"O Come, Let Us Adore Him" began life as the chorus of "O Come, All Ye Faithful:" The same phrase sung three times with three words, "Christ the Lord," tagged at the end.
At some point, three more phrases were written and the four-stanza version was able to escape Christmastime and be used throughout the year.
Even the lengthened version is straightforward and simple, and yet, the concepts sung about grow in meaning as a person invests time contemplating their connotations.
O come, let us adore him
This is an urgent plea, like a child tugging on its parent's sleeve: "Come on. Come ON!" According to Luke 2:15, it's almost a quote from the shepherds watching their flocks by night: “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
It's also a call to collaboration and community. "Let US adore him!" What started with a choir of angels is going to continue with human voices.
We'll praise His name forever
This communal worship is no flash mob. Our expected eternity will be filled with praising the name of Jesus.
We'll give Him all the glory
It's not uncommon to hear people say things like, "When I get to heaven, I can't wait to ask Peter a few things," or "Can you imagine the concerts in heaven with [insert the names of your favorite musical artists here]?" As if Jesus is just one of many celebrities we hope to meet.
I don't think so. All of our attention and worship and focus will appropriately be given to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
For He alone is worthy
There is none other who deserves to be adored without reservation and praised with utter abandon.
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Truth is...God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11 NIV)
