Saturday, December 6, 2008

Glory to the newborn King!

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
"Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

I was really moved this week by the Christ-centered nature of these lyrics. This season especially, I feel the conviction and weight of celebrating and glorifying Jesus. How worshipful are some of these christmas songs that I have sung all my life, but never sang with the full impact of their messages? I get it now. What a miracle! Not the miracle of the word made flesh, although that is a miracle, but the miracle that the Creator of the world considered it His joy to come to earth, fully God and fully man (not half and half), and die for me. Who am I?

My hope for you this season is that with all that is good and right about Christmas, you might not miss the weight, beauty and nearly unbelievable miracle that is the incarnation.

God in the flesh. Jesus Christ fully God, fully man!