In Christ Alone

I understand the sensitivity and sometimes severity of the various opinions surrounding what has sometimes been termed the ‘worship wars’ seen in modern churches today. With that said, let me put myself out there and make a statement almost guaranteed to draw fire from some corner of Christendom.

To me, personally, Keith Getty and Stuart Townend’s “In Christ Alone” is a modern classic that stands out impressively among the many other fine Christian worship songs I’ve heard in recent years. [ducks head]

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All, Here in the love of Christ I stand.

To me, it is a powerful musical piece that encapsulates central gospel themes revealed in scripture, such as sinful man’s need for the greatest, most gracious, and potent gift God has ever bestowed on mankind—our Savior, Jesus.

Celebrating the Greatest Miracle

It’s a moving reminder of why believers celebrate Christmas and reminds me of (arguably) the greatest miracle God has ever performed- the Incarnation.

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe.

This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save:

I feel in good company in saying so, as the notable Christian writer and apologist C. S. Lewis once commented:

The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation. They say that God became Man. Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this. Just as every natural event is the manifestation at a particular place and moment of Nature’s total character, so every particular Christian miracle manifests at a particular place and moment the character and significance of the Incarnation.

There is no question in Christianity of arbitrary interferences just scattered about. It relates not a series of disconnected raids on Nature but the various steps of a strategically coherent invasion—an invasion which intends complete conquest and “occupation.” The fitness, and therefore credibility, of the particular miracles depends on their relation to the Grand Miracle; all discussion of them in isolation from it is futile.1

And the more modern Christian scholar Wayne Grudem also reiterated this, saying;

[The Incarnation] is by far the most amazing miracle of the entire Bible—far more amazing than the resurrection and more amazing even than the creation of the universe. The fact that the infinite, omnipotent, eternal Son of God could become man and join himself to a human nature forever so that infinite God became one person with finite man—that will remain for eternity the most profound miracle and the most profound mystery in all the universe.2

Of course, some may argue that the death and resurrection of Christ is the most central and miraculous event in all history, as it is the reason that sinners can be saved—all of which I have no argument with, which is why we celebrate those events during Easter.

Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid; Here, in the death of Christ, I live.

There in the ground his body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again!

As those in Christ look towards rejoicing during (what many who don’t know the real meaning behind it all call) the holiday season, we know where the true joy lies. We find the true joy of Christmas in the celebration of the birth of the One that brings believers true contentment through the assuredness of our salvation and in the knowledge that we have purpose and meaning in our lives.

And as He stands in victory Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine – bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.

So Merry Christmas to all of our amazing AiG–CA supporters (including those of you around the world that we hear from often). And remember where true joy and contentment come from- knowing you are in God’s hands for eternity!

No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Blessings to all,
Calvin Smith
Executive Director and Speaker
AiG–CA