As the season gets started, ask God to put a Christmas hymn or a holiday gospel song on your heart. And be sure to sing it louder than the music speakers you hear while doing your Christmas shopping.
As the season gets started, ask God to put a Christmas hymn or a holiday Gospel song on your heart. And be sure to sing it louder than the music speakers you hear while doing your Christmas shopping.
This Christmas, you can give the Perfect Gift!
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Ever wonder why people say Merry Christmas?
Hi, I’m Joni and, hey, I guess it’s not too early to say that [and it is a Merry Christmas because of Jesus, our Savior]. But why say, “Merry Christmas?” Well, as my friend Bob Lepine told me; he said, “There is really only one time of year when the word ‘merry’ is a regular part of our vocabulary. We don’t wish our neighbors a ‘Merry Fourth of July.’ No one says to his or her sweetheart, ‘Merry Valentine’s Day.’ In the 21st century, if someone says the word ‘merry,’ we know what comes next. It’s either ‘go-round’ or, Christmas. Well, I take that back. There is also “God rest ye Merry gentlemen.”
Speaking of that old carol, last year this time, Ken and I were strolling through the Calabasas Commons [a village shopping area not far from us]. The sidewalks were lined with boxwoods, trees that twinkled, and rocks that played music. I think you know what I mean – you know you’re walking through your outdoor shopping area, surrounded by music, and you look to see where it’s coming from and it’s the rocks [what a sneaky way to hide sound speakers]. Anyway, Ken and I are walking by the decorated trees, and we noticed that in between Andy Williams and all his holiday classics, the rocks were singing a familiar old Christmas carol, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” And so, I start singing along with the stones: ‘God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day; to save us all from Satan’s power when we had gone astray.”
And then it hit me. There, Ken and I were standing, with people passing by, carrying packages, some strolling hand-in-hand, but each of them totally oblivious to that awesome truth. They were hearing but never perceiving the truth that we have all gone astray, all of us. That without Christ, we are all under Satan’s power. The truth that we all need to be rescued, each one of us needs a deliverer. And it’s why Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy [they are] and right there, I wanted to shout, “Hey, you people, listen to what these rocks are saying!” [Slightly reminiscent of what Jesus said, where he said he could raise up stones to praise him; if the people wouldn’t, rocks will].
It’s fascinating that the Calabasas Commons should include that Christmas carol from the 1600s on their commercial music playlist. Maybe the people who run the shopping village haven’t actually listened to what they’re putting out there for the general public because they are playing the gospel. The good news is that, although we are sinners, Christ was born to save us from the power of the evil one. What a comfort, what a joy. And what a reminder that we shouldn’t wait for stones and rocks to sing of God’s good news. And to get you started, I want to give you a free gift today. Consider it an early Christmas gift. It’s written by my good friend Bob Lepine, and it’s called “The Four Emotions of Christmas.” Because, yes, it’s a season of joy and celebration, but for some, Christmas can feel a little disappointing. So, for your free copy of “The Four Emotions of Christmas,” just go to joniradio.org and ask for your gift. Again that’s joniradio.org. And as the season gets started, ask God to put a Christmas hymn or a holiday gospel song on your heart. And be sure to sing it louder than the rocks. God bless you today and thanks for listening!
© Joni and Friends