A Portuguese King? Some monks who hated music? A Jacobite calling his friends to arms? Nobody really knows who wrote this wonderful Christmas song, but it is still profound and deeply meaningful for us to sing each year as we 'come to Bethlehem'.

When Isaac Watts wrote his famous song poem 'Joy to the World', it wasn't meant for Christmas time - it was based on Psalm 98 and looked at Christ's second coming. But does it work both ways? Watch and find out.

Charlotte Elliot's hymn "Just as I Am" was written in a moment of despair and sadness... and ended up being instrumental in leading countless people to the saving love of Christ!

Joseph M. Scriven's beautiful hymn of Jesus' friendship was born out of a life of tragedy. And the song was almost lost in history! Thankfully his friend chanced upon the lyrics, and now we can be comforted by the beautiful words he wrote.

George Bennard's hymn has been called 'the most popular hymn of the 20th century'. Is it your favourite? Deep words about the meaning of the cross give this hymn an enduring quality.

A Welsh classic which is still sung all around the world today. Written in Welsh by William Williams in 1745, and translated in Peter Williams a few years later, these words encourage us to keep going through our deserts, because we have a great Guide who is the Bread of Heaven and the Living Water. Amazing words!

Who hasn't sung "Great is Thy Faithfulness" with tears in their eyes? It's a great hymn of faith, and Thomas Chisolm who wrote it was a man of great faith himself.

A brilliant and deep hymn by famous Methodist hymnwriter Fanny Crosby, who was blind.

One of the most popular and powerful hymns ever written, by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873 in tragic circumstances. What words of faith!

The first classic hymn in this series! "Abide With Me" was written by the very sick Henry F. Lyte.