Christmas 2024: December 16

December 16th, 2024
by Matt Tarr

I Wonder as I Wander

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9
Hymn: I Wonder as I Wander

On a July day in 1933, the American folk composer, John Jacob Niles found himself in a little town in North Carolina while traveling through the Appalachians. He was in a revival meeting when he heard a little girl singing. Niles described her as unbelievably dirty and unwashed, but naturally very pretty with an untrained, but pretty voice. Her family was extremely poor, and her tune was very simple, but Niles offered to pay her 25 cents for every time he asked her to sing it for him. After the girl sang the song eight times (and paying her $45 in today's money), all Niles was able to write down was the repeated refrain, "I wonder as I wander," and a few additional words. The whole song was only three lines long. Still, Niles believed that the song had potential as a Christmas carol that captured the simplicity of life in Appalachia, and he published the version we now know today by December of that year.

The song humbly reflects on the wonder of the Incarnation (called the "hypostatic union" in theological terms - referring to the mystery of the union between God and man in one essence or person). Beyond that, the song also reflects on the significance of the King of kings coming to die for His people, as the prophets foretold. But what does it mean to be a "King of kings?" That is answered, in part, in today's Scripture reading from Isaiah 42. As you read it, you'll notice that we are introduced to the Servant of the Lord - the One who will bring hope, justice, and light to the nations. This King will not be like other kings, and not merely because of the infinite superiority of His wisdom, power, and dominion. His tender care will be unlike any other. "A bruised read He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench." Even as the world rebels and the kings of the earth seek to overwhelm the righteous by force, the Servant's justice will prevail, and His salvation will illuminate the nations.

Delight in Him and embrace His justice as you share His light to those who dwell in darkness!

I wonder as I wander, out under the sky,
how Jesus the Savior did come for to die
for poor ordinary people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.

When Mary birthed Jesus, 'twas in a cow's stall
with wise men and farmers and shepherd and all.
but high from God's heaven a star's light did fall,
and the promise of ages it did then recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
or all of God's angels in heaven for to sing,
he surely could have it, 'cause he was the King.

I wonder as I wander, out under the sky,
how Jesus the Savior did come for to die
for poor ordinary people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.