Once In Royal David's City (Stanzas 5-6)

God came to earth and was born as a baby in Bethlehem. He grew up, had a ministry for three years, and then was crucified.

If you ask people, "Why did Jesus die on the cross?" they might correctly answer, "He died for our sins." If you inquire further, "Why was Jesus resurrected?" you may get a blank stare. The answer is that in dying, He paid sin's death penalty for all who believe in Him. In rising from the dead, He conquered the power of death itself. (Romans 6:23)

This begs the question: If Jesus was resurrected, then why didn't He stay here?

It's because Jesus was on a rescue mission. When people are being held hostage, a SWAT team is sent in to extract the victims being held against their will. Jesus' resurrection established His power and authority to rescue us who were held hostage by sin and death.

"God is the One who made all things, and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory, so he made the One who leads people to salvation perfect through suffering." (Hebrews 2:10, New Century Version)

Jesus' plan all along wasn't just resurrection, but to return to heaven. (John 8:14, 13:3; 16:28, 17:11). That, however, was only part of the plan.

The ultimate goal is found in Jesus' prayer for His disciples:
"Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!" (John 17:24, New Living Translation, 2015)

Jesus' home was heaven. He rescued us to join Him there. This is poetically summarized in the last two stanzas of the carol, "Once In Royal David's City."

And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love,
For that Child so dear and gentle, is our Lord in heaven above;
And He leads His children on,
To the place where He has gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by;
We shall see Him but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high.
When like stars his children crowned,
All in white shall worship ‘round.*

*Originally, “…shall stand around.” Some hymnbooks read, “There His children gather round, Bright like stars with glory crowned.”