2020 Advent Devotional – Day 27

Adore

O Come, All Ye Faithful
Latin, c. 18th century; translator: Frederick Oakeley

“O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!”

Video: O Come, All Ye Faithful

Reflection

If throughout these reflections you’ve been humming along to some of the more familiar carols, maybe joining in with the occasional refrain, today is the day to leave any such hesitancy behind and throw yourself into the glory of this piece. Crank up the volume, grab the words (below), and join in the congregational singing of this magnificent hymn.

As the lyrics encourage us: sing in exultation. Fill your lungs and sing. Sing until the music and the joy reach every fibre of your being. Sing loudly and triumphantly until you can’t keep the smile from your face, such is the delight of the gift of God’s love that we celebrate today.

Accept the call to greet God in this moment. For this is an all-encompassing, all-embracing invitation to praise and worship God. Everyone is welcome and we are each included in this joyful moment of adoration. As the voices of the choir soar, let any reluctance be swept away by the glory of the music and open your heart to God’s presence.

Accept the call to adore God, in wonder and awe. To pause perhaps in the silence as the organ’s majestic chords fade away, and to affirm the immensity of God’s love that we especially celebrate today. This is the God of light and hope and life, given to us to renew us and transform us. This is the God who waits to meet us, exactly where we are, and to heal us.

From the angels and citizens of heaven, to the faithful here on earth, all of us have the gift of our adoration to offer to God. A gift that God seeks out and treasures and celebrates himself, in joy and triumphant delight. Come! Witness the glory of God’s love, today and every day. Let us adore him. Hallelujah.

Reading

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him born the King of angels;

Refrain:
O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

God of God, Light of Light;
lo, he abhors not the virgin’s womb;
very God, begotten not created; [Refrain]

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;
glory to God, all glory in the highest; [Refrain]

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning:
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n;
Word of the Father, late in flesh appearing; [Refrain]

If you’re enjoying the carols each day, there’s now a YouTube playlist you can listen to that contains all the carols shared so far. The playlist will grow as the devotional series progresses, with each day’s carol being added. By Christmas Day, you’ll have the perfect soundtrack of worship and praise.  Click here to listen.