Jo Acharya | December 23, 2021

So this is Christmas.
‘Tis the season to be jolly!
To be of good cheer!
But I’ve seen through the sparkle
and it’s harder this year
to face unafraid the plans that I’ve made;
to hope that next year
all our troubles will be miles away.
These festive songs ring hollow
when all I want for Christmas is to be with you –
like in the olden days, happy golden days
of Before.

But the carols – Oh! The carols –
remind me that a silent night
can be a holy night.
And in these dark streets shineth an everlasting light.
Because 2000 years ago,
in the little town of Bethlehem,
Love
came down to earth from heaven.
Broke in! Was born
as a babe, the son of Mary.

And they sang –
choirs of angels!
With a thrill of hope
the weary world awoke
and gladly received tidings of comfort and joy.
Comfort
and joy.

Do you know that this baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Son of God, love’s pure light;
God as man with man to dwell –
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel has come to us
sorrowing.
sighing.
bleeding.
dying.
And risen with healing in his wings.

So today,
though mighty dread has once again
seized my troubled mind,
be near me, Lord Jesus. I ask you to stay
through the hopes and fears of all my years,
through every bleak midwinter,
’til my eyes at last shall see you
face
to face.

Come now, let us adore him:
Christ, our Lord.

Arranged by Jo Acharya 2021, using lyrics from 20 Christmas songs and carols