In the concert and in the car and right now: devastating to think of the violence. Who were singing that first Christmas day
This stanza takes me to the father in Mark (chapter 9) who was desperate for Jesus to heal his son: “Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe help my unbelief!’”Īnd these weapons we still love to handle We think about healing in the humanitarian and disaster fields-and the lack of healing, and the slowness of healing. We had lots of conversations about how they tell the healing stories. Whatever joy we get to is going to be real.Ī couple of weeks ago we talked with Dallas Jenkins, who created The Chosen, a creative telling of the story of Jesus that is now one of the most popular shows in the world. Then a great line about longing for the guiding star. What a poetically piercing line about sin and scar. A path to Christmas joy that isn’t superficial. I love how gently we’re welcomed into the beauty of the lights on the tree, right alongside the sadness of realizing what has been lost. I think back on my life in this stillness In part, it’s made me reflect on what we're doing in The Better Samaritan-trying to do good better, the needs and risks involved, the sadness that can feel heavier this time of year, and the need for God’s grace to guide the way.Īnd the tree in the corner burns brightly My heart sang! I’ve been replaying one song. My wife joined with my kids to ban me from playing Sufjan Steven’s great Christmas album, my primary December music since 2006.Ī few weeks ago, I went to a small theater in Chicago to see Over the Rhine on their Christmas tour. (More sincere apologies to Radiohead.) This genre carries over into the Christmas music I choose. My kids groan in the car when I play what they call “Sad Old Man Rock” music. But apologies to Pentatonix, each year I grit my teeth through the “Christmas Hits.” Actually, no apologies. I do love Christmas hymns– singing them at church or attending the beautiful annual concert here at Wheaton College. The constant playlist coming from our living room speakers is called “Christmas Hits.” Me, less excited. Each year my family gets excited when it’s time for Christmas music.