Session 24

Long Lay the World in Sin

From Join the Chorus!

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” - 2 Corinthians 5:21

The scene just before that first Christmas when Jesus arrived could be described by this line: “Long lay the world in sin and error, pining.” All of God’s beautiful creation lay hopelessly lost, broken by sin and its effects. The world needed Good News. And the world still needs the Good News. Jesus Christ still enters the fractured lives of the fallen. Jesus still saves the lost. 

Jesus did not come to condemn the world, for we were all condemned already (John 3:17-18). Instead, Jesus came on a rescue operation. The eternal Son of God came to earth, took on flesh, and died “to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).  “He himself bore their sins in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). Not only did Christ die for the sins of his people, but He also rose from the dead in victory over sin and death to secure the hope of eternal life. “If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10). By dying in our place, Jesus rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13). 

As the redeemed of the Lord, let us join together to lift up the name of Jesus. Let us fall on our knees and sing with angel voices. His law is love and His Gospel is peace. He has truly broken the chains of sin and death. And now sing… 

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

O Holy Night by Placide Cappeau and John Sullivan Dwight. 1855