Day 15 – O Come, All Ye Faithful
I decided this year (with so many distractions due to the pandemic), to remind us all that Jesus really is “the Reason for the Season,” by wearing a necklace that very clearly depicts the manger scene. No one misses it wherever I go, and several have commented in appreciation.
But you know what? I hope more for all of us this Christmas. I hope we all remember Jesus this Christmas. I hope they remember the greatness of this God who came as a baby so beautifully described in this carol.
I feel awe and wonder as I listen to the words, “ born the King of angels; God of God; Light of Light Eternal; Son of God begotten, not created; Word of the Father now in flesh appearing.” And I am so grateful to be reminded in a world full of strife and anger that God, the Lord of all, is not proud, arrogant, or entitled. He “abhors not the Virgin’s womb,” but humbled Himself and was willing to come into this world He created, as a child.
John, a disciple of Jesus tells us, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). As one author writes, “In other words, the Word became flesh and pitched His tent among us.”
So as we celebrate today, let’s take a moment to realize Jesus truly is the God of the Universe, the great “I Am,” who chose to come and live among us. His desire is that we come to know Him and experience His Presence, believe, and join Him in heaven for eternity. As we, with humility and genuine love, share this message with those we meet, I pray many will receive His message and Presence. May they also experience that hope and peace that surpasses human understanding that only He can provide.
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold him, born the King of angels;
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
God of God, Light of Light eternal,
Lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created,
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above:
“Glory to God, all glory in the highest!”
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:1-13)
