Sunday, December 30, 2018

Devotion

1Of the Father's love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore.

2Oh, that birth forever blessed,
when the virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race,
and the babe, the world's redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore.

3This is he whom seers in old time
chanted of with one accord,
whom the voices of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
now he shines, the long-expected;
let creation praise its Lord
evermore and evermore.

4Let the heights of heav'n adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing;
pow'rs, dominions, bow before him
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
ev'ry voice in concert ring
evermore and evermore.

5Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unwearied praises be:
honor, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory
evermore and evermore! Amen.

If you live in a cold climate, like I do in Ohio, you aren't hearing much outside these days except for the biting wind blowing outside your window. The birds have all flown south for the winter. What animals are around don't make much noise at all. Winter is a quiet time in cold climates. Yet this hymn calls for "every tongue" to join in extolling our God and King. The scriptures delight in celebrating that God's coming among us at Christmastime is not just about human salvation, but about cosmic salvation. Jesus came to save the whole cosmos from its bondage to decay. We truly have a reason to celebrate this day. And perhaps these days even those of us who live in cold climates can even imagine that the howling winds and blowing snow are joining in celebration of our God and King.