The 8th Song of Christmas

Christmas is a joyous occasion, filled with brightly adorned packages, twinkling lights, festive decorations, carefully selected ornaments, family get-togethers and lots and lots of food. We cherish the Christmas cards, the annual “what’s been going on with our family” letters, and holiday emails. Often we get frustrated at the hustle and bustle of shopping for just the right gift while fighting the crowds and the endless search for parking spaces. Sometimes we lose sight of why we shop for our loved ones – it is no longer about bringing “joy to the world”, but about finding the long lost item that is sold out in every store before some other desperate parent or spouse beats us to it.

Then something happens that lifts the fog and tugs on our heartstrings and reminds us of why we give in the first place. This Christmas, I pray that you catch a glimpse of heaven’s love and are constantly aware of what Christmas is truly all about.

My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God's children, and we know him. God is love, and anyone who doesn't love others has never known him. God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other.

We love because God loved us first. 1 John 4:7-11, 19 (CEV)

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The Christmas Shoes

by Newsong

It was almost Christmas time,
There I stood in another line
Tryin' to buy that last gift or two,
Not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me
Was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing 'round like little boys do
And in his hands he held a pair of shoes

His clothes were worn and old,
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Mama meets Jesus tonight

He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here"
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me
He said Mama made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without
Tell me Sir, what am I going to do,
Somehow I've got to buy these Christmas shoes

So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out
I'll never forget the look on his face when he said
Mama's gonna look so great

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me just what Christmas is all about

Repeat Chorus