Exegesis of Christmastime

While I was playing through the carols section of the hymnal today, I ran across this beautiful song. "A people in the darkness have see a great light," the verse says. And it was more than a great light -- it was THE light. The Light of the World..........

Come thou long-expected Jesus,
For years a people has been writhing in the darkness, waiting, ever waiting, with but a faint hope of this one they will call Immanuel
Born to set thy people free
It was that ever-so-human act of being born. And yet it unshackled us from the dominion of death.
From our fears and sins release us
Without you, we are crippled with fear, hamstrung by our wicked nature
Let us find our rest in thee.
In you, however, the fighting and the torment shall cease
Israel’s strength and consolation
You came to restore your people, ever feeble but ever yours.
Hope of all the earth thou art
And yet you didn’t stop with Israel…
Dear desire of every nation
…because every land needs a savior
Hope of every longing heart.
And every heart needs a king.

Born thy people to deliver
You were the promised one. You are mighty to save.
Born a child, and yet a King
You came in such an unpretentious package: veiled in the silky skin and innocent eyes of baby
Born to reign in us forever,
But you weren’t weak like a baby – you are sovereign
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
Yours is a kingdom established by peace. Yours is a rule of forgiveness, a rule that is yet undeserved
By thine own eternal spirit
And even though you ascended, we shall not mourn.
Rule in all our hearts alone
In spirit, you are the Lord over everything about us
By thine all-sufficient merit
Now, spotless Lamb of God, lover of sinners
Raise us to thy glorious throne
We wait and hope for your return. Because you came once, we know you will come again to bring us home.

By Charles Wesley