The World’s First Christmas Hymn (Part II)
Continuing my discussion from last edition about the heritage of the world’s first Christmas carol…
2. THE PERVASIVENESS OF THE GOSPEL.
Paul continues: “He was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world.” (I Timothy 3:16). Jesus Christ belongs to the whole world. His name has been proclaimed among all nations. From the handful of believers, the Christian faith has covered the globe. Believers in every country proclaim Him as Lord.
The pervasiveness of the Gospel means that God Himself has spoken and people in all parts of the world have listened. Christmas belongs to all cultures. God spoke a Word to the world at Christmas, a statement from the stars, a message from the heart of the universe to itself, when “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth.” God “appeared in human form.”
3. THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST.
Paul concluded: “He was taken up to heaven. And was seen by angels”. Jesus Christ is supreme. The ascension of Christ, His reign in heaven, His coming to gather the saints into His kingdom and His eternal reign is witnessed by all the host of heaven and will be by all on earth. That promise lies in potential in the cradle of Bethlehem.
He was named as the Saviour of the world, the One who would redeem His people from their sins. He was born a baby, lived as a servant, died as a criminal, rose from the tomb, ascended to heaven and will reign supreme throughout eternity! No other religious leader in the world has this job description!
Paul wanted those early Christians to realise the great significance of what had happened in the coming of Jesus Christ to Bethlehem. He quotes their own hymn: “He appeared in human form, was shown to be right by the Spirit, and was seen by angels. He was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, and was taken up to heaven.”
This earliest hymn recalls us to our roots, to see the faith we held in childhood, our happiness of when first we believed, and to see behind the accounts the true values of life.
Many today need are troubled by multi-culturalism and the noise of other religions. They need to be troubled from their narrowness, humanism, and greed to a new life of faith, care and generosity. To accept Christ as Lord and Saviour is to see in the coming of the Baby of Bethlehem the potential for your life and for the world.
GORDON MOYES
