps, the most effective proclamation Jesus ever uttered against evil: “Get behind me, Satan.” We’re assured that victory against the powers of evil has been won, but be prepared when you’re at a weak point. The enemy is prowling around looking for an “opportune time.” In confidence, we too can use Jesus’ command against Satan. The epiphany wrapped up as a Christmas gift is that we can actively live out victory over Satan.
My daughter periodically plays Christmas music year-round. Though we have moved through Christmas, we can still sing every verse of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen". Even in seasons of discord, the carols’ chorus holds. Tidings of comfort and joy are not fleeting emotions, but promises that echo through the ages for all who believe.