Come adore Him Luke 2:16-20

Call to Action for the Song
As the final notes of the outro fade, invite the congregation to respond with this spoken or sung call to action (ideally led by the worship leader):
Worship Leader (spoken or softly sung):
"Church, just like that first-century family holding on to hope amid the ruins, and just like the shepherds who couldn't stay silent after seeing Jesus—tonight, on this Christmas Eve, we carry the same light.
Will you rise with me? Will you go from this place and tell the world that hope has come? That redemption is here in Jesus?
Lift your hands, open your hearts, and let's declare it together one more time..."
Then lead into a final spontaneous chorus (a cappella or lightly instrumented):
Oh, come let us adore Him, the King born in the night,
Hope rises from the ashes, in His redeeming light.
We glorify and praise You, for all that we have seen,
Jesus, our eternal promise—go and tell of Him!
Closing prayer/invitation (spoken):
"Lord Jesus, born in a manger, risen as our King—send us out like those shepherds, full of joy, full of wonder, to share Your good news. May our lives glorify You in every season, through every trial. Amen."
(Encourage the congregation to applaud, shout praise, or respond with "Amen!" as the band sustains a gentle instrumental outro.)

In the shadow of the ruins, where the temple walls have fallen,
A family gathers 'round the fire, hearts heavy, yet unbroken.
Whispers of the ancient promise, from a night so long ago,
Shepherds running to the manger, where the Savior's light did glow.
They found Him wrapped in humble cloths, in Bethlehem's quiet stall,
Mary pondering the wonders, as the angels' words recall.
Chorus
Oh, come let us adore Him, the King born in the night,
Hope rises from the ashes, in His redeeming light.
From the manger to the cross, through the trials we endure,
Jesus, our eternal promise, forever pure and sure.
We glorify and praise You, for all that we have seen,
In Your birth, our redemption, our souls forever clean.
Verse 2
Brother turns to sister weary, children cling in fearful night,
"Remember how the shepherds hurried, to behold that holy sight?"
They spoke of heavenly glory, peace on earth for those He calls,
In the chaos of our suffering, His love breaks down these walls.
Though empires rise and crumble, and our world is torn apart,
The babe in swaddling clothes brings healing to the broken heart.
Chorus
Oh, come let us adore Him, the King born in the night,
Hope rises from the ashes, in His redeeming light.
From the manger to the cross, through the trials we endure,
Jesus, our eternal promise, forever pure and sure.
We glorify and praise You, for all that we have seen,
In Your birth, our redemption, our souls forever clean.
Bridge
In the silence of our waiting, like Mary we will treasure,
Every word the angels spoken, every promise without measure.
Though the temple lies in ruins, our true home is in Your grace,
Redemption's song is rising, we behold Your holy face.
We return to fields of labor, praising God for what is true,
From that first-century family, to every heart renewed.
Chorus (Build)
Oh, come let us adore Him, the King born in the night,
Hope rises from the ashes, in His redeeming light.
From the manger to the cross, through the trials we endure,
Jesus, our eternal promise, forever pure and sure.
We glorify and praise You, for all that we have seen,
In Your birth, our redemption, our souls forever clean.
Outro
Glorifying, praising, forever we will sing,
Jesus, hope eternal, our Savior, Lord, and King.

Background
Luke 2:16-20 is part of the nativity narrative in the Gospel of Luke, the third book of the New Testament. This passage immediately follows the angelic announcement to the shepherds in verses 8-15, where an angel declares the birth of Jesus as "good news of great joy" for all people, identifying him as the Savior, Messiah (Christ), and Lord. The shepherds, who were lowly laborers watching over flocks at night (possibly temple sheep destined for sacrifice in Jerusalem), represent humble, marginalized figures in society—often seen as outcasts due to their occupation. The Gospel of Luke, traditionally attributed to Luke (a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul), was likely written around 60-80 AD for a primarily Gentile audience, emphasizing themes of God's favor toward the poor, outcasts, and Gentiles. The broader chapter (Luke 2) details Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies such as Micah 5:2, which foretold the Messiah coming from David's hometown.
Historical Context
The events are set during the reign of Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus (27 BC-14 AD), a period known for the Pax Romana—a time of relative peace and stability across the empire after years of civil war, though it was enforced through taxation, military control, and imperial decrees. Augustus ordered a census for taxation purposes while Quirinius was governor of Syria (around 6-4 BC, though some debate the exact timing), which required people like Joseph (a descendant of King David) to travel to their ancestral city of Bethlehem. This historical backdrop contrasts Roman imperial power—where emperors like Augustus were hailed as "savior" and "lord"—with the humble birth of Jesus in a manger (a feeding trough for animals), symbolizing God's subversion of worldly authority. Jewish society at the time was under Roman occupation, with spiritual longing for a Messiah amid corruption in the temple system and expectations of a political deliverer, not a suffering servant born in poverty. The shepherds' involvement highlights God's choice of the ordinary and faithful remnant over the elite, echoing Old Testament themes like David's own shepherd origins. The scene likely occurred in the fall, not winter, based on shepherding practices in the region.
Meaning
These verses depict the shepherds' immediate response to the divine revelation: they "hurried off" (v. 16) to verify the angel's sign—the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger—and found Mary, Joseph, and Jesus exactly as described. Upon seeing him, they shared the angelic message (v. 17), causing amazement among listeners (v. 18), while Mary "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (v. 19), indicating deep, reflective contemplation on God's unfolding plan. The shepherds then returned to their fields, "glorifying and praising God" (v. 20) for the fulfillment of what they had been told. Thematically, the passage underscores God's humility in entering the world through ordinary means, the accessibility of salvation to all (starting with the lowly shepherds), and the contrast between earthly chaos and divine peace. It echoes Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 9:6 (a child born as Prince of Peace) and Isaiah 61:1 (good news to the poor), portraying Jesus' birth as the inauguration of God's kingdom, bringing glory to God and peace to those who receive his favor. The manger symbolizes provision and humility, while the shepherds' actions illustrate faith verified through obedience and witness.
Application
In Christian teaching, this passage models a pattern for responding to God's revelation: urgency in seeking truth (like the shepherds' haste), bold proclamation of the gospel despite potential skepticism (sharing the news to amaze others), personal reflection on divine events (Mary's treasuring and pondering as a call to meditate on Scripture), and integrating praise into everyday life (returning to work while glorifying God). It challenges believers to prioritize Christ over worldly distractions, share the "good news" inclusively (especially with the marginalized), and find true peace in Jesus amid modern chaos, rejecting fear or materialism in favor of humble faith and evangelism. This has been applied in traditions like Christmas celebrations, emphasizing joy, witness, and contemplation as ongoing spiritual practices.