- Biblical Insights
- Song & Lyrics
- Pr Philip Chieng: It echoes the Great Commission
- Archdeacon Stephen Chan: Why cross the mountains and hills?
This Christmas carol begins with the familiar refrain, which is repeated after each stanza. This refrain dominates the hymn, both in terms of the lyrics and the music. The news that Christ the Saviour of the world has been born is such history-changing news that it cannot be kept to oneself. It must be broadcast widely and constantly!
The reference to the mountains comes from Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” The messenger of this good news climbs the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. No obstacle could stand in the way.
This Christmas carol tells the Christmas story as recorded in Luke’s gospel. The shepherds of Bethlehem were visited by angels who brought the good news from heaven that the long-awaited Messiah had come. The Saviour of the world had been born in Bethlehem. The dark night was filled with heaven’s glory and the shepherds were terrified.
But the angel told them not to be afraid, for he had brought good news. The shepherds then heard the angelic choir sing the good news that needs to ring out across the world.
The good news is explained in the final stanza. God has sent us salvation through the newly born Jesus, His only Son. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and in so doing He saves us.
Messengers of the gospel crossed big mountains and oceans to bring the good news to many nations. What about us? All that may be needed is to cross the office to talk to our colleagues, or cross the street to share with our neighbours the good news.
It is not possible to celebrate Christmas without having a desire to tell others about Christ our Saviour. This song speaks to our hearts, feet, and lips: “Go and tell.” Christmas carols … let us sing together and let them bring men to God, and men to men.
The reference to the mountains comes from Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” The messenger of this good news climbs the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. No obstacle could stand in the way.
This Christmas carol tells the Christmas story as recorded in Luke’s gospel. The shepherds of Bethlehem were visited by angels who brought the good news from heaven that the long-awaited Messiah had come. The Saviour of the world had been born in Bethlehem. The dark night was filled with heaven’s glory and the shepherds were terrified.
But the angel told them not to be afraid, for he had brought good news. The shepherds then heard the angelic choir sing the good news that needs to ring out across the world.
The good news is explained in the final stanza. God has sent us salvation through the newly born Jesus, His only Son. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and in so doing He saves us.
Messengers of the gospel crossed big mountains and oceans to bring the good news to many nations. What about us? All that may be needed is to cross the office to talk to our colleagues, or cross the street to share with our neighbours the good news.
It is not possible to celebrate Christmas without having a desire to tell others about Christ our Saviour. This song speaks to our hearts, feet, and lips: “Go and tell.” Christmas carols … let us sing together and let them bring men to God, and men to men.
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Saviour's birth
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed this Christmas morn
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Saviour's birth
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed this Christmas morn
Pr Philip ChiengSenior Pastor
Praise Baptist Centre KL
Praise Baptist Centre KL
I learnt this carol during my Sunday school years back in Sitiawan. It was a catchy action song but the lyrics did not strike me in any significant way. Only much later in my life did I realise the message of this song is not only an announcement of the birth of the Saviour of the world, but it echoes the Great Commission given by our Lord to His disciples before He ascended to heaven.
So we are to “Go, tell it on the mountain…” That every mountain is the mountain of religion, family, education, government, business, media, arts and entertainment, and the message is that Jesus has come, and will come again to bring redemption to His followers.
With all the signs of His coming becoming increasingly evident, the message of His Salvation has become even more urgent. His clarion call to “Go and make disciples of all nations… baptising… and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20) is Christ’s last command and ought to be our first concern as His followers. That is my focus for my remaining time on earth and may it be yours too.
So we are to “Go, tell it on the mountain…” That every mountain is the mountain of religion, family, education, government, business, media, arts and entertainment, and the message is that Jesus has come, and will come again to bring redemption to His followers.
With all the signs of His coming becoming increasingly evident, the message of His Salvation has become even more urgent. His clarion call to “Go and make disciples of all nations… baptising… and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20) is Christ’s last command and ought to be our first concern as His followers. That is my focus for my remaining time on earth and may it be yours too.
Archdeacon Stephen ChanThe Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia
I have been involved in the church’s Christmas carolling since 1987, and while practising carols with other brothers and sisters, ‘Go, Tell it on the Mountain’ used to confuse me.
Jesus is to save the world, so that people living in dire straits will have a Redeemer who can be relied upon to comfort, lead, and bless us. But since He is so good, why do we need to cross mountains and hills to share the Good News?
Later, I realised that because people are bound by sin and blinded by their own desires, they cannot see Jesus' salvation and hear His call, even in the most dangerous or helpless moments. That's why Christians need to be like this song – to go over the mountains, cross the hills to various places and preach the birth of Jesus Christ to others.
Whenever the church is preparing to celebrate or train her brothers and sisters to deliver the good news, it greatly motivates us not only to celebrate in church, but also to preach the good news about the birth of Jesus.
Jesus is to save the world, so that people living in dire straits will have a Redeemer who can be relied upon to comfort, lead, and bless us. But since He is so good, why do we need to cross mountains and hills to share the Good News?
Later, I realised that because people are bound by sin and blinded by their own desires, they cannot see Jesus' salvation and hear His call, even in the most dangerous or helpless moments. That's why Christians need to be like this song – to go over the mountains, cross the hills to various places and preach the birth of Jesus Christ to others.
Whenever the church is preparing to celebrate or train her brothers and sisters to deliver the good news, it greatly motivates us not only to celebrate in church, but also to preach the good news about the birth of Jesus.
