Perhaps my all time favorite Chritmas song follows.  Sung by the incredibly gifted group Over The Rhine, led by husband-wife duo of Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist.  In many literary and musical references, a white horse is used to represent forgiveness… that is what it sybolizes in this song, and the meaning is not fully understood otherwise.

It’s a song about Christmas, the hope that God provides us, life, death, and our ultimate redemption as we ride our white horse through the sky.  If not a traditional carol, it is beautiful and touching nonetheless.

OK, I’m not normal.  Kind of bi-polar in a non-destructive sort of way.  I just don’t have much middle ground.  I love Christmas, the sappy movies make me cry, I have so many sweet memories of the mystery and joy of being a child at Christmas… but I also hold the commercialism of the season in disdain and mourn the loss of the true meaning of Christmas.  So, while I enjoy traditional Christmas music far more than most, I also enjoy music that is as challenging and non-traditional as the Listener “Just In Time For Christmas” album.  But this will be the last one.  Give it some real thought.

Those herald angels?  They are singing again.  They’re screaming.  In fact, they never stopped.  Why don’t I listen?  Why don’t I repeat the message myself?  Every day and every moment?  The joy and majesty of His plan fills them with a message they HAVE to tell - because they understand and see the level and extent of the glory, majesty, mercy, and grace of Jesus’ coming.  Listen.  They’re still singing to announce His plan.  I need to be too.  He is worthy of nothing less.  This song gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes because when I picture the angels singing the message in the heavens it is such a grand and glorious picture.  And the thought that they have never stopped… and that I get to participate in their song and message.  Deep stuff…  full of joy.. and challenge.

http://listener.bandcamp.com/track/hey-those-herald-angels-are-singing-again-listen

well, those angels they’re singing again
oh ye of little faith you can’t see it
they’re on the clouds, peace on earth good will to men
they sing it from the heart and they mean it
and I can’t quite prove that it’s real
and it’s more than just something that I feel
Glory to the newborn king
as they sing, oh just let them sing
and I’ll go along with it because of who they are
so ominous they’ve come from so very far
I don’t have the answers but I believe it
It sounds kind of crazy but I need it
we all do, it was planned before time began
for a woman and a man to be dealt this hand
and a baby would come to be a man
and be born that day in bethlehem
and there was no room anywhere for the birth
in a stables he was born the king of all the earth
so humbly they weep the story for us all
to tell of all his glory the angels one and all
singing

well, those angels they’re singing again
oh ye of little faith you can’t see it
they’re on the clouds, peace on earth good will to all men
they sing it from the heart and they mean it
he is the perfect reason why we celebrate
we pervert it make it ours try and dominate
why do we feel the need to water down
what he came to do, bear the cross, wear the crown
just calm down, calm down and breathe
and let this cold breeze break you down to your knees
as the angels tell it he came for anyone
he loves everyone, take the cross, choose his son
he was born, lived, and died, and reigns for you and I
it’s the hardest thing for me sometimes to live by
but I try and I fail, I’m a sinner and a fake
but trust me when I say this path I gladly take
and I can’t really say it like I feel it
but when those angels sing it In my heart I believe it
Glory to the newborn king, can you hear it. oh just listen

well, those angels they’re singing again
oh ye of little faith you can’t see it
they’re on the clouds, peace on earth good will to all men
they sing it from the heart and they mean it
and he’s sleeping now he has no pillow for his head
wrapped in rags instead, only hay for his bed
he was homeless when he came to this earth
humbly as a child he was born with much worth
and the angels scream it for the crowds
they climbed high in the clouds and sung it so loud
their king was born & they gathered through the night
while the stars shone bright to guide their flight
and they sing, they sing it so loud, they sing it so proud
can you hear it right now. oh listen

Or… something like that.  OK, I’m not quite into the traditional Christmas fare yet.  Another Listener Christmas classic twist.  I honestly think this guy is one of the very few artistic geniuses of our time.  He has a special gift to impart emotion, express pain, hope, and the human condition.  All using things that are very real to us, yet taking thing familiar and making them foreign and strange to jar us into real contemplation of the message.  Using humor as a veneer over a vast depth of meaning and purpose.  The first time you listen to yesterday’s link and today’s, you’;ll probably think I’m nuts.  I gueses I won’t dispute that, but - be that as it may, it does not necessarily mean I am wrong.  Listen again and consider the truth in the words, and the purpose that truth should impart to us.

