Philipians 2:6-7 He Gave up His Throne for You
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (NIV).
I had never heard this Christmas hymn, “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” sung, but I found it in Tabernacle Hymns Number Five on page 388. I almost passed it by because the nature of the language is quite different from today’s normal speech or written words. But I found it sung by George Beverly Shea on YouTube. I listened and was captured by the depth of his voice and the meaning he gave to the words. I suggest that you go to YouTube and search for “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” George Beverly Shea. It will be well worth any effort it takes. George sings only verses one, two, and five, but they are the ones that focus on Jesus’ birth and finally on our going home to spend eternity by His side because there is room for us there.
Verse one tells us that Jesus left His throne to go to a place, Bethlehem, where there was no room in the normal places, especially for a woman about to give birth. The angels sang and heaven’s arches rang when Jesus’ came to earth to His lowly birthplace. Verse three tells us that animals and birds had homes in the forest, but Jesus was born closer to bare earth. The lyricist then takes us to the time of Jesus’ ministry when he brought freedom to His people only to be scorned. Finally in verse five, we find the angels singing and the heaven’s ringing again when Jesus proclaims His victory and calls us to be by His side for there is always room for us there.
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
Emily E. S. Elliott Timothy R. Matthews
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:
Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus!
There is room in my heart for Thee;
Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, come,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth cam’st Thou, Lord, on earth,
And in great humility:
The foxes found rest, and the birds had 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:
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:
Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus!
Thy cross is my only plea;
Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, come,
Thy cross is my only plea.
When heaven’s arches shall ring, and her choirs shall sing
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me up, saying, “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee!”
And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus!
When Thou comest and callest for me;
And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus!
When Thou comest and callest for me.