O Come All Ye Faithful Series

The songs of the Christmas season comprise some of the finest music known to man, and this hymn is certainly one of our universal favorites. It was used in Catholic churches before it became known to Protestants. Today it is sung by church groups around the world since it has been translated from its original Latin into more than 100 other languages. The vivid imagery of the carol seems to have meaning and appeal for all ages in every culture.

The original Latin text consisted of four stanzas. The first calls us to visualize anew the infant Jesus in Bethlehem’s stable. The second stanza is usually omitted in most hymnals, but it reminds us that the Christ-child is very God Himself:

God of God and Light of Light begotten, Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb; Very God, begotten, not created—O come, let us adore Him.

The next stanza pictures for us the exalted song of the angelic choir heard by the lowly shepherds. Then the final verse offers praise and adoration to the Word, our Lord, who was with the Father from the beginning of time.

For many years this hymn was known as an anonymous Latin hymn. Recent research, however, has revealed manuscripts that indicate that it was written in 1744 by an English layman named John Wade and set to music by him in much the same style as used today. The hymn first appeared in his collection, Cantus Diversi, published in England in 1751. One hundred years later the carol was translated into its present English form by an Anglican minister, Frederick Oakeley, who desired to use it for his congregation. The tune name, “Adeste Fideles,” is taken from the first words of the original Latin text, and translated literally means “be present or near, ye faithful.” (1)

Luke 12:42–48 (NKJV) 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

O Come All Ye faithful. This morning we will look at just who are the faithful.

Story about Marine Corps Gen Charles C. Krulak. Gen Krulak was Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1995 to 1999. In 1998 after then-Pres Clinton was caught in with an adulterous affair – the military services began examining the prosecution of Adultery under the UCMJ – perhaps to lessen the punishment. Gen Krulak, is an outspoken defender of the military's values in general and the Marine Corps' values in particular, a conservative Christian who said he would quit if the Pentagon ever eased its unequivocal prohibition on adultery as some officials had proposed. He essentially said “Not on my watch. What part of Semper fidelis – Always faithful – are we going to drop?" The UCMJ was strengthen in those matters due to the stand of Gen Krulak.

Who is the faithful? Jesus asked that question:

Luke 12:42a (NKJV) And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward . . .

Who is that faithful steward?

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (NKJV) Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Faithful. Always faithful. Being faithful only some of the time means nothing. Being faithful is some areas and not in others also mean nothing. It is the same as being unfaithful. Like Gen Krulak, what part of “Always Faithful” do we leave out?

Luke 12:42 (NKJV) And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

Clearly here, Jesus addresses the overseers and leaders of Israel. But definitely in the deeper sense, Jesus is speaking to all the future leaders and overseers of the church. To put into context, Look at verse prior, verse 41, Peter asks who are you talking to, us or everyone. In typical Rabbi fashion, Jesus answers with a question. "Who is the faithful and wise steward whom his master will make ruler over his household?" This insinuates those that God has made rulers, whether governmental, or religious leaders. We in the church need to pay close attention to what follows.