Hillsong - Born Is the King (It's Christmas) Lyrics

Born Is the King (It's Christmas)

Born Is the King (It's Christmas) Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Hillsong's song "Born Is The King (It's Christmas)" centers on the foundational Christian belief in the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics immediately declare the event, identifying Jesus as "a Saviour" born on a specific day, described as a divine "Gifted from heaven to a manger." This imagery directly references the humble circumstances of Christ's birth as documented in biblical accounts, highlighting the miraculous nature of a heavenly gift arriving in earthly form. The song presents this birth not merely as a historical event, but as the source of universal hope and light, proclaiming Jesus as "The hope of the world" and "A light for all mankind."

A core message conveyed throughout the song is a fervent call to celebrate and give praise. The recurring lines urge listeners to "lift up your voice and sing out His praise," "rejoice in the day," "make a joyful sound," and "let His praise resound." This repetitive structure emphasizes the importance of widespread, enthusiastic worship and joy in response to the event of Christ's birth, designating the Christmas season as a time specifically set aside for this celebration. The phrase "All of the earth rejoice" extends this invitation to a global level, recognizing the significance of the birth for all people.

The song also incorporates themes traditionally associated with the Christmas narrative, specifically mentioning "Goodwill to all the earth" and "peace divine." These lines echo the angelic proclamation of peace and goodwill at the time of Jesus' birth, reinforcing the idea that this event brought not only salvation and hope but also a promise of peace. The repeated declaration "It's Christmas time" serves as a reminder of the reason for the season's celebrations – the arrival of the newborn King. The official music video for this song was released on November 8, 2011.

The lyrical content draws heavily from several key scripture passages. The declaration of a Saviour being born is found in Luke 2:11, stating, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." The reference to the manger aligns with Luke 2:7, which describes Jesus being laid in a manger because there was no room. Identifying Jesus as "The hope of the world" and "A light for all mankind" reflects passages like John 8:12 where Jesus declares Himself the light of the world, and prophecies like Isaiah 9:2 about a great light dawning. The assertion "Born is the King" resonates with Matthew 2:2 where wise men seek the one "born king of the Jews," and prophetic declarations in Luke 1:32-33 about Christ's eternal reign. Finally, the inclusion of "Goodwill to all the earth and peace divine" directly references the angelic message in Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" The repeated calls to lift voices, sing, rejoice, and make joyful sounds are consistent with numerous exhortations to worship and praise found throughout the Psalms and other biblical texts.