“Ah, dearest Jesus, Holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart that it may be,
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.”
(“From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” LSB #358 v. 13)
I love this Christmas hymn and have used this verse as a personal prayer as well as in Sermons. It is a wonderful petition that creates a sweet picture in my mind of the Baby Jesus laying down to sleep. I find that some of my favorite prayers are the lyrics of hymns. They roll off the tongue easily, are memorable, and inspire through their poetic lyrics.
St. Paul said to the Church in Corinth, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” I Corinthians 3:16.
The above lyrics include this idea with a timely Christmas petition. As we remember the Lord’s birth this Christmas, we recognize that the Christ Child is not far off in a Bethlehem stable, but very close, as close as our own heart. This is why Jesus came to earth, to be the Immanuel, God with us!
Hopefully, whenever we sing a hymn, we are not simply reciting the words but taking them to heart, even praying that they would become a part of our lives and living. What are your favorite Christmas hymns? Perhaps you too will take them more to heart and pray that their words become part of your life as well.
Know that you are loved!
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Kilian