One of my earliest memories is of a cold, dark night in the backseat of my parent’s Century Buick on the way to see my grandfather for Christmas. I distinctly remember listening to beautiful old hymns on a wobbly tape as we passed houses adorned with Christmas lights. A song burned in my memory still takes me back to those quiet nights in the car every time I hear it – Of The Father’s Love Begotten. If the lyrics are unfamiliar to you, listen to this hauntingly beautiful and ancient piece:
The other night, some of us went caroling to local nursing homes. I was reminded of two things: first, the elderly love to be visited, and while I often have the good intention of visiting, I don’t do it often enough. Second, I forgot how much I love old, more unusual Christmas carols, partly for their enchanting beauty, but also for their depth (Of the Father’s Love Begotten chief among them).
Take, for instance, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (click here to read all the lyrics):
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
If you can spare the time in your busy week, consider relaxing by the open fire with your hot coco and listen to the old carols. It’s almost too cliché to say, but if you really reflect on them, there’s a depth that will edify you and necessarily remind you of the ‘reason for the season’ – Jesus. As we find in Philippians:
“[Jesus] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing, by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!”
To all our clients, contractors, and friends – have a warm and merry Christmas!