Francesca Battistelli - Messiah Lyrics
Lyrics
Long awaited precious promise
Son of God and son of man
Heaven's glory in a manger
Has come to us in Bethlehem
(chorus)
Messiah
Messiah
Baby born to save us all
Messiah
Messiah
On our knees we fall
All we longed for, all we needed
Shining in this child's eyes
Hope forever, death defeated
Because of this one holy night
(chorus)
Messiah
Messiah
Baby born to save us all
Messiah
Messiah
On our knees we fall
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
Christ the Lord
Long awaited precious promise
Coming back again
(chorus)
Messiah
Messiah
Baby born to save us all
Messiah
Messiah
On our knees we fall
Video
Francesca Battistelli - Messiah (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Francesca Battistelli’s "Messiah," released on October 23, 2020, as part of her album *This Christmas*, stands as a profound and worshipful reflection on the very heart of the Christmas story. The song immediately captures the listener with its clear and unwavering focus on the person and purpose of Jesus Christ, moving beyond seasonal festivity to articulate deep theological truths about His arrival and ultimate return. It’s a beautifully concise narrative that encapsulates the immense scope of God’s redemptive plan, beginning with the long-awaited promise and culminating in the hope of His glorious second coming.
The narrative crafted within the lyrics traces the journey of Christ from divine prophecy to earthly reality and beyond. The opening lines, "Long awaited precious promise / Son of God and son of man / Heaven's glory in a manger / Has come to us in Bethlehem," immediately ground the song in the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. This speaks to Isaiah’s foretelling of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) and Micah’s prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), highlighting Jesus’ dual nature as fully God and fully human, as eloquently described in Philippians 2:6-7. The powerful image of "Heaven's glory in a manger" starkly contrasts the infinite majesty of God with the humble, vulnerable circumstances of His birth, echoing the sentiment of 2 Corinthians 8:9 that though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor. The chorus, declaring "Messiah / Baby born to save us all / On our knees we fall," crystallizes the song's central message: His birth was not merely an event, but the pivotal act of salvation, evoking the worshipful response articulated in Philippians 2:10-11, where every knee will bow.
Further deepening the message, the song proclaims, "All we longed for, all we needed / Shining in this child's eyes / Hope forever, death defeated / Because of this one holy night." These lines powerfully convey that Jesus is the answer to humanity's deepest spiritual yearnings, the fulfillment of every heart's desire for meaning and redemption. He is indeed the bread of life (John 6:35) and the light of the world (John 8:12), in whom "all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9). The declaration that "death defeated" even at His birth foreshadows the ultimate victory He would secure through His crucifixion and resurrection, a truth that dispels fear and establishes eternal hope (1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Hebrews 2:14-15). The bridge, "O come let us adore Him / Christ the Lord," serves as a direct, unadorned invitation to worship, mirroring Psalm 95:6, reminding us of the appropriate response to such a monumental gift. The song then broadens its scope with the profound statement, "Long awaited precious promise / Coming back again." This crucial addition elevates the Christmas narrative from a historical event to an ongoing, future-oriented hope. It reminds us that the Messiah who came humbly once will return in glory, as promised in Acts 1:11 and Revelation 22:20, inspiring believers to live with expectation and readiness. "Messiah" is not just a song about Christ’s first coming; it’s a comprehensive testament to His past fulfillment, present reign, and future return, calling all to a posture of worship and anticipation.