Photo by Jorge Fernández Salas
The author of Adeste Fideles is unknown. Though sometimes attributed to John Francis Wade, John Reading, or King John IV of Portugal, it has also been credited to anonymous Cistercian monks. It was later translated to English as O Come All Ye Faithful, with Catholic priest Frederick Oakeley’s version as the most well-known.
For this review, I’ve included the original four Latin Verses translated to English by Oakeley.
Side Note: Most modern versions do not include Verse 2.
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1. What message does the song communicate?
This song appeals to the faithful, those of us who follow Jesus, to remember the reason for the season. Jesus came from humble beginning, the Word who foresook His throne and glory to become a frail human being through a young virgin. He is God, uncreated, and Lord over all, including the angels and us. We respond to His lovingkindness with joyful praise and worship, adoring Him.
As with many Christmas songs, it talks about the singing angels. It’s possible that the angels were singing, though the case for it is not strong (see section 2). This affects the song’s Biblical accuracy, but not its overall message.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
Though most of it aligns with Scripture, Verse 3 contains the singing angels. The Scriptural support for this is weak at best.
This song is public domain.
[Verse 1]
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
This calls out to Christians, compelling us to return once again to Bethlehem and gaze upon baby Jesus once again, remembering why He came (Luke 1:26-38). According to the angel that visited Mary, baby Jesus would take Jacob’s throne and rule forever (Luke 1:32-33). Considering that the angels also rejoiced (Luke 2:13-14), as well as Jesus’ fulfillment of Psalm 8:5, being made for a little while lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7-9) and authority over twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53), we have ample evidence to say Jesus was born King over the Angels.
O come, let us adore Him,
Let us follow the example of others, worshipping Jesus as the Magi did in Matthew 2:11 and proclaiming it to others as the shepherds in Luke 2:17.
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Repeats line 5.
Christ the Lord.
Jesus is Lord (1 Timothy 6:15 and Revelation 19:16).
[Verse 2]
God of God, light of light,
This is explained in line 3.
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Jesus emptied Himself to become one of us (Philippians 2:5-7).
Very God, begotten, not created:
Jesus is God (Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 43:10-11, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26, John 1:1-3, John 1:14, John 5:17-18, John 8:23-25, John 8:28, John 10:30-33, John 14:9, John 20:28-29, Philippians 2:5-6, Colossians 1:16-19, Colossians 2:8-9, Titus 2:13, 1 Timothy 6:14-16, Hebrews 1:10-12, Revelation 1:8, and Revelation 22:13), begotten yet not made.
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Repeats Verse 1, lines 5-8.
[Verse 3]
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
According to Luke 2:13-14, there was a multitude of angels exalting Jesus. Though there were heavenly hosts and they announced the birth of Jesus, Scripture does not support that they were singing. Take a good look at Luke 2:13. It says “saying”. It comes from the Koine Greek word “legó”, which means “to say”. That doesn’t mean that angels can’t sing (Job 38:7’s “morning stars” could be seen as angels), but the text doesn’t say that they sang.
As for the Koine Greek term Aineo (to praise), according to Bible Study Tools, praiseworthy singing is a possible translation for this word. However, no major translation translates it with singing in mind.
Side Note: Some versions contain the phrase “bright hosts” instead of “citizens”. This alternative phrase finds support in Job 38:7, which refers to the “morning stars” as angels.
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Repeats Verse 1, lines 5-8.
[Verse 4]
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
We respond by glorifying Jesus, responding to the call in Verse 1, lines 1-4.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
The Word became flesh (John 1:1 and John 1:14).
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Repeats Verse 1, lines 5-8.
Score: 9/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
This song’s references to Bethlehem, angels, Christ, Virgin, and Jesus point unbelievers to Christmas, which is a Christian tradition. Despite its Biblical inaccuracy, the singing angels does not affect an unbeliever’s interpretation, that it calls for Jesus’ followers to worship Him.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies God that it compels believers to remember why we celebrate Christmas, urging us to praise Him. This song’s only potential minor error is that the angels were singing, slightly veiling His glory.
Score: 9/10
Closing Comments
O Come All Ye Faithful is mostly good. It presses Christians to remember why Jesus was born during the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation, joining the angels to proclaim and worship Jesus. This glorifies God. The author states that the angels sang, which is Biblically weak at best. Unbelievers should easily interpret similarly.
Despite my issues with the singing angels, It’s a great first song that will set the tone and mood for corporate worship.
Final Score: 9.5/10
Artist Info
Track: O Come All Ye Faithful (listen to Carrie Underwood’s version of the song)
Artist: Anonymous
Album: N/A
Genre: Christmas, Hymn
Release Year: 1751 (earliest known publication)
Duration: N/A
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
10/25/2022 – Upon recent information from Heather’s comment on Joseph Mohr’s Silent Night, I updated my commentary on the singing angels. While this rose section 1’s score, the overall rating is unaffected.
Comments
Peter Y
Our pastor has recommended that we stop singing this song because it is addressed to the “faithful”. But none of us our faithful. He recommends the song “O Come, All You Unfaithful” by Sovereign Grace instead which emphasizes that Christ came for sinners. Thoughts on this particular issue of biblicality?
Vince Wright
Peter,
Thank you for your comments!
Take a look at 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. Specifically, the end of Verse 2. The Apostle Paul states that he is to be regarded as “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (Verse 1) and “it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (Verse 2). The word “Trustworthy” comes from the Koine Greek “pistos”, which means “trustworthy, faithful, believing.” (see https://biblehub.com/greek/4103.htm). Based on your pastor’s interpretation, the Apostle Paul would be disqualified as a stuart/servants of Christ given that he is the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) and wars against his fleshy desires, sometimes giving into them (Romans 7:25).
Whatever 1 Corinthians 4:2 means in terms of “trustworthiness” or “faithfulness”, I am certain that it doesn’t mean that such a person never sins. The same is true about the “faithful” that “come and behold Him”.
I’m also a bit curious to whom your pastor thinks are the “faithful servants” in Matthew 25:21, if none of us are faithful.
-Vince Wright