Every time I’ve gotten in my car this week I go to stick the Aux cord into my phone to pull back up the 24/7 Christmas station I found online. Of course, my kids won’t always let me, but Christmas music is all I want to hear this time of year. The classic carols bring back memories of the caroling party my family attended when I was young and the hymns transport me to Christmas performances past with the giant Christmas tree and hundreds of voices. I think that’s why I had such a longing even this weekend to find a Christmas program to attend.
Music is meant to speak to our souls. Certain musicians, albums or songs resonate with us because of their ability to tell a story, elicit an emotion and create a sense of being understood. Christmas songs are no different, but maybe we need to go back to hearing them as if its the first time. Because we’ve heard them for forever its easy to sing along without really thinking about the words. So I challenge you in seeking to make more of Advent, to really listen and reflect on the words of the songs.
Today and in another blog piece or two, I will share some stanzas that have struck a chord with me. The weightiness of glory in them so much more than just once a year sentimental songs. One central theme, of course, pertains to what we are celebrating – Christ the babe who has come.
But do we really get that this is God leaving His heavenly home, where there is no sin or sorrow, to take up residence here? Do you see the magnitude in His willing departure to come live among us in our sinful, brokenness in order to rescue us from it?
Let these lines sink in…
- “Veiled in flesh the God-head see, hail the incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel.” (Hark! the Hearld Angels Sing)
- “Come to earth to taste our sadness, he whose glories knew no end; by his life he brings us gladness, our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.” (Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus)
- “So God imparts to human hearts, The blessings of His heaven.” (O Little Town of Bethlehem)
The little babe wrapped in swaddling clothes clothed himself in flesh and made himself one of us for a reason. Yes, to save us. But sometimes I think we miss the implications of His incarnation.
He came to experience all that we do so He could fully identify with us in every way. Because He lived here on earth He knows what its like to be gossiped about, laughed at, misunderstood, rejected, hated and betrayed. He knows what it means to suffer – physically, emotionally and spiritually. He was separated from His Father’s love and then bore His wrath. Therefore, in our suffering and pain, He gets it. He is the great comforter and draws near to us in our need because He identifies!
But He doesn’t leave it there; that wasn’t enough. Ultimately, He came to switch identities with us. He, who was perfect and holy and sinless, took our sin and made it His. In other words, He fully took the blame for every evil action and sinful thought of every person He came to save as if it were He who did it. And in exchange He gave us His complete righteousness.
Not only did we get off the hook, but God views us according to His Son’s perfect, holy and sinless record. As my brother-in-law likes to say, “Holiness Heals Humanity.” There is no other way and this is why He came. This is mercy. This is what we are celebrating – the One who came to be like us, for us.
“O come, let us adore Him…” O Come All Ye Faithful
