Welcome to Our World

Sometimes poetry and song lyrics communicate just enough to open up new ways of seeing theological truths that cannot possibly be expressed in mere logical propositions and cannot be exhausted through valiant attempts at metaphor. This is how I have felt about “Welcome to Our World":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYSZsrEfvX4

“Fragile fingers sent to heal us,

Tender brow prepared for thorn,
Tiny heart whose blood will save us,
Unto us is born.”
Something about the words and music of this song has helped me to sense the reality of Jesus as a little baby, but also Jesus as my Savior. He was an infant just like my five little ones. And the most important story of history was prepared and already underway there in the untidy stable.
The final verse of the song not only speaks of that story, but also of how it is woven together with mine, with all of ours:
“So wrap our injured flesh around You,
Breathe our air and walk our sod,
Rob our sin and make us holy,
Perfect Son of God,
Perfect Son of God,
Welcome to our world.”
I am keenly aware of my “injured flesh” and of my need to be rescued and this song has a way of bringing together the miracle of the Incarnation and the hope of redemption. It connects me with that moment in history, the one that gives structure and significance to everything else. I have no other hope but what is bound up in the Word made flesh, who came to mend the broken things.
If you haven’t listened to this song, or haven’t in a while, I encourage you to take a moment and listen and reflect before things get busy today.
As a note: I struggled a bit with posting this, given current allegations regarding the artist (Chris Rice) who created the song. I will never decouple personal character from what is produced by someone. It is why i think accountability is so crucial to all of our church ministries. However, it remains true that this song has had a significant impact on my life and understanding of the Gospel.

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