Glory to our newborn King!

For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. Isaias 9:6

And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:1-5, 9-14

Glory to our newborn King!

Born in a dark, cold cave
Light of the World,[1]
Word made Flesh[2]
of humble handmaid[3]
King of kings
made Himself poor[4]…
sinners’ slave,
miscreants’ knave…
crucified
on wooden stave

Born in abject
poverty
of lowly handmaid’s
virginity
Fruit of the womb
conceived without sin[5]
for them no room
left in the inn[6]
for Him
the Star
of Bethlehem,
the King
by Whom
mankind was made,[7]
by Whose Blood
our debt was paid[8]
Nowhere
for the Son of Man
to lay His regal crown,
no place, no space
for His Grace,
Savior of the human race,
in King David’s town[9]…
a lowly shepherds’ stable,
all that could be found
for the Good Shepherd…
Humility profound[10]

Star shone brightly
overhead[11]
o’er Bethlehem
House of Bread,
illuminating
Infant’s bed,
wooden trough
from which
beasts were fed,
ox and ass[12]
in Master’s shed,
His parents
tears of joy;
Word Made Flesh,
our Living Bread,[13]
Magnificent
Baby Boy!

Shepherds hasten
from field nearby[14]
to worship Him
the prophets’ cry,[15]
the Good Shepherd,[16]
the Lamb of God,[17]
Divine Son
cloaked in human bod;
pious retinue
gathered ‘round
brilliant Babe
hallowed ground
in humble homage,
they bowed down

How can this be?
Eternal Wisdom,
Infinity,
Maker of
land and sea,
housed within
tiny body
of flesh and blood;
the Incorrupt,
the Most Holy,
dons corruptible humanity,
bearing Adam’s depravity,
clothed in the habit
of sinful man,[18]
the Alpha and Omega,[19]
who can understand?
the Beginning and the End,
who can comprehend?
that the Son of God,
the Most High,
most low does condescend.

Hark! the herald
angels sing;
Glory to
our newborn King
we render Him
hymns of praise,
to Him we tender,
our hearts, we raise
Sursum corda!
to Christ our King:
Wonderful,
Counsellor,
God the Mighty,
Prince of Peace,[20]
Joy of heaven and earth,
Maker of His Blessed Mother,
Divine Child of Virgin Birth

What mind can grasp?
what eye can see?
who can fathom
the depth,
the riches,
the sublimity,
the wonder of
this Mystery,
the Majesty,
the Magnanimity,[21]
God’s ineffable Charity,[22]
Thy great Gift
to humanity…
O Most Blessed Nativity!

Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honour, and power, and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.[23]

• [1]. Cf. John 1:4, 9, 8:12.
• [2]. Cf. John 1:14.
• [3]. Cf. Luke 1:48.
• [4]. Cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9.
• [5]. Cf. Hebrews 4:15.
• [6]. Cf. Luke 2:7.
• [7]. Cf. Psalm 99:3, John 1:3; Colossians 1:16.
• [8]. Cf. Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7.
• [9]. Cf. 1 Kings 17:12; Luke 2:4.
• [10]. Cf. Philippians 2:7-8.
• [11]. Cf. Matthew 2:2, 9.
• [12]. Cf. Isaias 1:3.
• [13]. Cf. John 6:35, 51.
• [14]. Cf. Luke 2:15-16.
• [15]. Cf. Isaias 7:14, 9:6; Micheas 5:2; Malachias 3:1; Zacharias 9:9.
• [16]. Cf. John 10:11, 14.
• [17]. Cf. John 1:29.
• [18]. Cf. Philippians 2:7; Romans 8:3.
• [19]. Cf. Apocalypse 1:8, 21:6, 22:13.
• [20]. Cf. Isaias 9:6.
• [21]. Cf. Romans 11:33.
• [22]. Cf. John 3:16; Romans 5:8; I John 4:10.
• [23]. Apocalypse 7:12.