As I end this Christmas season with a final carol, I was so touched by the words of one that is probably not on your normal repertoire of songs. Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne* shares not only the birth of Christ, but what he left on our behalf to fulfill the will of God the Father.
The humble Christ child, was anything but a mere child — he was the Word of God, one with God, King of all kings. He left it all to come to earth for our sake. He left heaven’s glory to be rejected by those he came to save.
He was rejected from the moment of his birth — no room in the inn.
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room For Thy holy nativity.
As he began his ministry, he had no place to call home.
The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest In the shade of the forest tree; But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee.
As he proclaimed the Kingdom of God, he was rejected yet again — rejected to the point of the cross.
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word That should set Thy people free; But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn, They bore Thee to Calvary.
The ultimate question and point of this song is: When Christ returns in victory, will he find you among those who have accepted or rejected?
When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing, At Thy coming to victory, Let Thy voice call me home, saying “yet there is room, There is room at My side for thee.”
There are two choruses to this hymn. One allows you, even today, to open your heart to Jesus. Make room for him today in your life. Put an end to the rejection you’ve allowed to go on too long, before it’s too late.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee.
The second reflects the joy that comes in having accepted the salvation He so freely offers.
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest and callest for me.
He has come. He has died. He has risen. He will come again. Have you accepted that truth or rejected? I pray this Christmas season, that your heart has made room for the One who left His throne for you.
Merry Christmas
*WORDS: Emily E. S. Elliott, 1836-1897. MUSIC: Timothy R. Matthews, 1826-1910.