December 10 

Once in Royal David’s City 

TEXT: Cecil F. Alexander

b. 1818, Redcross, Wicklow, Ireland

d. October 12, 1895, Londonderry, Ireland

Cecil Alexander started writing poetry as a child for her school journal. As an adult, she published some of her poetry in Dublin University Magazine under pseudonyms. Her poem “Burial of Moses” caused Alfred Lord Tennyson to say it was one of the few poems by another author he wished he had written. She wrote over 400 poems and hymns that were mostly for children. This poem was written to explain and amplify the line from the Apostle’s Creed, “who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary.” It was first published in her book titled Hymns for Little Children, but included the label, “suitable also for adults.” Every year since 1919, the Kings College Chapel in Cambridge, England, has used this as a processional hymn for their famous Festival of Lessons and Carols. Another hymn of Alexander’s that is greatly loved is “All Things Bright and Beautiful.”

TUNE: Henry J. Gauntlett

b. July 9, 1805, Wellington, Shropshire, England

d. February 21, 1876, London, England

Henry J. Gauntlett wrote the tune for this poem. He was a gifted nineteenth-century English musician, but also a lawyer, author, organ designer, and organ recitalist. The tune first appeared in his book Christmas Carols, published in 1849. The name IRBY is the name of a village in Lincolnshire, England.

As you sing this hymn … you begin with a creedal declaration of what Christians believe about Jesus. It is a kind of theological sermon. But in the third stanza, you declare what these truths mean to you personally. He is your pattern for life. He is a friend who understands your feelings of weakness or helplessness, your fears and tears, and who joins in when you are glad. Best of all, you declare in the final stanza that someday Christians will meet Him! Because of His redeeming love, this One whom we think of at Christmas as merely a child has ascended to heaven to prepare our eternal home with Him.

Our world is quite confused about Christmas. Santa Claus has become, for many, the image of Christmas. In a sermon, pastor John MacArthur pointed out that Santa has been given almost God-like qualities—able to visit every home in the entire world in a single night, knowing when you’ve been bad or good, and worst of all, he judges your works, giving gifts to good people and coal to bad people! Though imaginary, Santa is honored and exalted.²⁶ While people know this is a fable, it reveals the subtle change from the power of truth to the power of make-believe.

The true and living spirit of Christmas is found in the only perfect One who came down from the glories of heaven to the lowest position on earth. It is unmerited grace that offers His gifts to all those who seek His forgiveness and accept His love. If you are a child, this beautiful Christmas hymn speaks to you and for you. It should be one of the Christmas carols you know and love the best because its truth will be your hope for the rest of your life. If you are an adult, let it refocus your worship and help form a Christmas theology of what you believe and celebrate during this season.