Christmas reflections: O Come All Ye Faithful

Index of Christmas holiday posts

O Come Ye Faithful Truck with three wise sledders, Christmas Eve, 2010

Like the magi traveling from afar, we faithfully arrived in Kirksville the evening of the 23rd, with clear roads all the way. Yet as if on cue, sunrise on the morning of Christmas Eve revealed a blanket of snow, and the beautiful, large-flaked snow continued all day!

The Christmas Eve Service at the United Methodist Church was wonderful, if for no other reason than the rare treat of singing all the verses of O Come All Ye Faithful. This carol is brim full of meaning, and ideal for reflecting upon on Christmas Day.

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.

God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo! He abhors not the Virgin’s womb:
Very God of very God,
Begotten, not created; Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God
In the highest; Refrain

See how the shepherds,
Summoned to his cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither
Bend our joyful footsteps; Refrain

Child, for us sinners
Poor and in the manger,
We would embrace thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love thee,
Loving us so dearly? Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing; Refrain

This carol is like Torrance’s reflections on Immanuel put to music!

This photo would be oh so much nicer if James, Rachel, Stephen and Jennifer were here! (More photos here.)

Merry Christmas, everyone!