My Favorite Christmas Song

 

"Put Christ Back Into Christmas"

by Red Foley, George Beverly Shea

 

Don't wish me Merry Xmas

Nor Happy Holiday,

Put Christ back into Christmas

On this blessed holy day.

 

Put Christ back into Christmas

Like on that silent night

When the star of Bethlehem

Gave way to new born life.

 

Let all the world give glory

To Christ the King of Kings

Let children hear the story

Of love our Savior brings.

 

Put Christ back into Christmas

While shepherds watch and pray

As angels sing the glory of

Our Lord on Christmas Day.

 

Let all the world give glory

Let children hear the story

 

Put Christ back into Christmas

While shepherds watch and pray

As angels sing the glory of

Our Lord this Christmas Day.

 

 

 

 
Meditation
 

Don't wish me Merry Xmas!

Larry Myers

 

Growing up in the 1960s, I have realized that our family could have easily been mistaken for the family from that great Christmas movie classic, "A Christmas Story," as could be so many other families from that time.  I guess that's the point of the movie.  At our house, Thanksgiving would come and go, and then out would come the Christmas albums - well before any thoughts of a Christmas tree could be acted upon!

 

Now, my Mother loved Country and Western music, but her favorite Gospel singer was George Beverly Shea.  I heard his voice wafting through the house so often during the Decembers of my youth, that I can easily sing along with the old recordings now.  And that's a good thing!  Old George had it going on - a deep, manly bass which demanded attention, yet with a gentle delivery which spoke deeply of his faith and his desire to carry you to it.

 

This particular song always evokes fond memories of those times.  Getting ready for the Christmas Pageant at church, putting up the Christmas tree, making tons of candy and cookies, putting up our stockings, and finally, on Christmas eve, as we all quietly sat around the phonograph, listening to a recorded message from Billy Graham followed by a song from George Beverly Shea. 

 

But George's song, "Put Christ Back Into Christmas," was for us the quintessential identifier of the Christmas Season.  The replacement term, "Xmas," had begun to reach a new level of popularity at that time, but I could never understand why anyone would use it.  In my young naivete, I couldn't fathom why you just wouldn't speak the name "Christ" out loud.  If I said, "Xmas" it sounded, gross, incomplete, dishonorable, and just flat out wrong!

 

So, don't wish me "Merry Xmas," as I won't be responding in kind.  Instead, wish me a hardy "Merry Christmas,"  your heart bursting with the joy and love of what that truly means!

 

Wishing you and yours a Blessed and Merry Christmas, rejoicing in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  May His blessings continue to shine in your lives.  Amen! 
Reflection

 

 

I admit, I may be a bit biased, but I think that my Mother was right!  Nobody sings it better than George Beverly Shea.  Click HERE to listen to his version of this timeless classic.  


  
Prayer

Creator God, my love for you continues to grow as my faltering steps continue.  Your love carries me ever forward!  Thank you Lord for the birth of our Lord and Savior! Help me to keep the true meaning of Christmas throughout the year, such that the Light of Jesus may shine through me that others may  see and believe.  Thank you, Lord, that you are always with me as I declare your praises to the world.  Through your Son - Love's Pure Light - Jesus Christ.  Amen.