Do You Hear What I Hear?

When the red and green tinsel shows on the horizon, and children begin to smile more and misbehave less there most certainly will be Christmas Carols covering the airwaves. A true carol is based upon Christian lyrics and generally relate in some way to the Nativity. It is said that the first carols were introduced to the church by St. Francis of Assisi in the 12 Th century. Later, the staunch Protestant Oliver Cromwell banned many of the Christmas carols that had joyous themes and those have been lost forever. Fortunately, other writers of Christmas carols were raised up and today we can enjoy them not only in a church setting but in our cars, at the mall, and sometimes we still get to hear them at Christmas concerts- but that is only in brave schools willing to be less "politically correct".

We are all very familiar with the first verses of these carols but this week I took the time to read through them. If we would only pay attention to the words we mumble along with as we mindlessly sing this songs I believe lives would be changed. Here are some examples of later verses of songs you know by heart.

1. Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there.

2. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

3. O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel.

4. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

5. Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

How sad that even with so many wonderful reminders of the real reason behind Christmas we can get lost in the shiny wrapping paper and bows, the gifts and the "I gotta have it" woes. No other birthday celebration cause the fuss and the contention that this one does. There are no huge debates over how Kilo's birthday should be celebrated. OK , let me rephrase that one, there are no huge debates on national tv about how Kilo's birthday should be celebrated or if it should be called a sparkle season, or snowflake holiday. Nope, only one small child holds such power to bring men to their knees or to arms over him. All I have to say is, Thank You Jesus, oh and Happy Birthday!


Just in case you thought you knew but were not sure:
1. Away in the Manger(Kilo's Favorite), 2. Hark the Herald Angels Sing, 3. Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, 4.Joy to the World, 5. O Holy Night.

Carl and I wish all of you a very blessed Christmas.
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