Each Christmas season that I have been leading corporate worship at Trinity Church, has increased my joy, wonder and delight in Jesus! The more I behold Christ, the more I come to know him, love him and desire to worship him more fully. And so goal number 1 at Christmas is this: Behold the glory of the Lord. This happens when we meditate on the wonderful truths of who Jesus is and why he came for us. There is sweet and tasty fruit that results when we pause to take it all in, to remember, reread, and retell the familiar story. In fact, each year I find myself longing to pause more and more, to slow down the hectic pace of Christmas in order to increase the sacred enjoyment and observation of it. As a worshiper, I need to reflect on the profound phrases of the familiar carols that we are singing and then sing them with a greater passion that comes from a deeper heart connection. So pause with me and consider some great words penned by Charles Wesley in my favorite Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing. From verse 2b:

Veiled in flesh the godhead see. Hail the incarnate deity. Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new born King.

This captures the wonderful truth that, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 NIV) I love to ponder the first phrase, “veiled in flesh the godhead see.” How wonderful and mind boggling is the incarnation, Jesus, fully God and fully man, the Word become flesh! John goes on to say this profound statement, “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” (John 1:18 NIV) As we behold the glory of Christ, we ought to do nothing less than glorify him by worshiping him.

My favorite recording is by Evan Wickham. Enjoy!

Bill Born