Å, kom nå med lovsang

Song Meaning

This hymn is a direct, urgent invitation to worship, specifically calling on the "Christian host of earth" to come to Bethlehem. The immediate scene is one of arrival and observation: come to see the King in a manger. The dominant emotional tone is one of awe and imperative joy, urging immediate participation in a momentous event. The lyrics are structured around a repeated, emphatic call to action. The central tension lies in the juxtaposition of divine majesty and humble arrival. The lyrics declare Jesus as "God eternal God, and light of light," "true God of origin, born before all time," yet he has "come to us as brother today," found as a king in a manger. This contrast between his eternal, divine nature and his earthly, human birth is the core of the "wonder" being celebrated. The repetition of "Come, worship him, God's wonder!" drives home the magnitude of this divine condescension. The most striking craft element is the escalating call to worship, moving from earthly inhabitants to heavenly hosts. Verses 1 and 2 focus on the human arrival and the earthly response, while Verse 3 directly addresses "angelic hosts" and "myriads in heaven's halls" to "sing with blessed jubilation." This broadens the scope of worship from a specific earthly event to a cosmic celebration, highlighting that this wonder is recognized and rejoiced in across all realms. The lyrics are effective because they create a palpable sense of communal and cosmic urgency. The repeated, direct commands like "Come, worship him" and "Sing" leave no room for passive listening. They demand active participation, drawing the listener into the scene of adoration. The final verse reinforces this by stating, "The Word became flesh and dwells today among us," making the divine presence immediate and present, thus solidifying the reason for this fervent worship.