“The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:1–3
If you like these reflection/devotionals on Christmas Hymns please note a couple of things…these were outlined years ago as I had planned to preach some of them during Advent, which I did then…but secondly, thinking through the history and the reasons the authors wrote the song often is inspirational and encouraging, at least to some this time of year when it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and the grief and forget Advent is a time to focus on waiting. David proclaims, “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!(Ps. 27:14)(also, this morning I would like to recommend a most recent addition to the Christmas Hymn history and devotionals- LESSONS FROM CAROLS, by Timothy Mulder [Ruling Elder, Southside Presbyterian Church, Corpus, Christi] 2025. Excellently informative and in most places devotional. Find all of his books on Amazon and Godreads)
But back to this morning in my prayer time the passage below (Is. 61:1-3) hit me and I was left with the assurance that Christ came to fulfill everything listed in these hopeful prophetic words from Isaiah. But then I thought of His humble beginnings and I marveled even more…that He IS the God and Savior spoken of here and that He came into this world in a most unexpected way. (unexpected from our perspective, that is.)
Putting these two truths together I was also left thinking that while Mary nursed Him, she also depended on Him for her next breath and her eternal salvation. Though vulnerable and in need of Mary’s motherly comfort as a newborn, it was Him who came to comfort all who mourn, including Mary. O, holy and profound mystery—a Newborn Child has come to make all things new.
The song What Child Is This? captures some of this awe of these two truths…that He is God who came to save us and also a man with a humble beginning so that He could save us.
What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Even as a baby, the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord was there and on Him, for He IS the Sovereign Lord—the King of Kings and LORD of Lords. He is the One by whom all oppression will be stopped and all chains will be broken, on THAT DAY…the One through whom injustice will give way to justice.
By Him, mourning is transformed into gladness, broken hearts become whole hearts, and despairing hearts become joy full hearts. We, who should have been the disfavored, become the favored of the Lord. Our disgrace is replaced with full grace which does not let us stay as we were. Who possibly could’ve seen, known, and believed such a thing, given the circumstances of His birth?
Why lies He such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
As surely as He was placed in an unlikely crib, He would be nailed to an undeserved cross. Hail the incarnate deity—born that we no more may die, died that we may truly live. We worship Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Sovereign Lord of all the earth…the Christ, the son of Mary. And we come with our hearts to worship and adore Him.
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary.
God Bless y’all today.
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
