“Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty; God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.” R. Heber
The scene repeats each Christmas Eve. Clad for the climate, aunts, uncles, and cousins pile onto the flatbed for the annual family hayride. We’ve hardly left Uncle George’s driveway when someone starts to sing, and for the next several hours, the streets are filled with strains of Christmas joy.
One evening, as our family’s rousing rendition of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” drew to a close and we rounded the corner of Oak and Elm, my almost-three year old offered the next selection. “‘Holwy, Holwy, Holwy.’ I want to sing ‘Holwy, Holwy, Holwy,’” she sweetly suggested. She knew no better. “Holy, Holy, Holy” had been my song of choice during her many diaper changes, and since we were singing about Jesus, surely that song should be sung.
Not wanting to crush her Christmas spirit, Cousin Gary’s tenor set the tone, and the entire clan belted out all four verses.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity.
“Holy, Holy, Holy” calls us to consider the cause of Christ’s coming—to look beyond the what to the why. In perfect power, God created a sinless world. In perfect purity, He pushed our sinful selves away. But in perfect love, He came here so we could draw near. God’s holiness makes Christmas mandatory if we are ever to see His majesty. “Perfect in power, in love, and purity.”
Something huge had to happen for us to be with Him, and our “merciful and mighty” God made it happen. The Father sent the Spirit to set the Son in the womb of a virgin. “God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.” Our holy God has always been. Our holy God will never end. And because His bundle of holy grace arrived on Christmas, we can worship Him forever. “Who wert and art and evermore shall be.”
As our family finished the final refrain, my little girl was beaming.
And so was our holy God.
As you ready your heart to celebrate this Christmas season, consider the carols we sing and savor. Amid familiar titles and tunes, discover new depths of delight and be reminded of your reason for rejoicing.
“Early in the morning—and late into the evening—our song shall rise to Thee.”
