Christmas is a holiday known for its music. Whether secular or sacred, the songs of this season are a large part of what makes Christmas feel like Christmas. Our affections and memories are stirred every year and we remember the things we cherish. We think of things like family with good days gone by and loved ones who are no longer with us. We think of decorations that inspire wonder and the enchantment of lightly falling snow. We gather together as another year passes and a new one looms on the horizon. We do all of this while singing and listening to songs.
Regardless of whatever this holiday has become to the culture around us, Christmas will always be about Christ and his incarnation. The eternal word of God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1) and this thought is worth the meditation of our hearts and the praise of our lips. The songs of advent help us express our longing and hope. Some songs have us raise our voices with the heavenly host to herald and declare the arrival of the king of kings. Still others tenderly remind us of of the unfathomable condescension Jesus experienced as Almighty God became a newborn baby. Christmas is amazing because, in Jesus, God revealed himself to humanity in the most intimate way possible. He became one of us.
In writing “Christ has Come” I wanted to write a song that would help us to specifically celebrate the incarnation of Jesus while weaving in the theme of redemptive history. The whole Bible tells one story and it is the story of God’s grace to sinful people who trust in Jesus for their salvation. Let’s look closer at this song and see how scripture shaped it.
“Christ has Come”
Before time began,
our God had a plan (Ephesians 1:3-4, Ephesians 1:11-12, 1 Peter 1:20)
to show the world his mercy,
to give the world his grace (Ephesians 2:8)
We were dead in sin,
we were blind when he came in (Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 4:4)
He came to rescue sinners,
to seek and save the lost (Romans 5:8, Luke 19:10)
Christ has come, Christ has come
The baby Mary’s holding
is the Father’s plan unfolding (Genesis 3:15, Luke 1:30-33, Isaiah 7:14)
Christ has come, Christ has come
Praise God for Christ has come!
Perfect without sin, (1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:5)
Jesus was a king (1 Timothy 6:15)
who left his throne in heaven
because of his great love (John 6:37-38, John 3:16)
Only he could save — Holy is his name (Acts 4:12)
His name is above all name,
forever and amen(Philippians 2:9-11)
Amen!
Christ has come, Christ has come
The son of heaven’s glory (Matthew 24:30)
reveals redemption's story (Romans 3:21-26)
Christ has come, Christ has come
Praise God for Christ has come!
Oh the depth and riches of
the wonder of his will (Romans 11:33)
God with us, abide with us
Abide Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23)
Christ has come, Christ has come
The Lamb of God redeemed us (John 1:29)
Praise the name of Jesus
Christ has come, Christ has come
Praise God for Christ has come!
Christ has come, Christ has come
Exalted and ascended (Acts 1:9-11, Romans 8:34)
His glory never—ending (Hebrews 13:8)
Christ has come, Christ has come
Praise God for Christ has come!
Praise God for Christ has come!
The birth of Jesus is the beginning of the gospel. And the gospel is the clearest expression we will ever have of who God is and what he is like. So this Christmas, in our songs and in our stories, let us cling to Christ and and the message of his great salvation.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16).
