The King of kings thus lay in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our Friend; He knows our need, Our weakness is no stranger, Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
Lyrics from “O Holy Night” (John S. Dwight’s translation of the French poem upon which this song is based)
During this Christmas season of 2020, I have spent more time than ever before reflecting on the words of my favorite Christmas song, “O Holy Night.” And as I’ve done so, I’ve also tried harder than ever before to lean into the reality of the words I’ve heard sung my whole life. A King in a manger. A Friend in all our trials. A Knower of all our need. A non-stranger to all our weakness. A Person whom we should behold and before whom we should lowly bend. Do I really believe these words to be true? I know I need them to be. I need a king, a leader whose power is unquestionable and whose royal robe is within my reach. And I need a friend who truly can and will share my every hardship and who will never deem my need too much nor my weakness too shameful. And I do indeed need someone to whom I can always look, come whatever may—someone before whom I can always bow, as they are ever worthy of my worship; and I need to know that the very act of bowing low to them is also the very act that can lift me higher than anything else in this world down here ever has or ever will. In other words, I need the Christ; and on that ‘o holy night,’ God gave him to me, and to you as well, in the very flesh. And because of that gift, all our weakness, whether weakness of our body or mind or soul, is indeed to him no stranger. To be known in such a way, and loved all the same, might just be the greatest gift that any of us will ever receive.
I shared your post on my FB page with a quote that touched my heart to the the very core because it’s a need that I have too. You captured that so beautifully. Thank you.
Thank you, Walinda, for telling me this! It means so very much. Happy Christmas to you my lovely friend!
Your words are so beautiful. Amazing that our King humbled himself to be laid in a manger in his Earthly beginning. Your words are reassurance that He knows our needs and He knows our struggles and that in our weakness, we can be strengthened through Christ.
Thank you, Andy, for reading and for commenting! I’m so very happy to hear from you! And I so love your words (well-said indeed)! I hope you are well. And Happy Christmas to you and your family!