This is the Truth Sent from Above
- Renée Coventry
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Reminiscent of a cold, snowy night outside a medieval cathedral, the origins of This is the Truth Sent from Above are unknown. Because it was performed in the early 20th century in Herefordshire, it is also known as The Herefordshire Carol. Rather than addressing uniquely Christmas themes, this song, in its entirety, is the Gospel message. Unfortunately, all the verses are rarely sung. However, this enchanting hymn speaks of everything from original sin to the need of saving faith in Christ’s love which requires “special grace.” I hope you enjoy this beautiful song as much as I do!
This is the Truth Sent from Above
This is the truth sent from above, the truth of God, the God of love;
Therefore don’t turn me from the door, but hearken all both rich and poor.
The first thing that I will relate, that God at first did man create;
The next thing which to you I tell, woman was made with him to dwell.
Then after that ‘twas God’s own choice, to place them both in paradise,
There to remain from evil free except they ate of such a tree.
But they did eat, which was a sin, and thus their ruin did begin –
Ruined themselves, both you and me, and all of our posterity.
Thus we were heirs to endless woes, till God the Lord did interpose;
And so a promise soon did run: that He’d redeem us by His Son.
And at this season of the year, our blest Redeemer did appear,
And here did live, and here did preach, and many thousands did He teach.
Thus He in love to us behaved, to show us how we must be saved;
And if you want to know the way, Be pleased to hear what He did say:
“Go preach the Gospel,” now He said, “to all the nations that are made!
And He that does believe on me, from all his sins I’ll set him free.”
O seek! O seek of God above that saving faith that works by love!
And if He’s pleased to grant thee this, thou’rt sure to have eternal bliss.
God grant to all within this place true saving faith, that special grace
Which to His people doth belong: and thus I close my Christmas song.
