Ronald Stephens has written some reflections as he looks toward Christmas at his church. I really enjoyed what he said at the end of the post, especially this first sentence.
Every good hymn is a sung confession of the Word of God. It works in concert with the Scripture readings and liturgy of the Divine Service, and mines the depths of God’s Word to bring Jesus to you. A good hymn proclaims Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection for sinners, for us. The same is true of Christmas carols, and “O Come, All Ye Faithful” is no different. Here we sing of the Child of Bethlehem, born in our flesh to redeem us.
So as you sing the carol this year, remember that what you sing rolls St. Luke 1 & 2, St. John 1 & 10, Colossians 2, and the Nicene Creed into one hymnic confession. Think for a minute what that means. As you sing, you are confessing that to redeem you, almighty and eternal God Himself took on flesh of your flesh and bone of your bone to be your very Brother. He becomes Man to join with you in your misery, to bear the load of your sin, to bear your punishment. God has become Man for you. Jesus has wrapped Himself in your flesh and placed Himself under the tree of the Cross for you. And by the death, resurrection, and ascension of the enfleshed eternal Son, your human nature is exalted to the right hand of the Father. There, Jesus intercedes for you as He prepares a place for you in His Kingdom.
Every good hymn is a sung confession of the Word of God. It works in concert with the Scripture readings and liturgy of the Divine Service, and mines the depths of God’s Word to bring Jesus to you. A good hymn proclaims Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection for sinners, for us. The same is true of Christmas carols, and “O Come, All Ye Faithful” is no different. Here we sing of the Child of Bethlehem, born in our flesh to redeem us.
So as you sing the carol this year, remember that what you sing rolls St. Luke 1 & 2, St. John 1 & 10, Colossians 2, and the Nicene Creed into one hymnic confession. Think for a minute what that means. As you sing, you are confessing that to redeem you, almighty and eternal God Himself took on flesh of your flesh and bone of your bone to be your very Brother. He becomes Man to join with you in your misery, to bear the load of your sin, to bear your punishment. God has become Man for you. Jesus has wrapped Himself in your flesh and placed Himself under the tree of the Cross for you. And by the death, resurrection, and ascension of the enfleshed eternal Son, your human nature is exalted to the right hand of the Father. There, Jesus intercedes for you as He prepares a place for you in His Kingdom.
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