in defense of Christmas carols

long lay the world

in sin

and error

                       pining

until   HE   appeared,

and the soul felt its worth

 

 

in one of the advent readings i read this month the writer encouraged me to make space for worship, and one of his admonishments was to sing regular worship songs rather than Christmas carols.

 

WHAT?! 

 

i wanted to write him and ask if he's ever really paid attention to the carols.  i know that they can be overdone, overlooked, washed-out, used for sentimentality and commercialism, crooned out by grade 6 bands and pop singers in ear-decaying fashion. but.

 

what could be more worship inspiring than the above words?  they have reverberated in me these past weeks - and the soul felt its worth.  long i lay, pining away in my life of sin and error, and then God broke in and offered me worth.  this season, and the whole story of our world, culminates in the Creator God revealing the worth of His creation by becoming a part of it.  fall on your knees!  hear the angel voices!!  o night divine!!!

 

i had the incredible privilege of singing back-up for the worship in our Christmas Eve service last night.  we sang this song, o holy night,  and it was utterly overwhelming - so much so, that i realized i was belting it out a little off key and needed to simmer down :). 

 

chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

and in His name

all oppression shall cease

 

preach it Christmas Carol!!

 

i went to the saskatoon children's choir's Christmas concert and was struck with how at this time of year people of any faith welcome the gospel into their ears.  surely somebody is actually listening.

 

we have had a very silent Christmas, if you don't count the ambulance siren and croupy cough of our son.  no extended family, no friends even (thanks to infectious viruses), just us.  it's been very relaxed and cozy.  naps, tea, snacks, the sound of music, lego, reading.  i haven't stepped outside of the house all day however and i'm feeling that we are going to have to brave the boxing day parking lots tomorrow just to give me a field trip. 

 

i made no turkey.  i did not overachieve.  i haven't swept my floor in days.  aren't you proud of me?

 

the kids are now tucked up in their beds.  i wonder when my five year old will start asking "how many days until Christmas?" again.  could be next week.  i'm off for a peaceful night with my hubby. 

 

i pray for a silent night for you all, heavenly peace-filled sleeps, and the dawn of redeeming grace tomorrow.