January 2 

Wise Men, They Came to Look 

TEXT: Christopher Idle

b. September 11, 1938, Kent, England

Christopher Idle is a modern, living composer. Without the archaic language of earlier carols, this text maintains the quality of poetry that places it in the literature of Wesley or Watts. With degrees from Oxford and Clifton Theological College, Idle was ordained in the Church of England in 1963. He served seven different parishes while teaching, writing hymns, books, and many periodicals. He is credited with over 300 hymns.

Do an internet search of “Mary of the Incarnation” by Christopher Idle (Hope Publishing). Though not a Christmas hymn, it is about Mary the mother of Jesus, and the artistry of his hymn poetry is evident. Three stanzas start with “Mary of the incarnation,” “Mary of the crucifixion,” and “Mary of the resurrection.” Read and perhaps sing this unique hymn. You can sing it to the melody of ODE TO JOY.

TUNE: Georg Neumark

b. March 16,1621, Langensalza, Germany

d. July 8, 1681, Weimar, Germany

Combining a modern poem with an ancient tune brings dignity and beauty to both. WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT is most commonly known for the text, “If Thou but Suffer God to Guide Thee.” Georg Neumark was known as a writer and not a musician. The tune gained fame because of its marriage to the text that he called his “hymn of consolation, when in 1646, through a dreadful fire I came to my last farthing.”⁴⁸ J. S. Bach based a cantata on the tune and text, and the tune is said to have been used with over 400 hymn texts.

As you sing this hymn … you gain some sanctified imagination of insight into the mind of the wise men. Each stanza gives a picture of the historical event combined with an application of how you can learn from their experience. While we may consider ourselves modern “wise men,” true wisdom comes from above. While we may be aliens and without fame, God has found us, and He knows our names. While we may look for splendor and a Messiah for our lives, only Jesus gives joy for each day, songs for each night, and light for our paths. While we may offer gifts and think we can give to God, the truth is that His gift to us is far, far greater. He comes incarnate into our lives, making us a Bethlehem.

First Corinthians 2:9 exclaims, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” We consider through these carols the beginning of the story—Jesus’ brief journey to earth. But our own experience with God is only a beginning as well. Our imaginations cannot comprehend the story yet to unfold. You are on a journey—like the wise men—in great anticipation of meeting and worshiping your King. But what will unfold before you is beyond all dreams or imaginings.