The Plumb Line: O Holy Night

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

I just love the songs of Christmas . . . at least the ones that speak of the miraculous birth of my Lord. At the time of His birth, the world was looking for Him. The little Jewish girls dreamed of being the "chosen" one who would be God's appointed mother of the Messiah. The prophets, the seers and all were looking for something "big" to happen – the earth and the heavens were all pointing to a major event.

And then it happened . . . "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" and He appeared clothed in flesh, and was found by angels and shepherds wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Was this a holy night? Was it a night divine? Of a certainty, there could be no other word to describe this night filled with the rejoicing in heaven and on earth at the news of the birth of the Saviour!

O Holy Night

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt His worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder beams a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from the Orient land
The King of kings lay in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need
To our weakness no stranger
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! before Him bend!

Truly he taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus rise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord
Then ever, ever praise we
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim

Look at the second verse of this age-old carol originally written as a poem by Placide Clappeau in 1847 and translated from French to English by John S. Dwight . . . "The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our Friend. He knows our need; to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King, before Him lowly bend." Here the poet confronts us with the greatest irony of all . . . the King of Kings was born as an infant in a lowly manger in a stable with animals; He lived a life of poverty, faced scorn, and was crucified with thieves. Nevertheless, we bow before Him because He is the King of Kings.

This old Christmas song, like so many other traditional carols, seems to share the entire Gospel in a few short verses. The author very powerfully summed up the purpose of such a holy night in the third verse saying, "Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, And in His name all oppression shall cease." God taught us to love one another and to love even those who are unlovable, from those held in man's highest esteem to those in the lowliest positions. Even though we no longer have slavery in this country, we still have prejudice and persecution. We should demonstrate God's love to all of those around us. Like Jesus Christ, we must model love, humility, and a servant's heart.

Are we a model of Christ's love, humility and servant's heart? This is a question we should ask ourselves every day!

Love: Does His love flow through me to everyone with Him I come in contact each and every day?

Humility: Am I content with whatever circumstances I find myself in?

Servant's Heart: Do I live to give rather than live to receive?

May we all fall on our knees, behold our King, and praise His holy name forever while daily seeking to behold Him as we grow to become a model of Christ's love, humility, and servant's heart! What better way to share the Good News of today's verse . . . "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Father, I come before You, Lord, in adoration and worship, with praise in my heart for allowing me to comprehend just a little more fully the mission of that holy night . . . to set an example for my life in love, humility, and a servant's heart. Father, let these words pierce my heart daily, challenging me to be all You have created me to be. Father, let my heart, mind, and soul glorify You as I fall on my knees beholding my King! Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your Son, my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen and Amen!

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)