A Charles Wesley Christmas 3

The idea of the Saviour divesting himself of his glory is a common theme in Wesley. As in 'Mild he lays his glory by'. Compare that with

The Lord of hosts, the God most high, Who quits His throne on earth to live.
(To us a child of royal birth)
Emptied of His majesty,

Of His dazzling glories shorn
(Glory be to God on high)
Lo! He lays his glory by, Emptied of his majesty!

See the God who all things made, Humbly in a manger laid.
(Sing, ye ransomed nations, sing)

The being shorn motif cleverly picks up the Lamb of God idea. See also Let Angels and Archangels

Without his majesty or crown, The great Invisible is seen:
Of all his dazzling glories shorn, The everlasting God is born!

Also see All-wise, all-good, almighty Lord and Let earth and heaven combine

Th' Eternal God from heaven came down,

The King of glory dropped his crown,
And veiled his majesty,

Emptied of all but love He came

He laid His glory by, He wrapped Him in our clay;
Unmarked by human eye, The latent Godhead lay.

Of course this is the same as the often criticised but surely allowable line in And can it be, 'Emptied himself of all but love'.