December 25: Come, Let Us Adore Him
♫ Music:
Friday, December 25,
Scripture: Matthew 2:7-12
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
COME, LET US ADORE HIM
The magi traveled from Palestine to the town of Bethlehem intent on worshiping the long-prophesied king of the Jews. Their journey began when they saw a star signaling the king’s birth. Imagine their joy when that same star guided them directly to Him! They were euphoric! These men “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” when the star confirmed that their purpose to revere the king would be fulfilled. They were overjoyed at the promise—indeed, the stellar invitation—to adore the king. The king they were seeking was there to be found! Let us rejoice with them!
The magi understood that this infant was foretold to be the Jewish king. They may even have understood that he was divine, or at least divinely appointed. As one ancient commentator suggested, “it was inevitable that they considered this King more glorious than the star, which devotedly paid homage to Him. What else could these men do but submit to Him when even the stars in the sky saw they were subject to Him?”
However, they could not have known the extent to which Christ would fill his royal role, that He would prove by His miracles, teaching, death and resurrection to be not only the king of the Jews but the King of Angels and the King of Kings. Indeed, no one paying homage to Christ in His humble hometown could truly have understood the extent to which this boy, still learning to talk, was due worship. Yet the magi understood this basic truth: Jesus was king. And this truth was enough for them, for great was their rejoicing!
After a long journey of heightened anticipation, the magi arrived at Joseph and Mary’s door, finally falling down and worshiping at the feet of the toddling king of the Jews. They rejoiced when they encountered Jesus under the light of that star, appointed for the purpose of guiding the Christ-seekers to Him. Thus they fulfilled their purpose in journeying, and thus their seeking ceased. Certainly they were both joyful and triumphant.
Let us pause with them, fall down alongside them this Christmas, just as they did in that Bethlehem home. Encounter this familiar story with the simplicity of the magi who lived it. The child king holds so much promise, so much potential. He is the rightful ruler but does not yet seem to rule. The magi know not what kind of leader He will be, or where He will lead his people. They know simply to seek Him and revere Him, to acknowledge His kingship. Can you feel their gratitude and joy for the very opportunity to bow to the king? Enter the wonder and worship of that ancient night, pregnant as it was with what could be and void as it was of what would eventually come to pass. Today, train your worship on Christ as the long-awaited king, for this was the wise men’s only context for Him. Come to Christ as one without knowledge of Palm Sunday, Passion Week, or the crucifixion. Adore Christ as one without the context of the resurrection, ascension and Pentecost. Adore Him because He is the promised king. Come as one whose purpose has been fulfilled, as one whose seeking is at an end.
Simply come, let us adore Him.
PRAYER
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to His people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship You, we give You thanks,
we praise You for Your great glory.
Amen.
Juliana Semione, Academic Specialist, Torrey Honors Institute
Adoration of the Magi
Arcabas
Oil on Canvas
La Tour du Pin, Isere, France
About the Artist and Art
Jean-Marie Pirot, or, Arcabas (b.1926) is a contemporary French artist. He graduated from the Fine Arts School (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts) in Paris and has had numerous exhibitions in France and abroad. He has undertaken various commissions for the French government and local authorities (mosaics, frescoes, stained-glass windows), but his major achievement is the Ensemble d'art sacré contemporain in the church of Saint Hugues de Chartreuse, begun in 1953 and completed in 1986, which has been donated to the Département de l'Isère as part of France’s cultural heritage. Many of Arcabas’ works have been inspired by the Bible.
Website: www.arcabas.com
About the Music
“O Come All Ye Faithful”
Lyrics
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.
O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father 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.
All Hail, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus, for evermore be Thy name adored!
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!
About the Hymn
The latin version of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was written by John Francis Wade (1711-86) who fled England after the 1745 Jacobite rebellion to teach music in a school for British Roman Catholic exiles in Douai, France. The English version of the hymn—translated in 1841 by the Catholic priest Frederick Oakeley--is in widespread use today. During the Victorian era, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was referred to as “the Portuguese hymn.” Some say this was because it was always sung at the Portuguese Embassy during Christmas. Others think it was originally the creation of King John of Portugal, or the opera composer Marcas Portugal.
About the Performers
The St. Olaf Choir is the premier a cappella choir in the United States with 75 mixed voices. For over a century, the choir has set a standard of choral excellence and remained at the forefront of choral artistry. Conducted by Anton Armstrong since 1990, St. Olaf Choir continues to develop the tradition that originated with its founder, F. Melius Christiansen. Since its founding in 1912, the St. Olaf Choir has served as a model for choirs of all levels. The ensemble’s annual tour brings its artistry and message to thousands of people across the nation and around the world. The St. Olaf Choir has taken 14 international tours and performed for sold-out audiences in the major concert halls of Norway, France, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, and the Twin Cities.
Website: www.wp.stolaf.edu/stolaf-choir