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  OUR DAYS, ALAS! OUR MORTAL DAYS
  by Isaac Watts
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Summary: This sermon emphasizes the shortness and wretchedness of human
life, the importance of preparation for eternity through Heavenly Love,
and the glory of Jesus Christ's birth.

Topics: "Mortal Life", "Eternal Salvation"
Scripture References: Psalm 90:10, Matthew 2:10, Luke 2:11, Luke 2:25, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 2:6

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DESCRIPTION
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Isaac Watts reflects on the brevity and challenges of mortal life,
acknowledging the presence of pain and sin throughout our limited days
on earth. He urges for a quick passage through the struggles of life,
longing for Heavenly Love to prepare the soul for eternal salvation and
glory. Watts then shifts the focus to the miraculous birth of Jesus,
emphasizing the divine nature of the young Redeemer and the recognition
of his significance by various individuals, including the eastern sages,
Simeon, and Anna. Despite the blasphemy and scorn from others, believers
are called to adore the eternal God who humbly entered the world as a
child.

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CONTENT
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Our days, alas! our mortal days

Are short and wretched too;

Evil and few, the patriarch says,

And well the patriarch knew.

'Tis but at best a narrow bound

That Heaven allows to men,

And pains and sins run through the round

Of threescore years and ten.

Well, if ye must be sad and few,

Run on, my days, in haste.

Moments of sin, and months of woe,

Ye cannot fly too fast.

Let Heavenly Love prepare my soul

And call her to the skies,

Where years of long salvation roll,

And glory never dies.

The King of Glory sends his Son

To make his entrance on this earth;

Behold the midnight bright as noon,

And heavenly hosts declare his birth.

About the young Redeemer's head

What wonders and what glories meet!

An unknown star arose, and led

The eastern sages to his feet.

Simeon and Anna both conspire

The infant-Saviour to proclaim;

Inward they felt the sacred fire,

And blessed the babe, and owned his name.

Let Jews and Greeks blaspheme aloud,

And treat the holy child with scorn;

Our souls adore the eternal God

Who condescended to be born.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/isaac-watts/our-days-alas-our-mortal-days/
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