Is Christmas really the most wonderful time of the year?
What Does The Song Say?
Edward Pola and George Wyle, do you know them? You probably know the song they wrote, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
In 1963, Andy Williams recorded the song for a Christmas album he cleverly entitled, “The Andy Williams Christmas Album.”
Some Of The Lyrics:
“With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you be of good cheer.
It’s the hap-happiest season of all, with those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when friends come to call.”
“There’ll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
It’s My Most Wistful Carol
It describes the Christmas I’ve always wanted but never had. The song tells of people in parties, of good friends dropping by, and everyone having a wonderful time. Then there’s marshmallow toasting and caroling in the snow.
Truthfully, Christmas isn’t like that for me. It’s rushed, harried, and often stressful. Friends aren’t “dropping by.” Kids aren’t jingle belling. I’ve never toasted marshmallows at a party or caroled in the snow.
Am I A Scrooge?
Nope, I love Christmas and all the songs. It’s just that it can’t live up to the hype. The song suggests an experience beyond my reach.
For me, the beauty of Christmas is found in something else, in someone else.
The Messiah’s Birth
The birth of Christ moves me most. The Christmas I love is a combination of cultural traditions laced with the biblical account of the Messiah’s birth.
For most of the year, I’m all about his death and resurrection. But in the holiday season, I lift him up, high and exalted, for coming to our world and forever changing it.
The angel said, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord.”
To Close
It won’t be snowing in Houston, so I won’t be caroling in the snow.
But I will be thinking about the global purpose for his coming. The universe must have shivered in awe as God came near.
Let’s lift him up and glorify his name, for his name is Emmanuel; God came to save.
Rick Fyffe 