In 1990, David Foster and Linda Thompson crafted their now-famous “grown-up Christmas list.”
And through the song they wrote, soloists and groups have pleaded with Santa for decades for a world with “no more lives torn apart” and where “wars would never start.” They wish that “everyone would have a friend” and “right would always win.”
“This is my grown-up Christmas list,” they intone at the end of the chorus.
But before the song ends, Foster and Thompson seemingly stop talking to Santa and perhaps invite listeners to believe in the power of the season … or someone … or something.
They never actually specify.
“Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth …”
They no doubt meant well, but their sentimentality and idealism only promises a hopeless hope, which depends on the power of good feelings or vibes or wishes to somehow unite mankind and unleash universal some inner goodness.
But God does not endorse a blind belief, and He doesn’t endorse an impotent hope that passively clings to the wispy fumes of sentiment.
God calls for a belief and hope based not on mankind’s goodness or raw idealism, but the reality of His Son.
As the Apostle John said in his gospel, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth … and of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”
Through Jesus, God promises true hope.
And through Jesus, God promises true power. Christians can redeem this world and rescue it from the curse and its wars, broken hearts and torn-apart lives. Because of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection and reign, believers can reach out, love and overcome each day.
Because of Jesus, “right” can always win.
To celebrate this truth and this belief, I adorn some familiar (and perhaps unfamiliar) secular seasonal songs with substance that goes beyond just sentiment. Merry Christmas.
The Chipmunk Song
Christ, the King of kings, is here
Wisemen bow, and angels cheer
God in straw-stained clothes and flesh
Resting at the virgin’s breast
Wondrous Counselor and Friend
David’s heir in Bethlehem
Though we cannot earn His grace
He came, He lives, He saves
The beginning, and the end
Image of the great I AM
Worship Him with love and faith
Our Christ, the King of grace
Up on the Housetop
Up by the stars an angel calls
With hope of good will to all
Seeking the shepherds who will tell
Lost souls to worship Emmanuel
Go, go, go
‘Til the world knows
Go, go, go
‘Til the world knows
Up now in Heaven Jesus reigns
And maybe soon He’ll come again
First, Adam sinned and cursed mankind
Yet all sin, and all must die
The second Adam gives new life
Through His merciful sacrifice
Go, go, go
‘Til the world knows
Go, go, go
‘Til the world knows
Up now in Heaven Jesus reigns
And maybe soon He’ll come again
Look at the empty tomb, God lives
And fills us with righteousness
Like Him we now can rise in grace
With power to do His will in faith
Go, go, go
‘Til the world knows
Go, go, go
‘Til the world knows
Up now in Heaven Jesus reigns
And maybe soon He’ll come again
Tennessee Christmas
Hello, Father, can You teach us how to shine Your light
To a world that fears, a world lost in sin’s cruel might
Christmas is callin’, but men are fallen
They hear the songs of lust and greed
But the Messiah can still inspire a
Joy worth celebrating
With wonder of a heavenly Christmas
Full of truth of Your Son’s glory
Where Your love rings out like carols
Through the gift of Your mercy
And the blood that once flowed will wash whiter than snow
When souls bow at Calvary
And a blessed heavenly Christmas
Is the only Christmas for me
Family and friends
Are truly wonderful to see
As we laugh and give
And make new memories ‘round a tree
But when we Honor our loving Father
With born-again priorities
We share the reason
For hope this season
and for eternity
The wonder of a heavenly Christmas
Full of truth of Your Son’s glory
Where Your love rings out like carols
Through the gift of Your mercy
And the blood that once flowed will wash whiter than snow
When souls bow at Calvary
And a blessed heavenly Christmas
Is the only Christmas for me
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