December 25, 2005

Have faith in God –
As Bethlehem of old;
Have faith in God –
And that sweet story told;
Have faith in God –
The incense, myrrh, and gold.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott, 1836-1897

    The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10.

    This spiritually enriching text differs from the usual Christmas songs since it focuses not only on Jesus' birth but also on His life on earth, His suffering and death, and the ultimate triumph of His resurrection, ascension, and imminent return!
    This hymn was written by Emily Elliott to teach children the truths of the advent and nativity seasons. Emily's life was filled with benevolent activities in rescue missions and in the work of the Sunday School movement of that time. Although she wrote this text for the children of her father's church, St. Mark's Anglican Church in Brighton, England, the easily understood wording, the poetic imagery, and the spiritual truths found in these excellent lines soon made the hymn a widespread favorite everywhere.
    In 1870, it was published in the Church Missionary Juvenile Instructor, which Elliott edited.

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me!

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission