This Christmas, boldly sing praises to Christ. Enjoy worshipping him in song, and have a blessed Christmas.
Hi, I’m Joni and we’re only a few days before Christmas. And I just bet you’re hearing Christmas classics everywhere you go, like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Well, the composer of that song was my friend Hugh Martin. When he came to Hollywood after leaving New York, he fell on difficult times, which led this dear man to the feet of Jesus. It was when he gave his life over to the Savior that Hugh Martin went back to his piano and he composed fresh, new words to this wonderful classic. Now, Hugh went home to be with Jesus in 2011 at the age of 96. But I have a recording of a fun phone conversation with him that I’d love for you to hear…
HUGH: Hello!
JONI: Hi, is this Hugh?
HUGH: Yes, it’s Hugh. How are you and what’s your life like these days?
JONI: My life is busy. Well, let me tell you what is going on here, Hugh.
HUGH: Okay.
JONI: I wanted to ask if I could sing for you – you know – “Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas?” We got so much response from it last year we’re going to redo it. You’ve only played it like, about probably 758,000 times.
HUGH: Yeah, but this was the best one, with you. That’s the one I like best.
(Joni sings:)
Christmas future is far away,
Christmas past is past.
Christmas present is here to stay,
With a joy that will last.
Have yourself a blessed little Christmas,
Christ the King is born.
Let your voices ring upon this happy morn.
Have yourself a blessed little Christmas,
Serenade the earth.
Tell the world we celebrate the Savior’s birth.
Let us gather to sing to him,
And to bring to him our praise.
Son of God and a friend to all,
To the end of all our days.
Let us all proclaim the joyous tidings,
Voices raised on high.
Send this carol soaring up into the sky.
This very merry, blessed Christmas lullaby.
Sing hosannas, hymns & hallelujahs,
As to him we bow,
Make the music mighty as the heav’ns allow.
And have yourself a blessed little Christmas now.
HUGH: Oh, Joni, that was just perfect!
JONI: Oh, Hugh, thanks so much. And friend listening, if you’d like the words to this version, just go to my radio page today at joniradio.org and download the lyrics. Also, I’ll provide a link on my radio page to the television episode that we produced on this wonderful composer, Hugh Martin! And have a blessed Christmas weekend!
© Joni and Friends