*This is the third in a 5 part blog series on the new Advent worship song, “Once and Again.” You may follow all the posts on councilroadwomen.org.
Theology and music. These two words make my heart sing. Is there any better song than one that is written with a biblically accurate text set to a beautiful tune? Douglas O’Donnell notes, “We are to sing to the Lord as he is revealed in Scripture. We are to sing of his name. We are to sing of his person. We are to sing of his works. We are to magnify him and him alone!” How blessed we are as a church to be able to sing “Once and Again” this Advent season, which allows us to sing about our trinitarian God as He is revealed in Scripture.
This week’s blog post will focus on the second verse and pre-chorus of “Once and Again.” Beginning with the verse, Eric writes, “In the house of lowly sinners, our Lord began to teach; that any who would come to Him will never leave His reach.” There is a sweet assurance in this text, as we not only remember our own sinful state, but we remember the mercy of our blessed Lord who took our punishment upon His shoulders. I am reminded of R.C. Sproul’s statement that the preservation of the saints “rests on [God’s] immutable and free love, a love that is abiding, a love of complacency that nothing can sever.” What comfort we have in knowing that the Lord will never abandon His children. I am thankful for the moment in this song where we are reminded that our glorious God is always with us and will never forsake us.
The last half of the verse points to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross. “The man that healed the masses, betrayed by His own; on the cross was crucified and laid behind a stone.” The beauty of celebrating the church seasons allows us time to remember and reflect upon Christ’s earthly ministry every year. Whereas we celebrate His first coming and anticipate His secing during Advent, we recognize His sacrifice of blood atonement during Lent, and celebrate His resurrection at Easter. The Anglican church calls Advent “Little Lent,” which is a reminder that we cannot celebrate the first and second comings of our Lord without remembering His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Allen Ross writes, “The Lord of eternity created time so that all his works could fulfill his plan in the seasons and sequences of this life. He then stepped into time to redeem his fallen creatures from death and receive them into his eternal rest.” The second verse of “Once and Again” allows us to remember Christ’s atoning sacrifice, which ultimately reconciles us to God. The first coming our Lord is beautifully expressed in the first verse of this song, and the second verse reminds us of why our Savior had to step out of glory and be born on this earth. What a deep and powerful reminder.
Lastly, the prechorus states, “But then our Savior rose again, to prove He was the Great I Am. Now just like the son of Abraham, Jesus is our Worthy Lamb.” As Eric’s text reflects upon the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, I am reminded of Charles Wesley’s words, “Mild He lays his glory by, born that man no more may die; born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.” It is difficult to sing of the glories of Christ birth without remembering the necessity of His birth. These three truths – Jesus’s birth, death, and resurrection – have given reason for Christians to sing since the first “Gloria” was uttered by the angels.
As we continue to encounter “Once and Again” in corporate and individual worship this season, let these reminders encourage you as you sing:
Our Savior was fully God and fully man – He knows the depths of human pain and the heights of eternal worship
God will never leave us nor forsake us
He is worthy
Let the beauty of the season and the reminder of His sacrifice fill your worship as you sing, “Jesus is our worthy Lamb!”
Meet the Author!
Kim has been a member of Council Road for 33 years, where she loves singing in the choir and helping lead worship on Sunday mornings. She just received her Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the degree of Church Music and Worship. Kim stepped out of higher education after 20 years and now works in her family’s business of group employee benefits. Jason and Kim have been married for 23 years and have one son, Nolan (if you don’t know him, you’re missing out!) The Arnold family loves to travel and hike in God’s creation.
