Who Is He?
This is the time of year when merchants display many tempting “gifts” for the season, when lights twinkle from house tops, and families plan festivities made merry with bottles of spirits. Amid the Christmas scenes adorning church and mall are seen reindeer, elves, candy cane, and snowflakes. Way in the back of a few Christmas displays one can pick out a nativity scene, with a baby lying in a cradle. The song writer asks,
“Who is He in yonder stall,
At whose feet the shepherds fall?”
Well might the world wonder. With all the excitement over Christmas cheer and Christmas gifts, there has been little time to reflect on the things of God.
“’Tis the Lord! oh wondrous story!
‘Tis the Lord! the King of glory!”
A lot of time is spent contemplating the latest gadgets and toys that will be in style for a short time, before fading into obsolescence. How much time is spent contemplating “the King of Glory,” who reigns for all eternity?
“Who is He who from His throne
Rules through all the worlds alone?”
Excitement builds as children jostle forward in line at the mall to meet Santa Claus. Little ones lie awake Christmas Eve in hopes of hearing reindeer hooves on the roof. Do we look forward to the coming King with as much excitement?
“Who is He the gathering throng
Greet with loud triumphant song?”
One would think, by the indifference most people show, that there would be a relatively small throng to greet the coming King. But, no! This is the throng described in Revelation 7:9-10,
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Will you be part of that throng? Yes, the world may remember a small babe lying in a manger so many years ago, but that is far from the Gospel. The Gospel involves a Savior, a cross, and an empty tomb.
“Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?”
Salvation involves far more than celebrating a nativity. It necessitates submission to a risen Lord. It is our prayer at this time and throughout the year that men would cease their busy pursuit of the world’s glitter, and ask,
“Who is He who from the grave
Comes to succour, help, and save?”
The answer, of course, is,
“’Tis the Lord! oh wondrous story!
‘Tis the Lord! the King of glory!”
Our response to the coming King is described in the final lines of the song.
“At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!”