Christmas Carols

My father has carried on a Christmas tradition within our family for the past 20+ years of writing a Christmas poem which he reads on Christmas Day along with the Christmas narrative from Matthew and Luke. A few years back I began a similar tradition for myself, except that my poems have music to them! It started for me because I wanted to write a modern Christmas carol, and I've just kept going since. Each year I've taken a different character from the Christmas narrative and written a song from his/her perspective. The Shepherd's Carol was this year's:


Mary's Carol

How could I conceive this child that grows within my womb
How could I pretend that I am worthy of this honor
A gift so precious, and so pure, and one I don't deserve
How could I be anything but thankful
I cannot fathom the love You've shown to me
A love so tender, to this mother, from my baby's Father

How could I conceive this thought that haunts me night and day
That life is so much more than I can dream or imagine
It must consist of more than me, or else it can't be true
For You cannot be grasped nor be disproven
I cannot fathom the love You're shown to me
It seems so idiotic to reach down to this bumbling idiot

How could I conceive this love, the kind that grows on trees
The kind that can't be thwarted or demanding
It can't be manufactured, not by human will or heart
This kind of love can only come from You
I cannot fathom the love You've shown to me
Redeeming love, a perfect love, a Savior's love


Joseph's Carol

Mary's crazy in love with me
And I know that I am falling for her, too
But what You say terrifies in every way
What is this You're asking me to do?
A pregnant woman, a bastard son, to take them as my own?
That's what everyone will say, it might as well be true...
I'm afraid, and ashamed, and amazed.

Daddy to Jesus - isn't that Your job?
A prince at least is raised by a king
A simple carpenter just doesn't have the tools
To do what You're asking me to do
The Messiah, Anointed One, to teach to be a man?
When I still haven't figured that one out myself...
I'm afraid, and ashamed, and amazed.

Angels, wise men, shepherds and the like
Come to see this Baby who's been born
But up above me His light keeps shining on
He's doing what You're asking Him to do
Jesus Christ, this child of wood, from the manger to the cross
That's the last thing I expected, that He would look like me...
I'm afraid, and ashamed, and amazed.


The Shepherd's Carol

I sit me down to rest my feet
A time of silent reverie
A glimpse of what I've never seen
In all my years of watching sheep
A multitude of heavenly hosts sing "Alleluia!"
What is this I see? These messengers of peace
Up in the sky, shining so bright, I realize that they're right
Finally our King! The One who sets us free!
Born in a stall, yet we will call Him Lord of all
Wrapped in bands, clap your hands all you lands...
Messiah comes.

I get me down to Bethlehem
Leaving all my little lambs
But what the angel said to me
The pinnacle of history
Abraham and Moses both foretold this day would come
Who is this I see? This baby Nazarene
There in the straw, I stand in awe, fulfilling all of the Law
Finally our King! The One who sets us free!
Born in a stall, yet we will call Him Lord of all
Wrapped in bands, clap your hands all you lands...
Messiah comes.

Have you heard? The Word is true
Yahweh's precious gift to you
O Israel, your time is come
The silence o'er, the Son has dawned
Come, see the Child, and stay awhile, and worship at His feet
Come and you will see the newborn Prince of Peace!
Put on your gown, throughout the town, lift up the sound and bow down
Finally our King! The One who sets us free!
Born in a stall, yet we will call Him Lord of all...

Wrapped in bands, clap your hands all you lands
Strike up the band, give a grand welcome hand...

Messiah comes.