Choosing to Adore Him
Christmas music! I love pretty much all of it. Both the sacred and secular songs stir something and pull me in. I find beauty (read last week’s post) in almost every melody. And while it is fun to “deck the halls,” “jingle bells,” and “walk in a winter wonderland,” the carols that offer a sacred hush and highlight the birth of a savior are by far the highlight and, for Jesus followers, cannot be replaced. But what am I declaring when I sing about a little town called Bethlehem, joy coming into the world, shepherds watching their sheep at night, listening to singing angels, and a night that is silent?
I must admit, for the longest time Christmas music merely created a pleasant atmosphere for me — a feel-good sound filling the house. I didn’t really comprehend the heart or significance of what was being proclaimed by choirs or carolers. I used to think of the sacred advent hymns as inviting us to come and look at baby Jesus as we would admire any cute, adorable newborn. It was somehow sweet that He was laid in a feeding trough and wrapped in swaddling cloths — though I never asked what swaddling meant until I was instructed to swaddle my grand-babies. For most of my early years, the songs were just a build up to the 25th of December when I would get presents.
This Changes Everything!
Something shifted years ago when I began to ponder the word, Emmanuel. It is the Hebrew word meaning “God with us” and is one of the many names for Jesus. There is even a Christmas carol to celebrate it. I feel a bit embarrassed to say this now, but it was like I saw it all for the first time: God actually came down to dwell with us, and that is what we are celebrating at Christmas! God bridged the gap and came to us. And then I read John 1:14. It too hit me like I didn’t know such a thing was in the Bible (though I had read it many times before):
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Of course, the “Word” John was talking about was God Himself (John 1:1)! He came to distribute grace and truth to all people and give each one of us the opportunity to become His child (John 1:12)!
Since then, delightful revelations are added each Advent Season (meditate on the deep theological ponderings in each verse of Hark the Herald Angels Sing). Christmas has become truly a time of joyful reflection, discovery, and celebration: food, family, meditation, giving, and SINGING!
And It’s Personal
So, what am I NOW celebrating and singing about at Christmas time?
- I am not alone. The supernatural presence of God Himself has come from heaven.
- I am seen. He has come with His attention placed on me.
- I am understood. He has immersed Himself in all my human struggles by coming.
- I am carried. He has heavenly wisdom and strength to undergird and pass directly on to me.
- I am rescued. His gift of grace lifts me out of the places of darkness, separation, and sin where I have been stuck.
- I am offered a new future. He is leading me to a place of eternal hope. The dark things around me are temporary.
Christmas became a whole new thing once I started remembering and pondering ALL I now have because a baby was born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. God has proven His love by coming to dwell (and suffer) with humans, with me. The only thing these gifts of His presence really cost me is the “pain” of humility (admitting I need Him) and, of course, the “risk” of faith (trusting He is present now to do what He promised).
I Can Adore Him With Every Song
What a beautiful season! I can even celebrate Emmanuel with the “secular” carols. After all, they who know God is with them can most joyfully deck the halls with boughs of holly, marvel over the beauty of a decorated tree, generously give, and gratefully receive gifts. Because He has come, I can more than ever appreciate the generosity represented in Saint Nicholas, the great gift giver from the 4th Century.
So, this season I choose to come and adore Him — the baby born in a stable who came to rescue the world and me.
I will sing because God is with me!
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
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Response:
- Which Christmas Carols best represent the holiday for me?
- Where do I need a new revelation of WHY celebrate Christmas?
- Where do I need to make some adjustments in HOW I celebrate Christmas?
- Jesus, show me again, why I am called to adore you.
Choose This Day 