Countless years ago, I was listening to a tape by motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, and one of the things he said that really hit home was that the average person goes to his grave with his music still inside his head. I realize he meant that in the broadest of terms – as in, all of our creative gifts, not just music – but I took it rather literally because most of my writing at that time was in the form of song lyrics. I didn’t know how to write music or play an instrument (and I wasn’t about to sing them to someone who did), so I knew those songs would eventually be buried with me. It was a rather sad acknowledgment, but one I came to accept…until now.
When I created this blog a couple of years back, I let my guard down and began sharing my writing with anyone willing to read it. Those posts have always been in the form of essays or short stories. This month – with Christmas hanging in the air – I decided to let my guard down even more and share one of my songs.
I penned the following back in the ‘90s, and it continues to creep into my head every Christmas season. I’m only posting the lyrics because no one deserves to be put through the torment of hearing me sing. It may read like a badly formatted poem, but hopefully, its spirit still comes through.
Jesus is Born
Joseph and Mary rode into the town
To find no room at the inn
Calmly, patiently they bedded down
Among the cattle, and then
As the bright star glowed
Overhead it showed
Where the babe lay safe on the hay
Praise Him!
Praise Him!
Angels proclaimed
Jesus is born today
Shepherds who watched o’er their flocks in the fields
Saw the heavenly light
Hearing the news of the birth of their King
They took off in the night
And they found the baby
In swaddled clothing
Asleep and warm where he lay
Praise Him!
Praise Him!
Angels proclaimed
Jesus is born today
Bearing their gifts for the new baby King
Wise men came from afar
Frankincense, gold, and myrrh did they bring
As they followed the star
And they found the child
In a rugged stable
And knelt before Him to pray
Praise Him!
Praise Him!
Angels proclaimed
Jesus is born today
So, there you have it…my one and only attempt at a Christmas carol.
If tuneless lyrics aren’t your thing, perhaps you’d prefer a story instead. And not just any story, but a Christmas story. Well, it so happens, I can give you that. It’s a rerun from last year, so you may have already read it. If that’s the case, feel free to log off and find something a bit less stale and a lot more entertaining. I promise I won’t be offended.
But if you haven’t read the above-mentioned story and think you might like to check it out, simply click the button below. Christmas with Frank is one of those sappy, feel-good tales that just might revive your belief in love and hope. Even if it doesn’t, it still provides something wonderful because one of the characters is a sweet little dog.
And let’s be honest here…who doesn’t love a sweet little dog?
Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas
and a Fabulous 2024!
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