“Nativity” (1423), by Gentile da Fabriano
I thought it would be fitting to close out this Christmas season with a rich hymn text written by Frank Houghton in 1934. Houghton was serving as Editorial Secretary for the China Inland Mission when two missionaries to China, John and Betty Stam, were captured and martyred by the communist Red Army. As Houghton was traveling across China soon after, he penned the text of this beautiful incarnation hymn.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. — 2 Corinthians 8:9
“Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becamest poor.
“Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising
Heavenwards by thine eternal plan.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man.
“Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.
Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what thou wouldst have us be.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.”