This Christmas carol begins with the familiar refrain, which is repeated after each stanza. This refrain dominates the hymn, both in terms of the lyrics and the music. The news that Christ the Saviour of the world has been born is such history-changing news that it cannot be kept to oneself. It must be broadcast widely and constantly!
The reference to the mountains comes from Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” The messenger of this good news climbs the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. No obstacle could stand in the way.
This Christmas carol tells the Christmas story as recorded in Luke’s gospel. The shepherds of Bethlehem were visited by angels who brought the good news from heaven that the long-awaited Messiah had come. The Saviour of the world had been born in Bethlehem. The dark night was filled with heaven’s glory and the shepherds were terrified.
But the angel told them not to be afraid, for he had brought good news. The shepherds then heard the angelic choir sing the good news that needs to ring out across the world.
The good news is explained in the final stanza. God has sent us salvation through the newly born Jesus, His only Son. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and in so doing He saves us.
Messengers of the gospel crossed big mountains and oceans to bring the good news to many nations. What about us? All that may be needed is to cross the office to talk to our colleagues, or cross the street to share with our neighbours the good news.
It is not possible to celebrate Christmas without having a desire to tell others about Christ our Saviour. This song speaks to our hearts, feet, and lips: “Go and tell.” Christmas carols … let us sing together and let them bring men to God, and men to men.
The reference to the mountains comes from Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” The messenger of this good news climbs the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. No obstacle could stand in the way.
This Christmas carol tells the Christmas story as recorded in Luke’s gospel. The shepherds of Bethlehem were visited by angels who brought the good news from heaven that the long-awaited Messiah had come. The Saviour of the world had been born in Bethlehem. The dark night was filled with heaven’s glory and the shepherds were terrified.
But the angel told them not to be afraid, for he had brought good news. The shepherds then heard the angelic choir sing the good news that needs to ring out across the world.
The good news is explained in the final stanza. God has sent us salvation through the newly born Jesus, His only Son. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and in so doing He saves us.
Messengers of the gospel crossed big mountains and oceans to bring the good news to many nations. What about us? All that may be needed is to cross the office to talk to our colleagues, or cross the street to share with our neighbours the good news.
It is not possible to celebrate Christmas without having a desire to tell others about Christ our Saviour. This song speaks to our hearts, feet, and lips: “Go and tell.” Christmas carols … let us sing together and let them bring men to God, and men to men.
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Saviour's birth
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed this Christmas morn
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Saviour's birth
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed this Christmas morn
Pr Philip ChiengSenior Pastor, Praise Baptist Centre KL
I learnt this carol during my Sunday school years back in Sitiawan. It was a catchy action song but the lyrics did not strike me in any significant way. Only much later in my life did I realise the message of this song is not only an announcement of the birth of the Saviour of the world, but it echoes the Great Commission given by our Lord to His disciples before He ascended to heaven.
So we are to “Go, tell it on the mountain…” That every mountain is the mountain of religion, family, education, government, business, media, arts and entertainment, and the message is that Jesus has come, and will come again to bring redemption to His followers.
With all the signs of His coming becoming increasingly evident, the message of His Salvation has become even more urgent. His clarion call to “Go and make disciples of all nations… baptising… and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20) is Christ’s last command and ought to be our first concern as His followers. That is my focus for my remaining time on earth and may it be yours too.
So we are to “Go, tell it on the mountain…” That every mountain is the mountain of religion, family, education, government, business, media, arts and entertainment, and the message is that Jesus has come, and will come again to bring redemption to His followers.
With all the signs of His coming becoming increasingly evident, the message of His Salvation has become even more urgent. His clarion call to “Go and make disciples of all nations… baptising… and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20) is Christ’s last command and ought to be our first concern as His followers. That is my focus for my remaining time on earth and may it be yours too.
Archdeacon Stephen ChanThe Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia
I have been involved in the church’s Christmas carolling since 1987, and while practising carols with other brothers and sisters, ‘Go, Tell it on the Mountain’ used to confuse me.
Jesus is to save the world, so that people living in dire straits will have a Redeemer who can be relied upon to comfort, lead, and bless us. But since He is so good, why do we need to cross mountains and hills to share the Good News?
Later, I realised that because people are bound by sin and blinded by their own desires, they cannot see Jesus' salvation and hear His call, even in the most dangerous or helpless moments. That's why Christians need to be like this song – to go over the mountains, cross the hills to various places and preach the birth of Jesus Christ to others.
Whenever the church is preparing to celebrate or train her brothers and sisters to deliver the good news, it greatly motivates us not only to celebrate in church, but also to preach the good news about the birth of Jesus.
Jesus is to save the world, so that people living in dire straits will have a Redeemer who can be relied upon to comfort, lead, and bless us. But since He is so good, why do we need to cross mountains and hills to share the Good News?
Later, I realised that because people are bound by sin and blinded by their own desires, they cannot see Jesus' salvation and hear His call, even in the most dangerous or helpless moments. That's why Christians need to be like this song – to go over the mountains, cross the hills to various places and preach the birth of Jesus Christ to others.
Whenever the church is preparing to celebrate or train her brothers and sisters to deliver the good news, it greatly motivates us not only to celebrate in church, but also to preach the good news about the birth of Jesus.
Father God, I thank you that Jesus is my Saviour. As I celebrate Christmas, may the Holy Spirit guide and help me to tell others about the good news of Christ.
Into the Darkness, You Brought Light
With lyrics by Bishop Emeritus Robert M. Solomon, this song offers praise for who Jesus is and thanksgiving for what He has done.
