Glory to the Newborn King!

Do you have a favorite Christmas song? Hymn? Or are you tired of the endless playing of Christmas music? I hope that you're only tired of ridiculous Christmas songs, like dogs barking "Jingle Bells" and the Chipmunks crooning about their desire for Santa to bring them a hola hoop - not the incredible, truth-filled songs that proclaim the wondrous truth of Jesus' birth here on earth.

"Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" is my favorite Christmas hymn. Up until a couple of years ago, I just enjoyed enjoyed it a lot, like I did many other Christmas songs. But then, one Christmas Eve, I actually read the words of that hymn -not just sang along with them, but read them. I wrote them down in a journal I had with me at the service. Realizing what this incredible hymn proclaims about Jesus struck me - and continues to do so today.

Take a moment (I know you have it! Finals are done!) and actually read the words to "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". Stop and think about what God becoming flesh really means . . . and why He did it.

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!"

Did you catch all that incredible, Scriptural truth?!? Isn't it awe-striking, when you really stop to think about what Christmas is all about? Now that you've actually read the song, check out these verses from Scripture:

"And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. This One will be our peace." (Micah 5:4-5a)

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:15-17)

"He [Jesus] is the radiance of His [God] glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power." (Hebrews 1:3)

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

"If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." (1 John 2:1-2)

Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection was all for you. Wow. "Glory to the newborn King!"

Merry Christmas!