So… enjoy, or if you can’t… be patient with me.  I just love this music and want to share the (for me) true perspective (and thus joy) that it brings.

http://listener.bandcamp.com/track/its-christmas-time-again-so-come-on-home-to-the-fire

Oh the weather outside is frightful
but the fire, well the fire is right there laughing at you
you’ve got no place to go
let it rain, let it pour, let it snow.
it doesn’t show signs of slowing
and that’s just your luck, but that’s just how you are
your heart is turned way down low
let it rain, let it pour, let it snow.

it’s october 25th and I can see the first signs
there’s an elf riding a reindeer in the store near the blinds
with a wreath around his neck and a froth on his lips
he yells at me and pumps his sweaty little fist
and declares war, a war that we know all too well
but then he smiles and rings his dirty little bell
and it’s in the papers it’s on the shelves it’s in your face
santa and his holiday have come to this place
for sure, OH be sure that you know it
I’m worse for the wear and I hope it’s not showing
fall is over now time goes by so fast
it’s all over now I knew it couldn’t last
there’s a reason and I’m sure someone will remind me
but I have shopping to do so get behind me (and push)

it’s november 25th and oh my we’re moving now
just had a second of thanks, but it’s time to run the plow
I’ve got an idea turkey let me tie your feet with wires
and AMERICA size you and then throw you on the fire
and lick our lips and let our eyes roll like marbles
and trash another tradition fill our stomachs till we warble
it’s my fault too, I get too busy putting things off
and waste away my thoughts with ones that I’ve bought
and we’ve paid a heavy price gladly let’s top it with oil
and grease down the wheels so our brakes won’t spoil
the fun at the end of a gun
doing what we’re told to do can be so much fun
it’s time to celebrate oh ye of little faith
so fill your carts with garbage to decorate your cage
so happy shopping holiday and please help the economy
and say a prayer for your bank account and GOD BLESS the bombing

Oh the weather outside is frightful
but the fire, well the fire is laughing at you
you’ve got no place to go
let it rain, let it pour, let it snow.
and it doesn’t show signs of stopping
but that’s just your luck, and it’s just how you are
why is your heart turned down so low
let it rain, let it pour, let it snow.

It’s December 25th, so go tell it on the mountain
that’s it’s finally here and your tree looks like a fountain
exploding with gifts and lights and returns
for the stores, we all pray it won’t burn
your home this year for hot cider and regret
and guilt trips hanging low near your heavy head
put your shoes on it’s time to run through the motions
and mix some anti depressants up in the potion
what have we done? remembering the reason
looking out for number one is the theme of the season
you’ve made your list and you’ve checked it a hundred times
but you forgot to mention who came for you to be tried
and killed and buried only to rise again that day
maybe that’s when you’ll have a happy holidays
God bless America? how about America Bless God
and love others like ourselves

OK, I promise… I’ll do something traditional and sweet in one last post before Christmas.  Because… believe it or not, I’m not always strange.  I actually like the sweet, sentimental Christmas movies and songs.  But this is not one of those.  But it’s good… it’s a well, let’s call it a creative twist on the little drummer boy.

http://listener.bandcamp.com/track/dont-touch-the-drums-boy

Don’t touch the drums boy that’s the theme of the evening
and if I catch you near them you’ll get a real good beating
the man said to his face, said it wasn’t his place
but he didn’t listen, grabbed the sticks and began ripping
he started with the right and then with the left
and back again and again till it hurt his chest
and he drums out, it’s all he has to bring
he has no gifts for a king, no gold or rings
and he plays for justice, freedom and for life
in his hands he continues all throughout the night
and he’s just a boy, he’s a boy with no tomorrow
head filled with truths and lies and he borrows
he borrows the rhythm the 1 and the 2, and it speaks to you, it speaks to you
come and play they told him then, we need what you have to give
I have nothing for a king he said, nothing but this riff
and he played his drum for him, he played his best for him
he gave his gifts to him, he gave his best to him. oh no

and we wait for gold, for perfect hearts and homes
we wait until we can afford to come to clean to the throne
but that boy had it right, he knew what he had to give
it wasn’t big or expensive it was his best that he lived
and somehow he knew it, I don’t know how but he did
he figured it all out in his heart in his head
and I’ll tell the stories, it’s all I know how to do
while dust plays out the drums out for me and you
please give your best don’t think your gifts are small
that’s what he wants from us more than all
but we have to be brave and push right up to the front
even if people tell us that’s what no one wants
and in your heart you know what you have to give
this Christmas put others first in how you live
and give Christ the glory in this very special way
after all it’s his birthday have a happy holy day

