O Come, All You Unfaithful

Several years ago, someone shared a “new song” on social media, and without investigating any further, I sort of rolled my eyes and ignored it. By the looks of the title, I assumed it was just some cheap knock-off of a well-beloved Christmas carol, which didn’t interest me in the least. But then, thankfully, a couple years later, a friend shared it with me and insisted I take the time to listen. I did, albeit reluctantly, and it quite literally brought me to tears. First, for the hardness of my heart in prejudging something before I heard it. Which according to Scripture (Proverbs 18:13) is always unwise. Secondly, tears filled my eyes because this song is incredibly well-written and powerful. So let me encourage you not to be some grumpy ol’ Grinch (like me) and rob yourself of the comfort and encouragement of this beautiful hymn. Go “google it” right now and listen! 

I’d like to share with you some of the details that prompted the writing of this song. But before I do, let me make clear, this new song is not a dig, or in any way disparaging the old hymn that shares a similar title. The classic carol that most of us are familiar with is entitled, “O Come All Ye Faithful.” This hymn however, is called, “O Come all you Unfaithful.” But rather than being critical of the original, this newer version is intended to compliment, and perhaps even supplement, the earlier carol. 

In the winter of 2019, a lady named Lisa Clow, a devout Christian and church member, had curiously declined to sing with her choir. This was unusual for her. It was the beginning of Advent, and she had always used her beautiful God-given voice to sing at her church. However, that year, she declined. In her own words, here is why: “I was struggling. It had been a long year and a half. Finances were stressful, I miscarried twins, and on top of it I was battling a deep relational bitterness. My church was having their annual service where they kick off the Christmas season with carols and special songs and I, for once, was not singing. I told them that I wouldn’t be able to sing, but what they didn’t know is that I was too overcome with shame to stand on stage before my church.” 

Before we continue, let me interject, I am grateful for her honesty. Many of us can relate to those same feelings of inadequacy and spiritual shortcomings … even if we are not public with it. Lisa continues: “That Sunday morning, I stood at my seat as they began to sing, “O Come All Ye Faithful” and the first line of the song just clobbered me. It hit me like a giant wave of guilt. ‘O come all you faithful, joyful and triumphant!’ I remember hearing those words and thinking, I have been so unfaithful. My joy has dwindled, and I am a triumphant failure. And I didn’t sing the rest of the service.”

So many of us can empathize with what she was feeling. At that moment, she did not see herself as a faithful, joyful, and triumphant Christian! Instead, she felt faithless, joyless, and defeated. As you know, life has a way of knocking our legs out from under us and causing us to question our standing before God. I certainly can’t speak for everyone reading this article, but I understand exactly how she felt! While it is true, in Christ the born-again believer is more than a conqueror (Romans 8:31-37), that reality doesn’t always register in our minds. Yes, the Christian is a new creation, robed in the righteousness of Christ, and positionally perfect before God. However, there is a tension that always exists between that identity in Christ and our life experience. Bob Kauflin, (who helped edit the music and lyrics to this song), explained that internal conflict like this: “a wide gap often exists between who we are in Christ and the way we live or perceive ourselves.” 

I suppose Lisa could have done what we all so often do, and just pretend everything is okay and sing anyway?! But she refused. She didn’t want to pretend, and she wisely knew God takes our worship seriously, and He hates empty praise. So, she went home and begin to try and process her feelings in the light of Scripture. The Spirit of God graciously brought her mind to Matthew 11:28-30. There the Lord invites all who are weary, broken and burdened to come to Him for rest. One can almost imagine the gentle Jesus stretching out His arms and warmly saying,” Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The Lord used these inspired words to speak peace to Lisa’s heart. Yet, God did more than that. This precious invitation from Christ stirred her mind to put pen to paper. Again, in her own words, I wanted to “write a song for myself and for the weary, the broken, and the ashamed.” 

The lyrics of her hymn teach us; it’s not just those who are faithful, joyful, and triumphant who are invited to come to Christ. It is also the weak, frail, hurting and struggling. Those who are dealing with the weight of sin, the burden of shame, and doubts and discouragement – are all welcome to come to Christ and find rest for the soul. Let me share just one verse from this song; “O come, bitter and broken, come with fears unspoken. Come, taste of His perfect love. O come, guilty and hiding ones. There is no need to run. See what your God has done. Christ is born, Christ is born,

Christ is born for you!” 

The music video for this song has been viewed on YouTube over two million times. Probably 40 or 50 of those was me watching and rewatching! My first thoughts about this song could not have been more wrong! It is a beautiful hymn that reminds us God welcomes us, even when we aren’t at our best. Christ invites us to come to Him in faith to find rest for our troubled souls. No, there is nothing wrong with the original song. No, the writers weren’t trying to ride the antique coattails of an old carol to fame and fortune. What the song-writers have done however, is to remind us; whoever we are, and where ever we are in life, we can come to Christ and find hope, help and healing! Christ was born. And He was born to die, so we might live! Praise Him – for He is worthy!