David's Blog » christmas carols

Fractured Christmas carols

David — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:03:29 +0000

I found some funny stuff from an old file. These come from a Youth Specialties subscription email I had years ago, 2002! You know how you hear some songs and wonder what the lyrics are. Sometime we just fill in the blanks and “make up” a line or two. Imagine what kids hear…for example. They asked kids about the titles and lines from some standards:

Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly

We 3 Kings of Porridge and Tar

On the first day of Christmas my tulip gave to me

Later on we’ll perspire, as we dream by the fire

He’s makin’ a list, chicken and rice

Noel. Noel, Barney’s the king of Israel.

With the jelly toast proclaim

Olive, the other reindeer…

Frosty the Snowman is a ferret elf they say…

Sleep in heavenly peas

In the meadow we can build a snowman, Then pretend that he is sparse and brown

You’ll go down in Listerine

Oh, what fun it is to ride with one horse, soap and hay

Come, froggy faithful

You’ll tell Carol, “Be a skunk, I require” (I think that is – Yuletide carol being sung by a fire?)

I’ll have a Big one

David — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:02:09 +0000

I was just looking through a list o f Christmas songs/carols the other day and a title caught my attention. It is a tried and true standard so I’m pretty sure the modifier doesn’t mean too much, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” But, I just had to think why a “little” Christmas?

It could mean a bunch of things and really doesn’t take away from Christmas. The song sings of friends and traditions so relationships are important. It also speaks of the present and too often we miss out on that, too. And, little could mean real or at the minimum, don’t miss the whole experience. I’m all for a true experience of the real meaning of Christmas.

However, the more I thought of Christmas the more I thought Christmas needs to be experienced in the biggest way possible because it is Jesus we celebrate. The Christmas gift is Jesus himself and that was no little exchange. Make it BIG. Celebrate Jesus with all your enthusiasm, gifts, family and friends. Give and received with Him in mind. Decorate with all you can. Sing loud with joy. Eat big, too! He is the reason to make it a Big deal.

Carols…

David — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:25:01 +0000

You hear them over and over during the season but I hope your spirit is awakened and jolted when you hear these familiar but powerful words. Silent Night is an annual favorite and there is a line in the song which describes Jesus as “…Love’s pure light.” Isn’t that awesome! Love…God. Pure…holy, blameless, unblemished. Light…no shadows or darkness.

God has given a gift that gives light to the soul. Amazing.

Carol lyrics cont’d

David — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:33:21 +0000

I love the declaration voiced in a line from I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day, “God is not dead nor doth He sleep!” What a line in the midst of a Christmas carol. You can hear the note from a bell that starts with the muted thump of the knocker hitting against the side of a giant bell and then the swelling sound of that specific note ringing out.

The “thump” of meaning from this line voices a powerful truth as God’s silence between the testaments has been broken with the Word. He’s at work with purpose redeeming the world. He’s giving his only Son to show His love. Can you hear the bells?

Christmas carol lyrics

David — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:03:40 +0000

i’m going to post a few times a week, I know shocking, but since it is Christmas time the songs and their lyrics are filling the airwaves. From time to time I’ll hear a song and get stuck in thought at the depth and wonder of its meaning. That result leads to more and deeper worship and gratitude to God for Christ and Christmas.

First, there is a line in Rocking Around the Christmas Tree that mentions in a “new, old fashioned way.” That contradiction in terms makes me think about the traditions of Christmas with my family. At some point we do new things that are old and they become ours. New couples blend their family traditions of songs, presents and meals and create a new identity and new favorites. What a great time of year.

God did a new, old fashioned way when he sent Jesus. There had been gifts but this one was greater than all. There had been babies but this one was better than all. There had been sacrifices but this one superseded them all. I’m glad God did something new. Now we may become new creations…