o come, let us adore Him

I love Christmas as I am sure everyone reading this does as well. One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is all of the Christmas bops I get to jam to. Because it is such a staple of our American Christmas, different people from different walks, seasons of life, and beliefs will play Christmas music as they drive to work or as they bake some cookies. Whether they know it or not, when an old hymn comes on, they are hearing/singing the gospel message. Do we ever stop to listen, meditate and reflect on the actual lyrics of some of these songs? They are powerful. 

Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled.” 

…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.

                      – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 

 

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices.

…The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger

In all our trials born to be our friend

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger

Behold your King; before Him lowly bend. 

                                – O Holy Night

 

Son of God, oh, love’s pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

                               – Silent Night

 

Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing

O come, let us adore Him. 

                             – O come, All Ye Faithful 

What a beautiful message that can so easily be forgotten in the nostalgic melodies, sights and sounds of the season. God desired to be one with us. He wanted nothing separating himself from his beloved, not even humanity. That required coming down to earth and becoming human so that He could relate to us on every single level. There is nothing separating us from Him now because He experienced everything we have ever experienced. What kind of God does that? The book of Philippians says this of Jesus. 

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage. rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:6-8

Take a moment to think about the humility of that, all for the sake of relationship with me and with you. Wow, thank you Jesus.

O come, let us adore Him this Christmas!