I’ve actually kind of bummed myself out writing this and listening to the song.  I’m not bummed about the song.  It makes me smile, and challenges me to honor Jesus’ birth in a real way - the way I believe we should.  I guess I’m just a bit sad that I have to call this perspective on Christmas unconventional.  We have to be brave and push right up to the front.  Even if people tell us that’s what no one wants.

Please, read and help.

http://projecthopeful.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/urgent-call-for-help-for-the-buoniconti-family/

Here goes a confession…I love Jesus.  I have a heart that aches (sometimes beyond what is reasonable) for those who are hurting in this world.  Now for what could surprise some of you… I also love and value Christmas.  More shocking, I don’t think Jesus is super caught up in Christmas.  There, I said it, Jesus doesn’t (in my opinion) care about His “big day”, beyond any other. 

The Gospel is the “Power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”(Romans 1:16)  In it “a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.” (Romans 1:17)  This is ENORMOUSLY good news!  It requires a response that changes EVERY SINGLE LITTLE THING about how we live, who we serve, and what we value.  The truth of the gospel reveals the message that it is our whole purpose as believers to share.  Our whole lives have no legitimate purpose beyond reflecting who our Lord is here in this earth until He returns. 

So, back to Christmas, I completely understand and appreciate the adjustments that people are making in their modes of participation in this American cultural event.  Is it appropriate to spend billions of dollars on things we don’t need?  Of course not, but that is not special for Christmas.  How about we stop self indulgent consumerism as a way of life, generally?  I think Jesus cares about our fully surrendering to His plan and Lordship everyday. 

My family will continue to take what is valuable in keeping the tradition of Christmas.  We will continue to snuggle up in front of Christmas movies.  We will enjoy Christmas music and Christmas cookies.  We will work on surprises for each other, and for a few friends.  My little girls may even find a wished for dolly under the tree.  We will think of others and give extra (till it “hurts”) to those who have need.  We will build traditions and make memories with the children whom the Lord has brought us, but have precious little time with.  We will reflect on and rejoice in the miracle of our salvation and relationship with the God of the Universe. 

We will not spend incredible amounts of money.  We will not look through catalogs and make lists of things that we want, or worse, think we need.  We will not even shop, for the most part, in typical stores.  We will also not teach our children that Santa is real, although we don’t mind enjoying him as a cultural figure and representation of selfless giving.  Truly, though, these are not special Christmas rules.  These are just consequences of a different world view held everyday.  I am guessing that our everyday is what really matters, and our celebrations at Christmas can be held without compromising hearts surrendered to a God who didn’t stop in His plan for our salvation at just making us servants, but instead made us His own children and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). AMAZING!

...and dwelt among us.

Think about that.  Really.  Stop reading and think about that for a few minutes.

Why are we not in awe of that.  Why are we more concerned and angry that store clerks say “Happy Holidays” in stead of “Merry Christmas”?  GOD became flesh and dwelt among us.  He made it clear what He cares about - in the law, the prophets, Jesus’ words, and letters to the early church.  He wants a crazy, 100%, self-sacrificial, pour yourself out kind of love for those around us.  Both those that deserve it and those who don’t.  The kind of love that would make GOD become flesh and live with and die for sinners like me.

We’ve missed the point.  I’ll give the benefit of the doubt to the Church - conceding that our intent is to honor Him.  But we’re not.  We’ve missed the point if our focus is on the specific word people use to label a holiday.  We’ve missed the point if our focus is on forcing our views on others - defending ourselves and our traditions against the world around us.  Jesus faced a world just as hostile to His message.  His response was love.  Love that looked past people’s faults and saw their needs.  Love that attacked others only when their attitudes and actions put culture, formalities, and religion ahead of loving and caring for people. When we make Jesus so compelling and so attractive by truly duplicating His love, that is when all the things we want to change will change.