Sunday, December 21
Maybe the greatest Christmas song ever…
Christmas always frustrates me a little.Don’t get me wrong, I really love the Christmas season…I love the sights, the sounds (I get out my Christmas music usually in October), the smells, the family time, and the traditions (for the most part). But I don’t care much for the shopping, the traffic, the nativity scenes on lawns that include Santa and his elves, (as I’m sure many of you don’t), and much of what can only be described as part of the “X-Mas Spirit”.
I shared a lot of my ‘Christmas angst’ this morning at Crossings…you can listen here. (it should be available in a couple of days)
I guess I wrestle around so much with the fact that what the birth of Jesus meant to the culture He was born into (Good news for God’s people…freedom from oppression, hope in a hopeless world, a way toward a restored relationship with God) that it should mean the same thing to us today. And I’m not sure it does…or if it does, it’s hard to see in the midst of the glitter that is Christmas.
Anyway, in the midst of my yearly struggle, I came across this song by Jackson Browne written in the 70’s. Bill sang it today as part of the teaching. (I’ll try and post that recording of it when it’s available…for now, you’ll have to settle for just the lyrics.)
I think it may be the greatest Christmas song ever…
Rebel Jesus, by Jackson Browne
All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
They’ll be gathering around the hearths and tales
Giving thanks for all God’s graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus
Well they call him by the prince of peace
And they call him by the savior
And they pray to him upon the seas
And in every bold endeavor
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold
And their faith in him increases
But they’ve turned the nature that I worshipped in
From a temple to a robbers den
In the words of the rebel Jesus
We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why they are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus
But please forgive me if I seem
To take the tone of judgment
For I’ve no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In this life of hardship and of earthly toil
We have need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure
And I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus
Mark Nelson at 9:41 PM 2comments
2 Comments
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at 11:58 AM
Cricket's Hero said... I agree. Good song. Bebo Norman also sing a good rendition of the song.
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at 6:57 PM
said... Kevin and I watched "What Would Jesus Buy" today. Sounds like you'd enjoy it. Here's the link to the trailer...
http://wwjbmovie.com/trailer_med.html