So, this is Christmas – and what have you done? Are you hanging up your stockings on the wall – it’s the time when every Santa has a ball! With logs on the fire and gifts on the tree, a time to rejoice in the good that we see.
Music plays a very powerful role in the run-up to Christmas. And while the shops have been blasting popular tunes like the ones above for what feels like months now, we shouldn’t underestimate the usefulness of the humble Christmas carol in helping us, and those who maybe don’t go to church or even consider themselves Christian, understand something about the reason for the season – Jesus Christ, God incarnate, the word made flesh, given as the greatest gift to us over 2,000 years ago.
Yes, some of the theology may be slightly off in one or two of our favourites – as beloved as Away in a Manger will always be, a baby cries to communicate its needs; even one that is fully human as well as full God – but most of our festive favourites can, if we pay attention, lead us to understand something of the awesome, life changing generosity shown to us Christmas.
One that sticks out to me is In the Bleak Midwinter. Having lived in Stanley for many years I can totally understand the writer’s image of snow falling snow on snow, snow on snow – but it’s the fourth and final verse that gets me every time.
“What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart”
When we sing this line, it’s worth pausing to think what it is we’re offering here. When asked which was the greatest commandment, Jesus answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
To give our heart to Jesus means committing to following him, listening to him and seeking his will for us and our brothers and sisters. To give our heart to Jesus means recognising that all we have comes from God and is gifted to us to use in his service. To give our hearts to Jesus means shifting our thinking from “how much of what’s mine do I choose to give away,” to “how much of what’s God’s do I choose to keep?”
So, this Christmas sing loud and proud in celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour. But remember to listen to the words and allow God to challenge you with them, so each one of us can truly reflect the world changing, life saving generosity of Jesus today, tomorrow, and throughout 2024.
Have a wonderful Christmastime!
Paul