Worship Song Highlight: "Prepare Him Room"

Starting this Sunday, we will be singing “Prepare Him Room” every Sunday throughout the Advent and Christmas season at FBC Farmersville. “Prepare Him Room” was written by Rebecca Elliott and Dave Fournier of Sovereign Grace Music, the same group who wrote “Behold Our God” and “Come Praise and Glorify.” It was released in 2014 on the Christmas album Prepare Him Room. I put this near the top of the list of best congregational worship songs for Advent/Christmas written in the 2000s, and it is one of my personal favorites.

The whole song echoes the theme of Psalm 24:7,

“Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

That the King of glory may come in.”

Thus the chorus is a simple call to worship based on that refrain,

“Prepare Him Room,

Prepare Him Room.

Let the King of glory enter in.”

What a wonderful prayer upon which to meditate and sing! The message is perfect for the Advent season. Advent helps us to be grateful for Jesus Christ’s first coming and reminds us to serve him as we eagerly await his second coming.

 Verse 1 talks about the mystery of the gospel unfolding as Christ was born. Verse 2 praises Jesus for being God with us, for fulfilling the promises and prophecies, for bringing light, for teaching the words of life, and for ushering in the kingdom of God. Verse 3 is my favorite verse. It says:

“Oh, our hearts, as busy as Bethlehem
Hear Him knock, don’t say there’s no room in the inn
Through the cradle, cross, and grave
See the love of God displayed
Now He’s risen and He reigns
Praise the Name above all names!”

I love how the lyrics call us out for being too busy. We often get so caught up in the flurry of the season that we miss out on the peace Jesus brings and the blessing of spending time with him in personal and corporate worship. Jesus loves us so much, and it would be a shame for us to miss out on what he would say to us this Christmas because our hearts are too anxious, busy, or distracted by lesser things.

You can listen to the song here.

Musically, I love the harmonies, especially the major 7th chords (which are AWESOME, hint hint Phyllis Tanner!)

You can find resources and buy the song, or buy the entire, fantastically wonderful album, here: http://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/prepare-him-room/