DAY 8

LORD OF ALL

The Christmas carol, “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” has a very simple message for us.  The first stanza ends with the words, “Christ the child is Lord of all!”  The second stanza ends with the words, “Christ the child was born for you!” Jesus Christ was not born for one ethnic group or nation.  He came for all people regardless of where you are from.

I live in Cambodia.  People here say, “Jesus is for Americans or Europeans.  We are Buddhist because we are Cambodian.”  This is simply and untrue statement.  Christ is the Lord of all and was born for everyone in every place.  Jesus’ final commission to his disciples is found in Matthew 28:18-20.  There he states:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Jesus came for all people because all people need him.  He sends out those who trust in him to spread the good news that he brought.  That good news: Jesus came to reconcile man to God by his own blood.

This Advent season, remember that Christ is for all people, nations, tribes, and languages.

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

(This carol is based on a traditional Polish Christmas carol.)

Infant holy, infant lowly, For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the child is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging, angels singing, Bells are ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the child is Lord of all! Christ the child is Lord of all!

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story, Tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, Praised voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the child was born for you! Christ the child was born for you!