When I was a kid, I thought December was the most wonderful time of the year. Everything was decorated so festively and what better way to celebrate than a break from school? I get the same giddy feeling every year when we decorate our home for Christmas. The difference now is that each year I notice myself getting more easily stressed. I’m sure it has to do with all the different roles I take on every year but sometimes I just feel like banning myself to a dark room and locking the door. Admittedly, I have not been the most pleasant person lately. I know my friends, family and coworkers would likely disagree, but I see the inside of myself and it’s such a mess in there. Maybe it’s stress, maybe it’s my PTSD, maybe I’m overworked, maybe it’s all my fault because I just take on too much. Whatever it is, I can’t deny this sense of urgency and responsibility to bring myself and others closer to Jesus. An urgency that tugs at my heart every time I take a breath.

Urgency… I started thinking earlier about what would qualify as urgent during Christmas. I’m sure there are many of the same things on everyone’s list of priorities during this time of year, but I can’t think of anything more important than praising God for the beautifully amazing gift of Jesus Christ. I think that’s exactly what John Francis Wade (author, attributed) was trying to convey when he wrote O Come, All Ye Faithful. As you read through these lyrics, read them with a sense of urgency and importance for praising God.

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!

O Come All, Ye Faithful, Verse 1 & Refrain

An invitation to come to Bethlehem and see the Messiah. Until Jesus came, the majority of Jewish people thought the Messiah would come as a great and powerful warrior to overthrow the Roman occupation. They thought the Savior would slay the enemies and oppressors of God’s people and they would live freely forever. I can see some of them sharpening their knives, ready to fight alongside this Messiah. But He didn’t come as a mighty warrior, to be decorated with awards and conquer in hand to hand combat. He came as a baby, to be adored and provide a way to Heaven by conquering the grave.

God from true God, and
Light from Light eternal,
born of a virgin, to earth He comes!
Only-begotten Son of God the Father

O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!

O Come All, Ye Faithful, Verse 2 & Refrain

Can you imagine actually getting to meet Jesus? I mean, God the Father is a Spirit who can’t be visibly seen by human eyes (John 4:24, 1 Timothy 1:17). Even those in the Old Testament, like Moses and Abraham, didn’t see God in His true form. So to see God in the flesh of a baby must have been something super special. A true miracle, because Jesus isn’t just a version of God, He is God. He is THE eternal Light. From start to finish, He is a miracle. And who doesn’t want to witness a miracle?

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest

O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!

O Come All, Ye Faithful, Verse 3 & Refrain

We touched on this in the first post of this series. Angels rejoiced and their praises filled the land of Judea. I see this verse as yet another invitation. An invitation to join the angels in crying out their praises to God for such an amazing gift.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing

O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!

O Come All, Ye Faithful, Verse 4 & Refrain

How do we answer this invitation? “Lord, we greet thee.” Have you greeted Jesus this holiday season, or have you allowed the busyness and chaos of it to overwhelm you? If you’re in that latter group, don’t feel bad. There are so many in that same boat, including myself. You are not alone, friend! But, you do have a choice. Consider this an invitation to set everything aside and worship and adore Jesus. Devote some quiet time, especially in the busy seasons of life, to just talk to Jesus and tell Him how thankful you are that He volunteered to be born in the flesh and live life fully knowing what awaited Him on the cross.

O Come All Ye Faithful by Reawaken Hymns

Inviting You to Refocus Your Soul, to Expand God’s Kingdom & Find His Blessings, ❤ Renee

Disclaimer: All lyrics within my posts are from the original versions available on Hymnary.org. Seeking Him Ministries is not affiliated with this organization in any way.