Jerusalem, Lift up Thy Voice!

Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news. Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:9

Can you imagine what it would have been like to live at the time when Jesus was born? You would have seen all the prophecies coming true before your eyes! The King who had been promised to reign over the land with justice and righteousness would be walking among you!

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land." Jeremiah 23:5

Can you imagine if you were a Jew in the time of Jesus? They had been waiting and waiting for their Messiah, and here He was! If you were a child, you had heard your parents, grandparents and great grandparents talk about waiting for their deliverer. And what about if you were a Gentile? Jesus came for every tribe and race; He is the Savior of Jews and the Gentiles alike. He was the messenger of truth and grace. Truth and grace were realized through Jesus Christ!

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. John 1:14-17

What if you had been waiting to see how God would keep His promise? God had made a covenant to save His people and He kept His word. God kept His promise by sending Jesus to the earth to die for the sins of the world. God sent salvation that blessed Christmas morn.

And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

If you had lived at that time, I think you would do as the fourth verse of this old Swedish hymn says, "Let all the world with one accord, now hail the coming of the Lord!"

"Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," declares the LORD. Zechariah 2:10

Jerusalem, Lift up Thy Voice!
Words by Johan Wallin

Jerusalem, lift up thy voice!
Daughter of Zion, now rejoice!
Thy King is come, whose mighty hand
Henceforth shall reign o’er every land.

He comes to every tribe and race,
A Messenger of truth and grace:
With peace He comes from Heaven above
On earth to found His realm of love.

In God’s eternal covenant,
He comes for our salvation sent.
The star of hope moves on before,
And hosts assemble to adore.

Let all the world with one accord
Now hail the coming of the Lord:
Praise to the Prince of heavenly birth
Who bringeth peace to all the earth.