I woke up early this morning with a song on my mind…“Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee…” Growing up Methodist we sang good old classic hymns every Sunday, and I loved them all! “Holy, Holy, Holy!” is at the top of my BEST HYMNS EVER list, for sure!
I love church history, so here’s a bit of background on this classic worship hymn: Written in 1826 by Reginald Heber, “Holy, Holy, Holy!” is published in more than 1400 different church hymnals, and is still sung in its traditional arrangement every Sunday somewhere in the world. It is sung all year long, often as a Christmas carol and more often at Easter. He actually wrote the text for Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday after Pentecost, to honor the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Heber was educated at Oxford, served as a Vicar in the Church of England, and later as Bishop of Calcutta, where he died in 1826. His inspiration for the lyrics is from Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4:
And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, is the LORD God Almighty;
the whole earth is full of His glory.”
(Isaiah 6:3)
Day and night, they never stop saying:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come.”
(Revelation 4:8)
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for You created all things,
and by Your will they were created and have their being.”
(Revelation 4:11)
In this song and especially in these Scriptures I discover a deep desire to surrender myself at the feet of our holy God, whose glory and presence I cannot comprehend. How can I not fall face down in worship and adoration? How can I see myself “in control” of my life when I see in my heart who He truly is? He is holy and eternal. Timeless. Without beginning or end. He is the Almighty God, Creator of all things. ALL things were made by His perfect will and His creative love. His glory is everywhere! He is worthy to receive all glory and honor and power! There is none other who is higher than our loving God!
This is where I want to be in this Holy Season of waiting and expectation of the birth of our Savior…at the foot of the manger…face down…in worship and adoration…together with the angels singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!”
Dear Lord, You are the one true God, maker of heaven and earth. All of heaven sings your praises throughout eternity! All of nature sings your praises, demonstrated in the glory of your creation! And one day, O God, all the peoples of the earth will sing your praises! For one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God! Thank you for waiting patiently, Father, for you do not want anyone to perish. Help me in this season of waiting and expectation to be patient, for that glorious unfolding that begins with the birth of your Son. Amen.
Christmas blessings,
Cheryl