Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
Keith & Kristyn Getty write this devotional for Christmas Day
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.’ (Luke 2:17-18)
Over the centuries the Shepherd’s testimony has gone out all over the world. Generation after generation the good news of Christ’s coming has been faithfully passed on. In the last 100 years one of the places this good news has transformed so significantly is the country of China. In the 1930s during a period of great persecution against believers, particularly the martyrdom of John and Betty Stam, Frank Houghton (of China Inland Mission) wrote the Christmas carol, “Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor.” He was so struck by the Lord who left such riches to step into our darkness and need. He wanted to strengthen the missionaries with these beautiful poignant words:
“Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becomes poor.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising
Heavenwards by thine eternal plan.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.
Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what thou wouldst have us be.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.”
We recorded a live version of this carol a couple of years ago featuring Deborah Klemme on violin. We hope the truth it carries brings comfort and courage to you over this Christmas season.
We are grateful to each of you for every occasion we had to sing together this year and so bear witness to Christ’s great light,
Keith & Kristyn Getty
Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor is available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music
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