Surviving the Song of the Season

I struggle with Christmas. You're heard all this before about returning to the real meaning of Christmas. Simplifying. Focusing on the Incarnation instead of the inhalation of as many parties, gifts and food as possible. The season is turning into a celebration of family. "Make someone happy this year." "Get the family together." "Make this the best Christmas ever."

I have no arguments about quality family time, letting those you love know you love them. But sometimes I feel this desperate urge to retreat from everyone so that I can remember the Someone who made me able to love, give and have hope.

About a year ago, I realized that I do have a few special minutes in all the holiday bustle where it all becomes clear. These few minutes are Christmas to me. I anticipate the moment, and usually weep for joy when they come. This is it: our family tradition was always to play one particular song on Christmas morning. That was the signal for all the kids upstairs that they could come down and start the fun. The song is this: (Done by "Glad--Acapella Project)

In the first light of a new day
No one knew He had arrived
Things continued as they had been
While a new born softly cried.

But the heavens wrapped in wonder
Knew the meaning of His birth
In the weakness of a baby
They knew God had come to earth.

As His mother held him closely,
It was hard to understand
That her baby not yet speaking
Was the Word of God to man.

He would tell them of His kingdom,
But their hearts would not believe
They would hate Him and in anger
They would nail Him to a tree.

But the sadness would be broken
As the song of life arose
And the First born of creation
Would ascend and take his throne.

He has left it to redeem us,
But before His life began
He knew He´d come back not as a baby
But as The Lord of ev´ry man.

Hear the angels as they´re singing
On the morning of His birth
But how much greater will our song be
When He comes again
When He comes again

Hear the angels as they´re singing
On the morning of His birth
But how much greater will our song be
When He comes again to Earth

When He comes to rule the Earth!

If you have not heard this song, I believe you can hear it on iTunes. I'm no music buff, but this moves me like no other song. If you could go to heaven for one single deed, I believe the singer in this song would deserve that reward for hitting that one last note--piercingly beautiful--sometimes I wonder if I will survive till he finishes that note!