Go Tell It on the Mountain: Joy That Overflows

December 14th, 2025
by Pastor Bob

Go Tell It on the Mountain: Joy That Overflows
We are halfway through Advent, and for many of us the season already feels full—Christmas parties, shopping lists, snowstorms, and more cookies than we know what to do with. In the midst of all of that busyness, we are also halfway through our Thrill of Hope Advent series, where we’ve been slowing down to ponder the theology behind the classic Christmas carols we love.

This week’s carol is “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” It fits beautifully with the third week of Advent, when we light the candle of joy and reflect on the truth that real joy is found in knowing Jesus Christ.

A Carol Born Out of Joy and Suffering
“Go Tell It on the Mountain” comes from the African American spiritual tradition and was passed down orally among enslaved communities in the early 1800s before being formally published in 1907. Because of this rich oral history, there are many variations of the lyrics. But one theme is consistent: Christ breaks the chains of slavery.
What is striking—and even humbling—is that this carol overflows with joy, even though it was sung by people who were suffering deeply. Enslaved men and women toiled day and night, yet they sang with joy because their hope was not rooted in circumstances, but in a Savior. Their joy came from knowing that Jesus had come to set them free—ultimately and eternally.

This history also reminds us that Bethany itself was alive and active during this period, standing as a beacon in the fight against slavery. That is a part of our story we can be grateful for.

Joy as Our Response to Christmas
Many Christmas carols are solemn and reflective, and rightly so. But “Go Tell It on the Mountain” invites us into something different: joyful, exuberant worship. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to worship Him with gladness—to sing, to celebrate, and to rejoice.

Joy is not optional in the Christian life; it is central to the Christmas story. When we truly understand what Christmas means—Emmanuel, God with us; God breaking into creation to rescue and redeem—it should stir joy in our hearts.

Throughout Scripture, joy is presented as a defining mark of God’s people. We are commanded to rejoice, reminded that hope in Christ produces joy, and taught that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy is even listed as a fruit of the Spirit. This means joy is not something we manufacture by sheer willpower. It is something God produces in us as we draw near to Him.

If you find yourself lacking joy this Christmas season, the answer is not to grit your teeth and try harder. Instead, draw closer to Jesus. Joy grows naturally out of relationship with Him.

Joy That Leads to Telling
The refrain of the carol is unmistakable:
Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere… that Jesus Christ is born.
This is an act of evangelism. To proclaim that Jesus is born is to declare that His coming matters—that He is worth telling others about. Evangelism is not about obligation or pressure; it is an overflow of joy. If we truly believe Jesus is the Son of God, that He died and rose again to take away our sin and shame, then this is not just good news—it is the best news.

In fact, Scripture makes it clear that sharing our faith is not unloving or intrusive. It is an act of love. Jesus Himself commands His followers to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel. We share not out of guilt, but out of gratitude for the greatest gift we have ever received.

Faithfulness in the Small Steps
During the sermon, we heard a powerful testimony from Nor, who shared about a late-night conversation with her brother that arose unexpectedly during a family gathering. She didn’t prepare a speech or have all the right answers. She simply remained open and faithful, trusting God’s timing.
Not every gospel conversation ends with immediate conversion. But faithfulness matters. Sometimes evangelism looks like small steps—honest conversations, quiet witness, prayerful presence. God uses each step in ways we cannot always see.
Each of us is on a different journey when it comes to sharing our faith. For some, the next step may be having a direct conversation. For others, it may be building relationships, overcoming fear, rediscovering joy, or simply beginning to pray for someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus.

From the Mountain to the Manger
The carol also points us to a deeper theological truth. Scripture often shows God revealing Himself on mountains—Mount Sinai, the Mount of Transfiguration, and others. But at Christmas, God comes down from the mountain. He is born humbly in a manger.
In Jesus, God reaches toward us, restoring relationship. This was revolutionary. Jesus taught that true worship is no longer tied to a place, but is done in spirit and truth. Through the cross, the barrier between God and humanity is removed.
When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two—symbolizing that separation from God was no longer necessary. Because of Christ, we now have direct access to the Father. We are called sons and daughters of the King, heirs of His kingdom, and even a royal priesthood.

Chosen to Proclaim
This restored relationship leads us back to our mission. We are chosen, made holy, and set apart so that we may proclaim the excellencies of God to a dark world. That is why we go and tell. That is why we sing with joy. That is why we shout it from the mountaintops:
Jesus Christ is born.
May this Advent season stir joy in your heart—not fleeting happiness, but deep, lasting joy rooted in what God has done for you. The veil is torn. The Savior has come. Go tell it on the mountain.

Scripture References