Friday, December 22, 2006

Beyond the First Verse of Christmas

I know the first verses of our Christmas carols so well, right? When it comes time to sing the first verses, I belt them out with all the Christmas spirit I can muster, and it is something to rival the angels.

Then comes the second verse. And the third. And the fourth. Which are sung with sneaked peaks at the song book and slightly less bravado. If I had to sing from memory, I'd average 1 correct word in 3. I simply never paid as much attention to the verses after the first.

Those poor neglected verses.

This year, however, I considered them closely.
And I found that those beautiful verses are the ones who give the meaning to the story of Christmas...

What happens after the baby is born in a stable and laid in a manger?

How am I changed by the story?

How is the world changed by the story?

The latter verses tell.


We're leaving for the homeland tonight, so I'll be taking a blogging sabbatical.

Merry Christmas, my friends.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

5 comments:

Michelle said...

Can't wait to see you in real life again!

Tina said...

I am sorry I will miss seeing you! Have a safe trip back here. Have a great Christmas visiting with family.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, haven't blogged in a while. Can't wait to see you again. Have a safe and hopefully child sleepy trip.

Lorraine said...

Many years ago I actually spent the Advent season memorizing the "other verses" of my favorite carols...you're right...the strong meat usually shows up in the later verses.

Have a very blessed Christmas.

tami said...

I really listened to the christmas carols this year and was really touched. I don't even feel funny listening to it after christmas, especially when you listen to the whole story. Thanks.