Sin’s Battle Rages, but Christ the Messiah has Won!

In a decisive scene of J.R.R. Tolkein’s “The Lord of the Rings,” the remaining members of “the fellowship” and their friends are holed up in a mountain hideaway fighting off orcs and trying to save their lives.  Just when it looked like Legolas, Aragon, Gimli and friends were not going to make it, Gandalf appears riding down the mountainside from the East shining in brilliant white.  His light drives the dark orcs away and saves the day for his friends.

If you have read these books or seen these movies, this scene is quite memorable.  It reminds us that even in the face of unbelievable evil (you can’t get much worse than an orc), when Gandalf showed up, the victory was secured.

Today we are going to look at the lyric of a contemporary Christmas hymn written by David Hamilton and Michael W. Smith called “Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah.”  There is one particular verse in this hymn that moves my heart in a deep way.  It says, “Lift up your heads all who wander in darkness, Shine for your light has come!  Down through the ages, though sin’s battle rages, Christ the Messiah has won!”  This verse reminds me of that scene in “The Lord of the Rings.”  Sin, like an orc, has ravaged a brutal war on this earth leaving immense destruction.  All of us have felt the sting of the brutal effects of sin in this world.  When Christ came, however, He rode down the mountain shining His great light and bringing victory over sin to all His people!  Think about that today as you read the words to this song.  Christ the Messiah has won!!!

“Come behold this Child in the manger, gift of the Father’s great love

Angels are down as His glory surrounds them, starlight from heaven above

Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah

God in us now come to dwell

Sing Noel, lift high His praises

Christ our Emmanuel

Christ our Emmanuel

Lift up your heads all who wander in darkness

Shine for your light has come!

Down through the ages, though sin’s battle rages

Christ the Messiah has won!

Sing Noel, Sing Halleljuah!

Come adore our Baby

Sing Noel, lift high His praises

Christ come to set us all free

Christ come to set us all free

Let every daughter and son of the Father rise on this Christmas night

Let every voice sing all praise and rejoicing Christ our Redeemer is born

Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah!

All creation great and small

Sing Noel, lift high His praises

Christ come to save us all

Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah!

All creation great and small

Sing Noel, lift high His praises

Christ come to save us all

Christ come to save us all”