day 15. "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne"
I pulled out my guitar last night to rehearse some songs for this upcoming weekend at [REUNION]. But before I even got to song one on the set list, I heard Anna listening to Phil Wickham’s Christmas stuff. Which immediately prompted me to ask my lovely wife what Christmas songs she wanted me to sing to her (since that’s one of her so called favorite things — see Anna, I really do listen...). After singing and playing a verse of "Silent Night" and a couple of "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," I pulled out the hymnal I "borrowed" from our church 6 or 7 years ago, and stumbled upon #127, "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne."
This song is probably generally sung in select Protestant churches of the post-Great Awakening — both Anna’s church and mine growing up sang it. But even if it’s a once-a-year-at-church kind of song — most likely accompanied by a 60-70-year-young grandma who can absolutely kill it on the piano — so much history, theology and inner reflection is packed inside that you can't help but remember it once you've sung it. Bottom line for me, it's one I never anticipate singing during the Christmas season, but it's one that is very meaningful the few times that I do. If this advent calendar had a dark horse song, this would probably be it.
—Ian
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
REFRAIN
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
REFRAIN
The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
REFRAIN
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
REFRAIN
When the heav'ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee."
REFRAIN
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.
