One of my prized possessions is a little volume entitled, Gadsby’s Hymns. It is a collection of hymns put together by William Gadsby and first published in 1814. It includes some very familiar hymns by Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley but also many that are virtually unknown to most. I was reading hymns this morning about the incarnation. Here are a few lines from one of Gadsby’s own hymns:
The eternal Word, who built the earth and skies,
Takes on him flesh, and in a manger lies;
In that dear Babe of Bethlehem I see
My God, contracted to a span for me.
Mary’s first-born was God and man in one;
David’s own God, and David’s blessed Son.
Well might the angels wing their way to earth,
To celebrate so glorious a birth.
They sang, with new surprise and fresh delights,
Glory to God, in all the angelic heights;
Surrounded with God’s glory, in a blaze
To heaven they fly, the incarnate God to praise.
Shall angels sing the honours of his name,
And sinners, saved by grace, silent remain?
Good God, forbid! Inflame us with they love,
And set our groveling minds on things above.
This God-like mystery we will gladly sing,
And own the virgin’s Babe our God and King;
Jehovah Jesus, we will thee adore,
And crown thee Lord of all for evermore.
Christmas is a time for us to joyfully proclaim the glory and wonder of the incarnation. God made flesh to redeem sinful, fallen humanity. It is not our responsibility to win an argument, wage a culture war or make sure our traditions remain unchanged. It is our responsibility to declare the wonder of the Gospel. Let’s not lose sight of our objective. I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod