"Heaven Came Down!"

During these days of Advent, I have been thinking about heaven. It’s funny how the mind works. It surprises me in strange ways. I popped into a local eatery on North Grand, Springfield recently. Our daughter and her family think this place has the best burgers in central Illinois. I must admit that their smash burgers and custard are something special. I do savor those crispy fried edges on the double cheese! Don’t tell Monique!

Image: Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

I looked up on the tabletop and noticed a catchy advertisement on the napkin holder. It said, “Heaven is a Brown Paper Sack!” And appropriately so, this restaurant does a lot of take-out orders where you will see patrons clutching their brown paper bags filled with burgers and fries. While this isn’t the best food for your health, you can cherish “heavenly thoughts” of delicious greasiness in each bite!

There is another notable brown bag establishment that I like on South Grand that stuffs its delicious fried fish and fries in a brown paper bag as well! Kudos to the portly guy who said, “The flavor is in the fat!” I must sneak into these places to eat out of fear of the heart-healthy brigade who is constantly trying to steer us away from such full-flavor food experiences. I prefer living by the motto of some of my “sturdy built” friends, “All things in moderation!”

As you can see, heaven has been variously interpreted and applied! Well, I had an experience of heavenly bliss last Lord’s Day. Our church sanctuary choir has a notable tradition of annually presenting an outstanding and worshipful Christmas cantata that includes a specially written narration, full orchestra, and handbells. The theme of this year’s presentation was “He Humbled Himself.” I immediately thought of the Philippian hymn that beautifully describes the Incarnation of Jesus.

In this hymn of the early church, we celebrate the attitude of Jesus in giving up His divine privileges in heaven in becoming a man. “He took up the humble position of a slave and was born a human being. When He appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on the cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:7-11, NLT).

It is impossible in this Advent season to focus only on the child in the manger and not to think about the implications of Christ’s coming to give His life for our salvation. That’s why it was appropriate for us to express our praise by standing at the end of the cantata to sing the Isaac Watts’ carol, Joy to the World, with its appeal to “Let ev-’ry heart prepare Him room.” And then exclaim the familiar refrain, “And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing!”

I have another song swirling about in my mind at the beginning of this new week. It isn’t a typical Christmas hymn, but it also has me thinking about heaven and the implications of Incarnation. John W. Peterson wrote this gem that has been a favorite for years in the Baptist tradition and is entitled, “Heaven Came Down.” I woke up today singing to myself that first stanza and chorus.

“O what a wonderful, wonderful day - Day I will never forget; After I’d wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met. O what a tender, compassionate friend – He met the need of my heart; Shadows dispelling, With joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart! Heaven came down and glory filled my soul. When at the cross the Savior made me whole; My sins were washed way - And my night was turned to day – Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!”

As we celebrate that “Heaven Came Down” to earth long ago, let’s continue to sing out, with joyful hearts, our praises to the Coming Christ!

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com
©2018-2025 All rights reserved.
Serve by Design. mjkministries.com

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