O GO!

"You who bring good tidings to Zion, GO UP ON A HIGH MOUNTAIN. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, LIFT UP YOUR VOICE WITH A SHOUT, LIFT IT UP, DO NOT BE AFRAID; say to the towns of Judah, 'Here is your God!' " (Isaiah 40:9)

"Men everywhere must hear these glad tidings if they are to benefit from them. With absolute clarity they must hear the message, "Here is your God!" ' (Kenneth W. Osbeck)

Get the picture? Got the message? Go! Go tell it on the mountain!!

Go! This word is obvious as to what to do and you can view it as a command from God, specifically to you.
Tell - Don't assume that people 'know' about Jesus. They don't and God tells you to tell them, and as recorded in Isaiah 'Shout'!
"It" is the good news of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior - such glorious news, the Gospel!
On the mountain - This is difficult for people who live only 5 feet about sea level, but where ever your mountain is, use it as your pulpit, your speaking platform, your soapbox and let the world know your Savior. I'm glad the refrain includes "over the hills and everywhere".

I'm also glad that Isaiah told us "do not be afraid" because sometimes, when the emotion of the season fades, I am reluctant to boldly share or even share at all the good news of the Christmas message. Interesting that before the Christ was even born, we were afraid to share the good news that God was giving to us, that He is God, through His prophets. And how thankful we should be that His words were recorded for us. And that our Christmas message in carol/song form was recorded for us through the work of so many poets, pastors, composers, Sunday school teachers and those we label "traditional". Such is the case of our carol today.

John W. Work (1871-1925) who, with his brother Frederick, was instrumental in writing down and publishing Negro spirituals, published Folk Songs of the American Negro in 1907 and included this spiritual. The refrain was a traditional spiritual and John wrote the 3 stanzas that tell of the shepherds and the manger. Ending the 3rd stanza with these words: "God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn," we can't help but sing out on the rhythmic and compelling traditional refrain:
"Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere -- go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!"

Join with those shepherds, and the angels and at least 3 magi, and Christians everywhere, clap your hands, and shout out along with the music: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/o/gotitotm.htm
The wonderful message of Christmas is that Christ, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ the Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, Emmanuel is here!!!!!!!!!!!