Do you like to put on Christmas music to set the mood as you wrap gifts and decorate?
Maybe you noticed that many holiday songs conjure a sense of longing for more.
Some of the songs may have you dreaming of snow or a loved one’s homecoming or just someone to love. They may have you crooning about troubles being out of sight or Santa bringing gifts or nostalgic gatherings taking place. The Christian carols often focus on the beginning fulfillment of the longings for salvation. The songs usually tell us about the night Jesus was born into his creation, with thoughts lingering on the angels rejoicing or the onlookers wondering or the wise men approaching. The coming savior of the world is being celebrated.
Ponder the lyrics of these carols, which can help your heart prepare for Christmas:
“Come, thou long expected Jesus; born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart” (“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” verse 1).
“Hark! The herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn king: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!’ Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic hosts proclaim, ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’” (“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” verse 1).
“How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in” (“O Little Town of Bethlehem” verse 3).
“Joy to the world; the Lord is come; let Earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing” (“Joy to the World” verse 1).
“We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light” (“We Three Kings of Orient Are” verse 1 and refrain).
Each day we, too, can seek Jesus, the Perfect Light, and offer him our gifts of love, worship, service, and surrender.
Our longing for more is satisfied by the only one who truly satisfies. Only Jesus is able heal our broken relationship with God, fill what we lack and meet our deepest needs, give us hope and light in a world of darkness, and offer us lasting peace.
May this Christmas and each day hold a joyous and meaningful celebration of God’s gift to the world!
Did you know that each week of Keep on Track you can listen to a song that represents the verse’s theme? Keep God’s words in your heart and mind – and sing about it!