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He came not to a throne

But embraced a manger.

He came to His heart’s own,

Treated as a stranger.

He reigned not as a king,

As a servant bent low.

He gave up everything, 

Bent His heart like a bow.

With a heart full of joy,

He surrendered it all, 

For every girl and boy,

To take up His call.

He chose not a kingdom

But took up a cross.

Eschewing His power,

He counted it all loss.

He loved not as a royal,

But as a bondslave to all.

His love the most loyal,

He answered His call.

Like a perfume unfurled,

From His heart came the scent.

He lavished the world

With a grace heaven-sent.

—

She laid down her Son in a manger,

Which echoed the stone of His coming tomb.

But on that crisp, bright night, 

As joy leapt in her blessed womb,

She possessed not one thought of death,

But rejoiced in God above,

For giving her a precious Son

So full of His eternal love.

He laid out God’s plan

To every boy, girl, woman, man,

Stretched out His kind hand,

Caused the lame to stand,

Opened his bright mouth 

To set the captive free,

Spoke of a love that endures 

Beyond time and eternity.

He laid down His will

To the Father’s master plan,

Surrendered His power

To bow to the strength of mere man,

Bared His humble back 

To the punisher’s lash,

Turned His kindly cheek

Towards the Pharisees’ slap.

He laid down His life

On a cross, splintered and worn, 

Relinquished His brow 

To the piercing cry of a thorn,

Abandoned His hand

To the nail’s sharp bite,

Surrendered his soul

To the darkness of night.

They laid down His body

To rest in the dank of a tomb.

As the earth held its breath,

The unyielding grave made Him room.

Abandoned, His healing hands

Lay chilled in the dark.

The cross, the whip, the nails

Had left their hideous mark.

The Son laid down His beauty

To pay sin’s terrible wages,

Relinquished perfection 

To clear the cost for all the ages,

Surrendered to judgment 

For crimes He did not commit,

Wiped the dark slate clean,

So God our sins could remit.

The sun laid down its glory,

Removing its kindly rays,

On the third day’s evening,

Turned away its benevolent gaze.

Bewildered, the earth slept.

Another night passed.

The twinkling stars yet shone,

But the dark die seemed cast.

An angel laid down a stone.

From within a once-darkened tomb, 

A brilliant light shone.

On this third day, there was no longer room,

For the grave could not contain

The Lord of Glory and of Grace.

The earth would now rejoice 

In the light of His beautiful face.

For He laid death to rest

Beneath His glorious rise.

The radiant light of God

Shone in His aspect and in His eyes.

The sun, a faint, pale echo

Of that dazzling light, 

Ascended the morning sky, 

Following His bright might.

For He rose triumphant

Over sin, death, and the grave.

Of mortal men once bound to ill,

He’d made free every slave.

The Son of righteousness

Risen with healing in His wings,

He’d destined man for goodness

And restored him to better things.

So please lay down your pride 

And let down your fearful guard.

Please do open your heart

And pay heed to this humble bard.

Just pray a simple prayer

To invite Lord Jesus in.

Give Him your lovely life.

Let Him cleanse you from all sin.

Lay down your heavy burdens 

At His compassionate feet.

Receive all His goodness

And His wholeness complete.

Welcome His life and His love

To dwell in your humble heart.

Come home to the Father

And embrace a brand-new start.