The Christmas celebration invites us to proclaim the promised Messiah and the amazing beauty of Jesus’ birth. Each year as we begin our preparation in Advent, I enjoy the songs we sing that are limited to a certain season. Though, I must admit I sing these songs “out of season,” because there is something special about them.
Since I can remember, a Latin hymn translated into English in the 19th Century has been my anthem during the Advent and Christmas season. The chorus has become a centering phrase in my times of prayer, meditation, and study. John Francis Wade penned the lyrics and music for O Come, All Ye Faithful in the 18th Century. In this powerful hymn we proclaim the invitation for us to experience the Christ Child born in Bethlehem:
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!
The chorus calls us to:
O Come Let us Adore Him;
O come Let us Adore Him;
O Come Let us Adore Him,
Christ, the Lord!
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines adore: “to worship or honor as deity or as divine; to regard with loving admiration and devotion.” When I sing this great hymn, I stand in awe of the wonder, power, and love of Christ. As I cry out “O come let us adore Him,” it is an inner cry to come away from the busyness of life and to bow at the feet of Jesus in adoration and praise. In Isaiah 26:8-9 we read, “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.” As I adore the Lord, I proclaim that He is Christ the Lord!
When we lose our focus on Jesus, we need to be reminded to worship Him. We need to be reminded of who Jesus is as this hymn invites us to proclaim:
God of God, Light of Light…very God, begotten not created
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing
How are you making time each day to “adore Him” in corporate worship, quiet times at home, and living the life of a disciple? Do you hear the invitation to center yourself on “adoring Christ the Lord?” Though a Christmas song, I want to invite you to listen to O Come, All Ye Faithful and hear the invitation to worship, adore, and seek Jesus in your life each day.
Prayer: Jesus, I adore you. You are beautiful, loving, faithful, and holy. I am in awe of you and desire to feel your presence each day of my life. When life becomes busy and I begin to push you out, bring back to my mind these lyrics inviting me to adore you as Christ the Lord. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.