In order to reflect on today’s carol, Love Came Down at Christmas,* I listened to it on the Youtube link below, and I was blown away … in worship. I love the words of this song, which is from the poem by Christina G. Rossetti.
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and to all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
What did we know of God’s love until we saw it in the flesh? Love incarnate. God, who is love, revealed true love, agape love, to us through the coming of Christ. While mankind knew the benefits of a loving God in the world around them, in God’s earthly provision of food, water, air, nature, family and friends, his holiness kept the fullness of his love at bay.
The coming of Christ was the first sign that love was being made available, ultimately breaking through to sinful mankind through the horrific self-sacrifice on the cross. Love killed, love revealed, love restored, and love freely given.
When love came down that Christmas, the world would never be the same. Yes, wars continue, death cuts short, hurts cause pain, but love triumphs over all. Love gives hope, when love is chosen, when Christ is chosen.
Has love come down into your heart? Has he rocked your world? Choose love, revealed to us through the incarnate Christ, and worship.
Merry Christmas
*WORDS: Christina G. Rossetti, 1830-1894. MUSIC: Traditional Irish Melody; harm. David Evans, 1874-1948.