"King of kings, yet born of Mary
as of old on earth he stood
Lord of lords, in human vesture
in the body and the blood
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food"
Jesus is the King of heaven. He is the Lord of the earth. But he came to earth as a man - and not just a man, but a baby. Last night I was giving my six-month-old a bath and I was struck by the realization that Jesus was once a crawling, drooling, chubby little person. Amazing and completely unexpected.
"Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way
as the Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away."
After Jesus was born, angels appeared to some shepherds. These angels proclaimed the news to the shepherds - and it's recorded in the Bible for the world to know as well. A huge number of heavenly host shouted it out - "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:13-14) When I think about all the evil and injustice and suffering all around us, I long for the peace proclaimed by the angels that night. Their message brings hope to a broken world just as much today as that night so many years ago.
"At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim, with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
"Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, Lord most high!"
And then a glimpse of heaven where Jesus Christ sits on the throne surrounded by ceaseless worship. If you're going to church tonight or tomorrow, this risen, exalted powerful Jesus is why we gather, why we sing, why we hope and why we celebrate. Merry Christmas, friends!