21 December – Mike Gibson, Life Church Petersfield

Pleased to Dwell

‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ is a well-known. Christmas carol written by Charles Wesley and is a favourite sung every year at Christmas time. The song is based on the birth story of Jesus in Luke chapter 2 when the chorus of angels sang to the shepherds the announcement of the baby’s birth in Bethlehem. Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new born King.

The seventh line in the second verse stands out as significant (at least, to me it does); ‘Pleased as man with man to dwell’. Wesley captures the whole essence of Christmas in those few words, Jesus was ‘pleased’ to leave the glory of heaven and make His home with us. God became man, born as a baby boy and entrusted into the arms of a young mother. The gift of this newborn baby was a gift to the world. From heavenly glory to human frailty is the wonder of Christmas. He didn’t come as an afterthought or under duress but He came willingly and gladly to save us from our sin. We need a Saviour and His action demonstrates just how much He loves us. Jesus, our Emmanuel. Jesus, God with us.