We leave these Advent/Christmas posts with the inspiring and humbling—but simple—directions for every Christian. Our what, where, how, why and when is simply, “Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere that Jesus Christ is born.”

Go Tell It On the Mountain is a great Negro spiritual dating back at least to the Civil War. It was set down and published in 1907 by John W. Work. Here are the Work lyrics:

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. Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled when, lo! above the earth rang out the angels chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

Get the message and the motivation from this wonderful performance from Donna Brown and the Golden Gospel Pearls featuring Larry Jordan.

Over the past century a number of verses were substituted. Here are popular lyrics performed by Jewel that move me. You’ll love them as well:

Here the added verses in the Jewel performance:

When I was a seeker, I sought both night and day, I asked the Lord to help me and he showed me the way.

He made me a watchman upon a city wall, and if I am a Christian, I am the least of all.

Brothers and Sisters >> go out into the world and make disciples in 2013!