Lyrics
I’ve heard about this baby boy who’s come to earth to bring us joy,
And I just want to sing this song to you.
It goes like this: the fourth the fifth, the minor fall, the major lift.
With every breath I’m singing hallelujah!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
A couple came to Bethlehem. Expecting child, they searched the inn
To find a place, for you were coming soon.
There was no room for them to stay, so in a manger filled with hay,
God’s only son was born, o hallelujah!
Hallelujah …
The shepherds left their flocks by night, to see this baby wrapped in light.
A host of angels led them all to you.
It was just as the angel said: “You’ll find him in a manger bed!”
Immanuel and Saviour, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, …
A star shone bright up in the east. To Bethlehem, the Wise-men 3
Came many miles and journeyed long for you.
And to the place at which you were, their Frankincense and gold and myrrh
They gave to you and cried out: “Hallelujah!”
Hallelujah, …
I know you came to rescue me. This baby boy would grow to be
A man, and one day die for me and you.
My sins would drive the nails in you. That rugged cross was my cross too.
Still every breath you drew was Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! …
My thoughts.
I’ve been told that the word Hallelujah is literally a command to praise the Lord. And I’ve always felt there’s no better time of year to praise him than at Christmas. This song sums up the whole nativity story in a few short verses.
I love the tune of Leonard Cowen’s Hallelujah, but the words are a little confusing. I was therefore thrilled when Cloverton wrote their Hallelujah Christmas. It’s always felt to me as if this should be a song of praise, and thanks to them, now it is.
The final verse reminds us that once Christmas has passed, we can start looking ahead to Easter, and remembering the reason Jesus was born as a baby in a manger. He came to save us from our sins, by taking our punishment upon himself when he died on the cross. What can we say to that but a resounding “Hallelujah!” It was indeed our sin that drove the nails in him. It should have been us hanging there receiving our punishment, but “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16.)