My favorite Christmas song is “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley. There are so many brilliant truths in the song, but one that really struck me this season was this:
Mild He lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
I think that this is the time of year when glory is hard to lay by the wayside. We dress up, we wear more sparkles, we decorate, we host parties, we eat well. We go on vacation to enjoy ourselves.
And yet, the King of Glory laid aside the glory that was His alone, and took on our mangled humanity in a manger. At the core of this glamorous season is the exact opposite story: the God of the universe who cast aside His glory to meet us in our brokenness.
How hard is it for us to lay aside our own glory? I’ve asked myself this many times, and still fall short. I don’t like to not receive credit for what I’ve done. I don’t like to speak and have no one listen. I don’t like dressing up without receiving compliments. I want to be known, understood and appreciated.
Glory is a tricky thing to surrender. It can sometimes be excruciating. While we might start with the glitter, gems and bright lights– and find those relatively easy to lay aside– we struggle with those internal things. Approval. Pride. Praise. Recognition.
Those are things I hate to set aside, even for a season. It’s hardest for me when the questions come from friends and acquaintances:
“What are you doing with your college degree?” I’m laying aside my glory.
“You should update your look.” No, I’m laying aside my glory.
“Why don’t you make more money?” Because I’m laying aside my glory.
“Do married women get far in any real career?” It doesn’t matter; I’m laying aside my glory.
As you can see, this is hard. To each of these questions, I want to offer an indignant answer that defends my choices, my abilities, and my heart. I want to defeat that sense of inferiority, that I’m not enough. But instead, I’ve been called to abandon my own glory, just as in Jesus, God did.
And in so many ways, there is freedom in laying aside our own glory in order to be amazed by His. We are freed from the pressure to be glorious— something that we can’t actually achieve. We are freed from the need to create glory— with our tacky possessions and sparkly adornments. We are freed to be ourselves, and to be called to a more perfect self, which Jesus offers us in Himself.
A pretty Nativity ornament I saw at the shop!
Have you read or heard the full version of Wesley’s song? I’m pasting it here and highlighting my favorite lines!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ, by highest Heaven adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving pow’r,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Charles Wesley, 1739
Do you have a favorite Christmas song? What are some things that are hard for you to lay aside?
What a wonderful post, Daisy! You’re right, they can be hard to lay aside. Pride can easily hide in our hearts and actions, without us recognizing it. Thank you for sharing and the reminder!
What a beautiful song and a great reminder on what Christmas is really about. Happy Holidays, Daisy! xx
lovejoanna.com
This is a really great Christmas post! You bring up such good points about us having difficulty laying things to the side, especially during this type of year. Even though I know gifts are always loved by people because it’s the thought that counts, I have a hard time “laying aside” the fact that I can’t spend the amount of money I’d like on my loved ones. Thanks for this beautiful reminder that it’s not worth getting caught up in!
What a fabulous Christmas post! I love the song too…it’s truly a great reminder of what Christmas and life in general should be all about! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful Christmas!
Jasmin xx
http://www.whatdefinesus.com
This is my favorite Christmas song too! Definitely absolutely my #1 song. I love the way you broke it down. Wonderful reminder this Christmas season.
It’s so easy to get caught up in all the Christmas shopping and decorations that we forget the true meaning of Christmas! It’s so great to be reminded and that’s why that song is one of my favorites as well! It really reminds you what it’s all about!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Great post girl, good reminded for this time of the year!
Morgan
http://www.eenymeenyminymorgan.blogspot.com
I have a streak of jealously in me. Not when it comes to my relationship, but when it comes to how my some day mother in law treats me as apposed to Joshua’s brothers girlfriend. There’s an obvious dislike geared toward me and it’s so hard not to snap and bring it up. But I remain calm and collective somehow. I guess I need to worry less about it. Just like it go away. That would make the entire situation better. Have great holiday Daisy! (:
http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com
I’ve never heard that song! I’m gonna listen to it now 🙂 Happy holidays to you!
Very nice blog by the way 🙂
Kisses from Russia,
Juliet
http://www.julietpolilova.com
Setting aside your glory is a difficult thing and you described it beautifully. I found you through project peony, and I am so glad I did. Hark the herald angels sing, is my favorite song too!
Cant wait to see more of your blog.
Lacey
The Simple Bride
So beautifully written Daisy and so very true. The way you describe setting aside our glory is very difficult when you really think about it. It’s hard to do anything without wanting approval from others or at least acknowledgement. I love how your posts always make me think a bit harder…it’s definitely appreciated 🙂
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
Those lyrics are definitely heavy hitting for me. It can be really hard to lay glory aside over breaks… especially when so many people are asking me how school is going, what my plans are for after graduation, etc. Not that things are going super gloriously to begin with, but there’s always a temptation to make things sound better than they really are. So, yeah. I definitely agree. Giving up our glory is hard, but it’s totally what we are called to do. Nice post!
Christmas songs cause many of us to reflect on spiritual matters in a profound way. That’s a good thing. In regular life, most people ignore the deeper issues as they bustle about in a somnambulist state.
This is really good! I have sung these carols so many times without really paying attention to the words. Thank you for sharing this closer look at the real meaning. It is SO HARD to lay aside your glory.
Whenever Christmas songs and carols come on, I just mindlessly sing along, not paying any attention to lyrics. Christmas is a lovely time of year but I feel many people don’t pay attention to the religious and spiritual aspects, which is also a shame! It’s hard when people are prodding you with questions that you yourself don’t have the answers to and so I always try to focus on what my goals are and how I’m going to achieve them (one step at a time) rather than how to please others with the most socially acceptable or impressive answers.
thesundaywardrobe.blogspot.com
This is great! Gracefully laying glory aside is HARD…Laying aside our glory without taking on shame (from others or ourselves) is impossible, in fact, without Christ. Totally know how you feel!!!
This is a great post! Hark the Herald Angels Sing reminds me of childhood! I think that too many people forget the real meaning of Christmas! Hope you have a lovely festive time!
Rachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net
Great points to keep in mind- the real reason for Christmas + what was sacrificed for us!
Hope you have a lovely holiday, babe.
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com