I wonder as I wander out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die. For poor ordinary people like you and like I… I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

This haunting melody raises to our awareness the dark side of Christ’s birth. Even then, he was destined to give his life for the world – God’s own self made flesh on earth. It is the side of Christmas we do not really like to talk about.

This carol continues on to share the traditional Christmas story and the blessedness of the King of kings. But it also recalls the prophesies that foretold all that would occur. Not just in Jesus’ birth narrative, but also the ways that God would take upon God’s self our sins and iniquities. As Isaiah said, by his wounds we are healed. 

It was, it is, for ordinary people, like you and like me – this gift of salvation that comes through the Christ. During Advent and Christmas, it is important for us to acknowledge that in the child we see the man he will become, the God who Christ is. The story is wondrous and awe-inspiring. But the question that this carol acknowledges is honest: why would God do this?

Love.

When Mary birthed Jesus ’twas in a cow’s stall, with wise men and farmers and shepherds and all. But high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall, and the promise of ages it then did recall.