December 25, 2004

O Come Ye to Bethlehem...

St Joesph's Church Hilo Selvn Chance photo

Im sure we think we know know the words to this carol... Beautiful in both the original Latin that it was composed in, as well as English... I have come to love it more and more as it seems to invite me to do that which I long to do the most... Worship God in the beauty of His holiness. I also invite the world to join me in spirit in that little cave in Bethlehem, 2008 years ago...As SmoothStone quoted in his post today

A vibrant Christianity living a religious life is a supportive element in the life of Jewish children who can see that while we believe and observe differently, belief and observance are not strange. When your neighbors attend Church with their children, you can take strength from that and attend Shul with your children.

I would take this further. For those of us that follow Jesus, a natural out growth of this discipleship is forbearance with those that believe differently. We may tell them of our faith and hope perhaps for a change in direction, but bigotry is inconsistant with the message of Jesus... Our hope in God and His Son is evidence of a truth bigger than mere religious observance, it is evidence of His Life lived from within us, We are His Body, His Physical form on earth, His Church...

The message of Christmas is more. For that Baby born in that stable to those humble people is what the world is looking for...

To the Bhuddist, He is Enlightenment
To the Taoist, He is the Beginning and the End
To the Hindu, He is the Ultimate Incarnation come to earth
To the Animist, He is the Great Creator
To the Seeker, He is the Answer
To the Humanist, He is God made Man
To the Jew, He is Messiah
To the Muslim, He is Issa The Very Word of God
To the Native Hawaiian, He is Lono, Gods Begotten One

To a lost and dying world, He is Way the Truth and the Life....

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.

True God of True God,
Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgins womb
Son of the Father,
begotten, not created;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation;
O sing,
all ye citizens of heaven 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.

See how the shepherds,
summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks,
draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither
bend our joyful footsteps;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Lo! star led chieftains,
Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense,
gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child
bring our hearts oblations.

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.


Child, for us sinners
poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee,
with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee,
loving us so dearly?

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.


Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
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.


John F Wade 1743

May this Christmas Day be a day of blessing for you and your famliy.