“And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”  (Matthew 2:11)

This carol calls four groups of people to “come and worship Christ, the newborn king.”  The angels, the shepherds, and the Magi were all present to worship Christ as a child.  They worshiped as those who had received what was long expected yet not having fully received its fulfilment.  We, the saints, do not simply worship a child in a manger.  We know the rest of the story.  This infant who was heralded by angels, proclaimed by shepherds, and worshiped by Magi grew to manhood and became the Savior of all who call on his name. Now we, the “saints before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear,” wait for our long expect Savior’s return.  We worship him not as “the newborn king” only but as our risen King.

ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY

Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o’er all the earth,
ye who sang creation’s story
now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing,
yonder shines the infant light:

[Refrain]

Magi, leave your contemplations,
brighter visions beam afar,
seek the great Desire of nations,
you have seen his Savior star:

[Refrain]

Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord descending,
In his temple shall appear:

[Refrain]