Jars of Clay - Love Came Down At Christmas Lyrics
Lyrics
Love came down at Christmas
Love all lovely, love divine
Love was born at Christmas
Stars and angels gave the sign
Love came down at Christmas
Love all lovely, love divine
Love was born at Christmas
Stars and angels gave the sign
Love will be our token
Love be yours and love be mine
Love from God to all of us
Love for plea and gift, a sign
Love shall be our token
Love be yours, love be mine
Love from God to all of us
Love for plea and gift, a sign
Love came down at Christmas
Love for the ten commandments
Love for the nine that crucified
Love for the eight that stood at the gate
Love for the seven who opened up to heaven
Love for the six that never got fixed
Love for the five that stayed alive
Love for the four that stood at the door
Love for the Incomprehensible children
Love from the Incomprehensible
Love came down at Christmas
Video
Jars Of Clay - Love Came Down At Christmas [Official Music VIdeo]
Meaning & Inspiration
Jars of Clay’s profound reflection, "Love Came Down At Christmas," released on October 16, 2007, as part of their *Christmas Songs (Bonus Track Version)* album, transcends mere festive jingle to offer a deeply theological and soul-stirring meditation on the very nature of God’s love. The band, known for its thoughtful lyrical craftsmanship and ability to marry artistic expression with spiritual truth, delivers a piece that centers entirely on the transformative power and universal reach of divine affection, focusing intently on the profound message embedded within the lyrics rather than relying on overt melodic complexity.
The song begins by immediately grounding its core message in the historical reality of Christ's birth, echoing the ancient hymn "Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine." This opening stanza isn't just a nostalgic nod to the holiday season; it’s a theological declaration. The birth of Jesus is presented as the ultimate manifestation of God's love, not as an abstract concept, but as a tangible, incarnate presence. “Love was born at Christmas,” a direct and potent statement, reminds us that the divine act of sending a Savior into the world is the pinnacle of God’s benevolent nature. The imagery of "stars and angels gave the sign" directly references the celestial beacon that guided the Magi (Matthew 2:2) and the angelic chorus that announced the good news to the shepherds (Luke 2:9-14), underscoring the cosmic significance of this singular event. This love, originating from the very heart of God, is depicted as inherently beautiful and completely divine, perfectly aligning with Scripture’s assertion in John 3:16 that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son."
Building upon this foundational truth, the song shifts from the historical event to its ongoing implication for humanity, stating, "Love will be our token, Love be yours and love be mine." Here, divine love transforms from a gift received into a shared responsibility and a distinguishing mark of believers. This "token" signifies a symbol, an emblem by which followers of Christ are known and recognized, mirroring Jesus’ words in John 13:35, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." The lyrics emphasize that this love is "from God to all of us," highlighting its universal source and accessibility, while simultaneously presenting it as "a plea and gift, a sign." Love becomes both God's earnest request of humanity—that we live in it and extend it—and the gracious present He bestows, serving as a constant indicator of His presence and character. It calls us to embody the very love that first descended at Christmas, making it a living reality in our daily interactions, fulfilling the command to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39).
The latter portion of the song delves into a series of distinctive and thought-provoking lines that expand the concept of God's love to encompass an astonishing breadth of human experience and divine interaction. These numerical references, while initially perhaps enigmatic, collectively paint a picture of God's comprehensive and unwavering affection. "Love for the ten commandments" grounds divine love in righteous law, reminding us that God’s instructions are not burdensome but a loving guide for human flourishing (Romans 13:10). Then, provocatively, "Love for the nine that crucified" confronts us with the radical nature of Christ's love, which extends even to those who reject and persecute Him, echoing His prayer from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). This speaks to a grace that defies human logic, embracing even those who are hostile.
The song continues its sweeping embrace: "Love for the eight that stood at the gate," perhaps representing those who persevere, or a remnant of salvation (like Noah's family, 1 Peter 3:20), indicating God’s care for those who wait and remain faithful. "Love for the seven who opened up to heaven" suggests those who receive divine revelation or experience spiritual breakthrough, highlighting God's love for those who seek and find Him. "Love for the six that never got fixed" tenderly acknowledges the brokenness and imperfections that persist in the world and in individuals, affirming that God’s love encompasses even our unrepaired wounds and the limitations of our fallen state, demonstrating His enduring compassion beyond immediate resolution. "Love for the five that stayed alive" could point to those who endure in faith, sustained by grace through trials (like the wise virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, though not a direct numeric match for "stayed alive," the theme of endurance resonates). "Love for the four that stood at the door" might signify those on the threshold of understanding, vigilant, or ready to respond to God’s call.
The culmination arrives with "Love for the Incomprehensible children, Love from the Incomprehensible." This powerful conclusion wraps the entire message in a blanket of divine mystery and majesty. It explicitly names God as "the Incomprehensible"—an eternal, infinite being whose ways and thoughts are far beyond human grasp (Romans 11:33). Yet, this same incomprehensible God extends His boundless "Love for the Incomprehensible children"—referring to humanity, His creation. This line encapsulates the profound paradox of Christian faith: an infinite, unknowable God who intimately loves and cares for each one of us. It calls us to marvel at the immensity of God's affection, a love that originates from His mysterious, perfect nature and descends to embrace every aspect of our existence, making the advent of Christ at Christmas the most tangible proof of this magnificent, unfathomable reality. This song, then, is not merely a seasonal tune, but an enduring testament to the radical, all-encompassing love that is the very heart of the Christian faith.