I can remember as a child singing, “Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates” and not having a clue what that meant. Do gates have heads? And if so, can they lift them up? What does this mean? This phrase comes from Psalm 24.

Psalm 24:7-10 Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty— he is the King of glory.

Some think these words may have been spoken as the ark of the covenant was brought into the city, because the ark was the physical representation of God’s presence among His people. How can you properly welcome God coming into your town?

One meaning could be that the top of the gate opening, the beam or “header”, was not high enough for the Almighty in all His glory, so they were suggesting it had to be raised up for God to come into the city and dwell with them.

Others say the gates and doors are being personified, and the phrase is a metaphor for lifting up your head to recognize someone more important than you was coming on the scene.

The point is the same: We must recognize the God is supreme, that He is in control, and we should give Him our respect and worship. He is the King of Glory.

The same should be said of how we welcome His coming into the flesh. Think about that as you reflect on the words of this Advent hymn today.

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold the King of Glory waits;
The King of Kings is drawing near, The Savior of the world is here.
Life and salvation He doth bring, Wherefore rejoice and gladly sing:
We praise Thee, Father, now, Creator wise art Thou!

A Helper just He comes to thee, His chariot is humility,
His kingly crown is holiness, His scepter, pity in distress.
The end of all our woe He brings, Wherefore the earth is glad and sings:
We praise Thee, Savior, now, Mighty in deed art Thou!

O blest the land, the city blest, Where Christ the Ruler is confessed!
O happy hearts and happy homes YTo whom this King in triumph comes!
The cloudless Sun of joy He is, Who bringeth pure delight and bliss.
We praise Thee, Spirit, now, Our Comforter art Thou!

Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple set apart
From earthly use for Heaven’s employ, Adorned with prayer and love and joy.
So shall your Sovereign enter in And new and nobler life begin.
To Thee, O God, be praise For word and deed and grace!

Redeemer, come! I open wide My heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide!
Let me Thine inner presence feel, Thy grace and love in me reveal;
Thy Holy Spirit guide us on Until our glorious goal is won.
Eternal praise and fame We offer to Thy name.
(The Lutheran Hymnal #73)