Luke 2:28-32 O Come, All Ye Faithful
“…he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory to your people’” (ESV).
This well-known Christmas Carol has been around for centuries, and its authorship has been attributed to several people including John Francis Wade, John Reading, King John IV of Portugal, St. Bonaventure, and anonymous Cistercian monks. At least five different people have been credited with writing the tune. The earliest time listed as possible for the writing of this song is the 13th century. In any case, we are blessed that O Come, All Ye Faithful has come from the mind of God to the pen of men.
The man mentioned in the Scripture above was named Simeon, a man who had been waiting to see the “consolation of Israel.” He had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would see Christ before he died. On a normal day that quickly became a glorious day for Simeon, he was led by the Spirit to go to the temple. When he saw Mary, Joseph, and the baby, Jesus, “he took him up in his arms….” After Simeon spoke the words in verses 29 to 32, he again spoke to Mary, saying, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also) so that thoughts from any hearts may be revealed” Luke 1:34-35.
There was also in the temple that day, a prophetess, Anna. She was 84 years old and spent all her time in the temple worshipping, fasting, and praying. In verse 38 we are told that “…she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
These two faithful ones not only came to see Jesus, they were the first of the faithful to “come and adore Him.” And they were joyful and triumphant. Thanks to the writer(s) of this Christmas carol, we can all come and “…adore Him, Christ, the Lord.” We can join with the choirs of angels to sing in exultation to the glory of the Lord as the “Word of the Father” appears as human flesh. He became one of us.
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;
O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him.
Christ the Lord.