UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES
The Newsletter of Contend for the Faith, Inc

1 Chronicles 12:32

DECEMBER 2002

Dear Friends,

Without a doubt, Christmas is my favorite season of the year. Nothing else even comes close.

There are many reasons I love this time so much: the lights on beautiful holiday displays, special foods, gathering together with family and friends, expressing love to one another through the giving of gifts. But perhaps my favorite part of the season in the ubiquitous Christmas music played on the radio and in stores, restaurants and businesses.

Now obviously not all of the music that is played focuses on the true reason for the season. I quickly grow weary of the secular Christmas songs. But I find great joy in hearing and singing the great hymns and carols of the faith, which point people to Christ, giving the gospel message in verse and chorus. What I find most satisfying about this is that at this time of year, unlike any other, much of the world not only hears but actually listens to the biblical story of the incarnation of God the Son, Jesus Christ.

As a Christian, I am privileged to celebrate every day not only the birth but also the life, death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus of Nazareth. But the wonderful about Christmas carols is that they help those who don't know Christ to learn about who He is, why He was born, and what He offers to mankind.

One carol that I particularly love is "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." While there are many songs that tell of the birth of Jesus, this carol, written by Charles Wesley, is rich in profound theological truths. Meditate on the words of this great song of the faith:

1 Hark! The herald angels sing
'Glory to the newborn King;'
Peace on earth and mercy mild;
God and sinners reconciled.'
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph in skies;
with angelic host proclaim,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem!'
Hark the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King.'

2 Christ by highest heav'n adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord:
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th'incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Immanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King.'

3 Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King.'

Consider the doctrine packed into three short verses:

Incarnation - 'Glory to the newborn King;' Veiled in flesh the Godhead see

Deity of Christ - Christ the everlasting Lord; Hail th'incarnate Deity! Jesus our Immanuel

Humanity of Christ - Pleased as man with men to dwell

The Virgin Birth - Offspring of a virgin's womb

Salvation and Justification - God and sinners reconciled; Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Many of the greatest hymns were written by theologians who understood sound doctrine, and Wesley was a master hymn writer.

If those who are lost, those in the cults and false religions, and those unbelievers in the church like Bishop Spong will hear, embrace and place their trust in the Christ celebrated in this carol, Heaven will be more crowded and Hell less populated.

As you make merry this season and worship the Lord in song, don't just mouth the words to your favorite carols, but ponder the great spiritual truth contained in these songs. And celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness of sins to all who will come to Him in faith and receive the greatest gift of all.

Merry Christmas!

Dave

Jude 3