Let It Be Christmas Everywhere

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14 ESV).

Merry Christmas, Y’all! I know that may be a bit difficult for some who are not as familiar with the “Southern” dialect. However, I trust you will understand it comes as a very sincere hope that today will be the best of days for each and everyone who reads this little thought. I have also included one of my favorite Christmas songs from Alan Jackson. He was born October 17, 1958 and is best known for honoring a “neotraditional country” musical style, and for penning many of his own songs. He has recorded 16 studio albums, three greatest hits albums, two Christmas albums, and two gospel albums. His Christmas song, “Let It Be Christmas Everywhere” has been a favorite of mine. This will be the last “carol” I’ll feature for a while. I hope you listen to this one. It is found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP2iZjefvss&list=RDmP2iZjefvss&index=1. Few things are more tragic than taking Christmas for granted. Sometimes I think we tend to merely view it in stride. It’s as if the spirit and magic, that alluring sense of supernatural goodness, are just things meant for children. Somehow we have confused the truth of Christmas with the fable of Santa. I hope I never get used to Christmas. Think of it. There is something so remarkable that pagan astrologers take to flight for the long, arduous journey westward. Something so good is in the offing that a wicked king commands the slaughter of innocents. Something so unusual that simple shepherds, who thought they’d seen it all, are filled with great fear, then leave their flocks in haste to find this baby the angels have spoken about, and then can’t keep quiet. This great first-century wonder, worth announcing with angelic host, and telling everyone who will listen, finds its heart in this: “unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Not only is this the advent of the long-awaited Messiah, but this is “the Lord.” God himself has come. Here, finally, after centuries of waiting, is the true Immanuel. Here is “God with us” (cf. Matthew 1:23). It is news too spectacular to say all at once. Day after day will pour forth speech in the life of this child. Act after act will reveal piece by piece that this human somehow shares the divine identity of Yahweh, “the Lord” of Israel and the nations. Page after page in the Gospels, story after story, will show us progressively more and more that this one who is so manifestly man is also truly God. This is the great spectacle for those shepherds and magi, and it is the wonder we ourselves, who have lived our blessed lives knowing this truth, should aspire to taste again each Christmas. In case you rushed through the lyrics of the song… read them more closely: Let it be Christmas everywhere In the hearts of all people both near and a far Christmas everywhere Feel the love of the season wherever you are On the small country roads lined with green mistletoe Big city streets where a thousand lights glow Let it be Christmas everywhere Let heavenly music fill the air Let every heart sing let every bell ring The story of hope and joy and peace And let it be Christmas everywhere Let heavenly music fill the air Let anger and fear and hate disappear Let there be love that lasts through the year Let it be Christmas Christmas everywhere Let it be Christmas everywhere With the gold and silver, the green and the red Christmas everywhere In the smiles of all children asleep in their beds In the eyes of young babies their first… Yep… Merry Christmas, Y’all!