January 4 - Angels from the Realms of Glory

Hymnologists Harry Eskew and Hugh McElrath compliment James Montgomery, the author of "Angels from the Realms of Glory," by arguing that his hymns capture "the enthusiasm of the Wesleys [Charles and John] and the churchliness of [Isaac] Watts." One can see this combination of intellectual reflection and emotive response at work in this hymn. The text relates the birth narrative, combining scenes from Luke's and Matthew's gospels, but also commands a response from the Christian singing it. Come and worship Christ, the newborn King!

This hymn models good interpretive practice of Scripture for us. We are not called simply to hear/read and understand the gospel, or even to accept it as "true" (whatever we mean by that), but to be transformed by the story through the community of the Church and to enact with all the saints the hope, justice, and mercy of God's kingdom now residing with us on earth.

While working for a newspaper in Ireland, James Montgomery was arrested twice for speaking out forcefully on behalf of the oppressed around him. One of his arrests came after he criticized a local magistrate for forcibly dispersing a political protest. He was an abolitionist and an advocate for child workers who were being exploited. Montgomery did not view the gospel as historical information but as moral imperative that compelled him to passionately pursue the way of Jesus.

We no longer sing Verse 5 of Montgomery's hymn, most likely because we are uncomfortable with the topic of sin. To be fair, I believe this discomfort stems from widespread misunderstanding of what sin is. Here in America we have often appropriated the biblical concept of sin and used it to prop up our cultural mores. We have used the Bible as a weapon to reinforce what makes us comfortable, rather than spending our energy trying to discover what the Spirit of Christ has to tell us about sin and mercy. At its core, Incarnation is about God's willingness to go to any length to defeat the power of sin in our lives and to free us for joyful obedience. Perhaps Christmas is a time to rediscover what Jesus came into the world to change. Perhaps if we pay attention this year we can reorient ourselves towards the love ethic of Jesus, and allow it to transform not just the way we view Scripture, but also the way we live our lives. It does no good to hear the song of the angels, to see the light of Jesus' star, without allowing the truth of God's loving purpose to compel us in our daily living. We have to come and worship the newborn King, and then go out to proclaim the gospel that while we were yet sinners, Christ came and died for us, proving God's everlasting love for humanity, and that this same God calls us to follow him in his mission to turn the world upside down. That's good news worth singing about!

You are encouraged to enter into a time of silent confession and meditation followed by the closing prayer.

Closing Prayer
Incarnate God, who came that we might understand the kind of abundant life you desire for us, free us from our cultural captivity this Christmas. Give us a new glimpse of the radical love with which you call us to live. Help us be good news. Amen.


Angels from the Realms of Glory (Celebrating Grace #126)

Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant light:
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen his natal star:
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In his temple shall appear.
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you—break your chains:
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Though an infant now we view him,
He shall fill his Father's throne,
Gather all the nations to him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

All creation, join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising,
To th'eternal Three in One:
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Rev. Stephen Stacks