What a great song to summon the saints to place their eyes and thoughts on the King of Angels. I cannot think of a better song to put in the lineup next Sunday to usher in the Christmas season here at FBC. It is a song that you all know well, but (as is often the case) there are threads of glorious thoughts that often go unnoticed in these old Carols.
We often stop paying attention to “old songs” after the first verse. The best (but in some respects worst) example of this is the classic hymn “It Is Well”. Like many of you, I grew up in an environment where the purpose of singing hymns was to finish the song as quickly as possible. Many of you remember worship leaders who would begin the song by saying “Please stand and sing hymn number 243, ‘It is Well’, verses 1 and 4 only…” In my humble opinion, only singing verses 1 and 4 of that song literally guts the song of its best parts. I will save the breakdown of the lyrics for another post, but the point rings true with many traditional Christmas Carols.
The heart of “O, Come All Ye Faithful” is found in its 3rd and final verse. While the first and second verses are voicing the birth to other people (verse 1) and the host of heaven (verse 2) the third is a ringing statement to Christ Himeself. Directing our attention to our King, we exclaim “Hail! Lord, we greet Thee. Born this happy morning. Jesus, to Thee be all glory given!” What is great, though, is that the verse is just getting started. In a direct reference to John 1:1-14, the song affirms that He is the “Word of the Father” now appearing on earth. In flesh. The silence of heaven is broken, and Christ has come to earth.
I hope that as we sing this timeless classic this Sunday you will be struck with the truths found in the lyrics. For we were without hope. A sinful people living as enemies of God. But the Word of the Father came to earth to give His life as a ransom for many.
