Lyrics
Verse 1
It was the greatest gift
It was amazing love
Heaven revealed its splendor
Becoming one of us
It was His perfect plan
Before the sands of time
To show the world His heart beats
Infinite love divine
Chorus
Gloria Emmanuel
Gloria God is with us
Gloria Emmanuel
Gloria God is with us
God is with us
Verse 2
Oh what a sacrifice
Descending from Your throne
To live the life of paupers
And then to die
For my soul
Chorus
God is with us
God is with us
God is with us
Bridge
Comforter God is with us
Healer God is with us
Provider God is with us
Our Savior and our friend
Outro
He is our Savior and our friend
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This worship song celebrates the incarnation, describing the arrival of Christ as the greatest gift and an act of amazing love. The first verse says heaven revealed its splendor by "Becoming one of us," and presents the event as a plan that existed "Before the sands of time." The chorus repeats "Gloria Emmanuel" and "God is with us," which echoes the name Emmanuel given in Matthew 1:23.
The second verse turns to sacrifice, picturing a descent from the throne to live as a pauper and then die for the singer's soul. The bridge adds names for God as Comforter, Healer and Provider, closing on the line that He is a Savior and friend. The lyric connects the nativity to the cross, which makes it suitable for Advent and Christmas gatherings as well as ordinary congregational worship, and the repeated refrain is easy for a group to learn.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 1:23 The passage gives the name Emmanuel, meaning God with us.
- Philippians 2:6-8 The passage describes Christ leaving glory to take the form of a servant and die.