Christmas can be a wondrous and joyful time full of the laughter and warmth of loved ones, family and friends. For some, however, it can also be the loneliest time of the year. Separated from loved ones by distance, circumstance or even death, the joyful celebration of others serve only to magnify the empty gnawing within.
I have experienced a few Christmases alone and lonely. I still remember how cruel it can feel when walking the empty snow covered streets in the evening and passing by a window alight with the glow and warmth of the festive joy and happiness inside and knowing that you had no place there. Instead, the cold biting wind reminds you that you are very much alone.
For those of us who are blessed with plenty, let us be grateful and thankful and remember those who have not such succor or comfort. This following song by Sarah MacLachlan reflects just this magnification of loneliness, in this case, because of the passing of a loved one.
Vodpod videos no longer available.But the whole message of Christmas is that God sent His own son, Jesus Christ, to be born in a manger more than 2000 years ago, on a mission to deal with sin and its consequences and to bring us all back under His love. No more need we fear death nor will we ever be alone again. Emmanuel. God with us. So many think of a helpless baby at Christmas, but so much hope and light enters the world for all time through this babe.
My second offering is a song by Bruce Cockburn called “The Cry of a Tiny Babe”. Not a great video but the song is great and do take time to read the meaningful lyrics.
May you have a blessed Christmas, surrounded by loved ones and the warmth of God’s love.
Vodpod videos no longer available.Cry of a Tiny Babe
Mary grows a child without the help of a man
Joseph get upset because he doesn’t understand
Angel comes to Joseph in a powerful dream
Says “God did this and you’re part of his scheme”
Joseph comes to Mary with his hat in his hand
Says “forgive me I thought you’d been with some other man”
She says “what if I had been – but I wasn’t anyway and guess what
I felt the baby kick today”
Like a stone on the surface of a still river
Driving the ripples on forever
Redemption rips through the surface of time
In the cry of a tiny babe
The child is born in the fullness of time
Three wise astrologers take note of the signs
Come to pay their respects to the fragile little king
Get pretty close to wrecking everything
‘Cause the governing body of the whole [Holy] land
Is that of Herod, a paranoid man
Who when he hears there’s a baby born King of the Jews
Sends death squads to kill all male children under two
But that same bright angel warns the parents in a dream
And they head out for the border and get away clean
Like a stone on the surface of a still river
Driving the ripples on forever
Redemption rips through the surface of time
In the cry of a tiny babe
There are others who know about this miracle birth
The humblest of people catch a glimpse of their worth
For it isn’t to the palace that the Christ child comes
But to shepherds and street people, hookers and bums
And the message is clear if you’ve got [you have] ears to hear
That forgiveness is given for your guilt and your fear
It’s a Christmas gift [that] you don’t have to buy
There’s a future shining in a baby’s eyes
Like a stone on the surface of a still river
Driving the ripples on forever
Redemption rips through the surface of time
In the cry of a tiny babe
Realm of the Lone Grey Squirrel 