“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
“He is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14
During this time of year when we naturally think of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the lyrics from this moving hymn (below) will remind you, I sincerely hope, of the simplicity which surrounds the nativity scene of our Lord. His birth place was a rough-hewn wooden stable, populated by farm animals, and with all the sights, sounds, and smells that might be commonly expected in such a place. The hymn-writer states so very plainly the truth about this child,
Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging, angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all. Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Flocks are sleeping; shepherds keeping, vigil till the morning new, saw the glory, heard the story, tidings from a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you. Christ the babe was born for you.
Moreover, the Apostle John proclaims, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Both the Scriptures and our hymnody speak to the truth of how Jesus Christ entered time, space, and history. He came so that he could live under the yoke of the law, that he could keep the law perfectly, and that he could become a sacrificial substitute for his people according to the law (cf. Rom. 3:24-26; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13-14). We have so very much to celebrate! Let us give praise to God the Father for sending forth his Son, Jesus Christ!
–Pastor Marcus Serven
Source: Trinity Hymnal. Revised Edition. Atlanta, GA: Great Commission Publications, 1990. #216 “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”