Bonar: a Bethlehem hymn

Sunday, December 25, 2016
    CHRISTMAS DAY
Meditation:
    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
    —Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)
Quotation:
He has come! the Christ of God;—
Left for us His glad abode;
Stooping from His throne of bliss,
To this darksome wilderness.

He has come! the Prince of Peace;—
Come to bid our sorrows cease;
Come to scatter, with His light,
All the darkness of our night.

He, the Mighty King, has come!
Making this poor world His home;
Come to bear our sin’s sad load,—
Son of David, Son of God.

He has come whose name of grace
Speaks deliverance to our race;
Left for us His glad abode,—
Son of Mary, Son of God!

Unto us a Child is born!
Ne’er has earth beheld a morn
Among all the morns of time,
Half so glorious in its prime.

Unto us a Son is given!
He has come from God’s own heaven;
Bringing with Him, from above,
Holy peace and holy love.
    ... Horatius Bonar (1808-1889), Hymns of Faith and Hope, first series, New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1866, p. 160-161 (see the book)
    See also Isa. 9:6-7; 7:14; 1 John 4:2-3; Matt. 1:23; Luke 2:4-14; 1 Tim. 3:16
Quiet time reflection:
    Hallelujah! and may the Lord richly bless you as we all receive Him in our hearts.

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