Christmas Hymn

Yesterday was a melancholy day. I always feel a little sad the day after our final church choir and orchestra Christmas concert. I suppose that's understandable. The concerts aren't ahead anymore; I'm no longer looking forward to them.

Every September we begin practicing the songs we will sing for these concerts. Week after week we pour over notes, words, timing, expression, etc... We even put in extra Saturday morning practices once a month. Yet somehow the concerts (there's four of them) still sneak up on me. And once we begin to sing/play the first song of the first concert, all four concerts are over in a flash. Rather reminds me of Thanksgiving dinner; we bake and prepare for days in advance, but once everyone sits down to eat, it's all gone in a moment.

So the Christmas concerts are over once more. They're done. I'm not quite as melancholy today. Today I'm reflecting on the music we sang. There was one song in particular, our closing song, that was my uncontested favorite. The words so well express what Christ has done for us and who we are in Him. Because of Christ, we ARE the sons of God on earth, His righteousness our worth. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Cor 9:15)!

Here it is:

Praise to God whose love was shown
Who sent his Son to earth
Jesus left his rightful throne
Became a man by birth

The virgin's baby son
All creation praised Him
God incarnate come
Come to Bethlehem

Still a higher call had He
Deliverance from our sins
Come to set all people free
From Satan's hold within

For by the sin of man we fell
By the Son of God
He crushed the power of Hell
Death we fear no more

Now we stand with strength, with power
The sons of God on earth
Faithful to the final hour
Christ's righteousness our worth

And now all praise is given
For the babe, the Son
The Savior King is risen
Christ is Lord indeed

For the babe, the Son
The Savior King is risen
Christ is Lord indeed


By Amy Grant/Michael W Smith