Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
All creatures and created things: be quiet, be still, be calm. Stand as you are able, though you are filled with awe, wonder, and fear; knowing your mortality. Set your mind not on the things of this world and focus on the things of your creator, for He is coming. With the promised blessing to bless all nations, He is coming. And He deserves every part of your being; every molecule, every breath, every drop of you. He, above all others, deserves your attention, honor, and your praise. He is coming.
Of all the rulers, princes, presidents and authorities, He stands above, in control, unparalleled. It has always been so. Since before your time, since before time altogether, He stood in command and rule of all. And yet He’s coming not in the regalia of royalty or the power of a ruler, but in the very flesh that He created. And those that have given themselves to Him, those who truly believe in His creating, sustaining, and redemptive power, He will give to them the most precious treasure and gift: Himself. He gives Himself to those who trust in Him as an eternal seal and spiritual anchor to unending bliss.
In the glory of His presence swirls a cloud of angelic hosts, bowed before him, never sleeping or resting, endlessly praising Him. They shout, “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Praise the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!” And their praise is not unwarranted. It’s the due praise for the Most High God.
As He comes, in full vulnerability, He brings an army to vanquish and destroy those forces that would foolishly oppose His glory, majesty and might. He is coming as a pinprick of light in a vast sea of darkness, yet brighter and more intense than any other light. He is coming not only to bring hope and light to those that are surrounded by encroaching black, but more. He comes to destroy the darkness, to rip off the veil of evil and wickedness in the world of His creation so completely it’s as if it never existed.
He is coming.
We have the excellent privilege of celebrating the first coming of Jesus Christ in a few weeks. One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the rich music that comes with it. If you take time this season to really dig into the many hymns that have grown so familiar to you over the years, I believe you will be truly blessed. There is a host of rich theology that will help you to marvel in the incarnation in a deep, meaningful way if you’re looking for it. One of the songs that we’ll be singing starting next week is a hymn called “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” which finds its roots in the 4th century. As I’ve been learning this song it has helped me reverently worship Jesus as I prepare for Christmas. I hope that you’ll give it a listen before we sing it together next week. The beginning of this post is my paraphrase of the lyrics, but the actual lyrics are below, as well as a few links to hear it from both Fernando Ortega and Red Mountain Church.
-Aaron
P.S. Sorry neither version is on Spotify, but they’re both more than worth the $.99!
Let all mortal flesh keep silence
And with fear and trembling stand
Ponder nothing worldly minded
For with blessing in His hand
Christ our God
To earth descendeth
Our full homage to demand
King of kings yet born of Mary
As of old on earth He stood
Lord of lords in human vesture
In the body and the blood
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heav’nly food
At His feet the six winged seraph
Cherubim with sleepless eye
Veil their faces to the Presence
As with ceaseless voice they cry
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
Lord Most High
Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day
That the pow’rs of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away