This is one of my favorite Christmas songs about Christ.
Not just for the beautifully haunting melody.
The poetic imagery of the lyrics is powerful.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Close the path to misery.
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
How beautiful to consider.
In life so often we are stuck in the gloomy clouds of night, the dark shadows that try to swallow us up.
But through Jesus Christ we are given victory over all that saddens...all that threatens to destroy our happiness and joy.
He can save us...not just from the Hell they teach you about in Sunday School. But from the personal hells that we all experience at one time or another in life.
Mariah Carey's version is cool and fun and peppy.
But...there is something about Michael Buble's version.
He kinda slows it down and brings out the romance of it.
We all love Christmas for the reindeer and the trees and the stockings.
We love Christmas for how it reminds us of the birth of Jesus Christ and the true meaning of the season.
But it also is wonderful for how it lets us be close to the ones we love.
Family, friends, that special someone.
Its a time when the best gift is time, memories and perfect moments.
I'm an adult. My age says so. But I hope I never become a grown up.
Grown ups forget the magic.
They forget the echoing silence of a nighttime snowfall.
Or the wonder of the sea of lights twinkling throughout the neighborhood.
Grown ups don't fall asleep next to the Christmas tree.
They don't make lists for Santa or leave cookies and carrots.
You won't catch a grown up dancing to Christmas music
And they certainly won't close their eyes and make a wish that the hat they put on their snowman will bring it to life.
As we grow up and get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life...bills, work, insurance claims, 401Ks....we forget the magic and hope that comes with Christmas time.
Rudolph and Santa and Frosty are replaced with Bosses, Presidents, and the all powerful and mystical THEY.
But Christmas is more than just a day.
Its a season. A season for gratitude and a season for love.
A season to be with those you hold most dear and to make cherished memories.
Its a time to remember that the world isn't all bad.
The news may be full of wars and rumors of wars.
Famines and pestilence. Earthquakes and disease.
Poverty and hunger and violence.
But also somewhere there is a child....making a wish on a Christmas star.
Today was a bit of a roller coaster!
I won't get into too many details...other than that I suddenly sat in shocked dismay feeling as though I had lost an ally and a protector.
It luckily was a misunderstanding and I ended the night with two allies and two protectors.
But there for a while I felt very low. And as I drove home, this song came on.
"To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's power and might"
Satan was trying to bring me down. But my Savior came in to free me from his power and might.
This time of year its easy to think a lot about Christ and what He has done for us...in a general wide expanse sense.
BUT
I know I don't usually think about the little things. The tiny moments when He frees us from Satan's power and might.
The moments when He truly gives us comfort and joy....not just tidings of it.
So a million years ago (ok it was only like 3...it just feels like a million) I ended a 365 day lyric blog. A song a day. All year.
It was exhausting honestly haha. But after I finished, I missed it. And ever since a small part of me has always longed for the days when I had guidance and direction on what to write about!
And now here we are at Christmas time. And Christmas music is a constant sound at my house and in my car.
Christmas songs are so special...and I have many favorites.
Maybe thinking about Christmas songs will finally help me get over my blog writers blog hump!!!
My career/education could take a turn...if I want it to.
My social life could shift....if I let it.
My living situation could alter...if that's what I choose.
But here is the thing. It could change....if I decide that's what I will do.
It doesn't HAVE to change.
Anyone who knows me knows the pro/con lists and flow sheets of if this...then that are ABUNDANT in my life right now.
Its been a frustrating time, not knowing which direction I should take.
I spend lots of time in my car and it is often the perfect place for out-loud and...well lets call them... honest conversations with my Heavenly Father.
They aren't the tradition bow your head, close your eyes and kneel down prayers.
They are more the "look...here's what's going on" prayers.
Recently I was having one of these prayers. And in exasperation I said "I don't know what to do! Tell me what to do and I'll do it!"
Suddenly....This song came on the radio......
Now I'm not saying God made this song come on the radio.......
But I know He helped me hear it in that moment.
The answer to my question was to be brave.
Who knows what on earth that means, but its meant I've been looking for bravery.
I saw it in a dear friend who openly admitted to having a problem and asked for help.
I saw it in a severely depressed young women who reached out to a person who might reject her.
I saw it in a young girl who was sick but went through a medical treatment with her head up and her eyes bright.
Bravery means doing something that scares us. It means not letting our fears paralyze us.
It means going outside of our comfort zone.
Its hard to be brave. And we can't always be perfect at it. But lets celebrate the moments we are!
Something my church had begun to do recently is put out "Mormon Messages".
Little videos of inspiration, hope and love.
This one is very special to me.
You might want to grab a tissue (I needed one!)
Please watch......
Now if you wouldn't mind I'd love to talk about it a little.
This topic is close to my heart.
We all have people in our lives who we love, who are struggling with feelings of depression.
Feelings that can, when a perfect storm hits, can develop into thoughts of suicide.
Few of us however are trained in psychology or psychiatry.
I have personally felt like I didn't know what to say and what to do.
I have had friends who have said they didn't know what to say or what to do.
You don't have to know. Of course you want to fix it. Of course you want to say the perfect thing. Find the silver bullet that will save the person you love, even when they don't want to be saved.
But it doesn't have to come from what you say.
It comes from your presence. From being there. From standing by.
When you feel that low its hard to see anyone who cares or anyone who will not be better off without you around.
So prove them wrong. Gently help them see your love.
(I say gently, as forcing yourself on someone doesn't usually end well)
Help them know you are there, by being there.
Presence. Its cheesy and cliche. But its the best present you can give.
You may not know someone right now who is struggling with deep and intense thoughts of suicide.
But you know someone who is discouraged. You know someone who is broken hearted and in need of your love. And you never know what personal and internal battle they might be facing.
Look out for them. Love them.
I have watched people turn to the most unlikely of "saviors" in their darkest moments because they knew there would be nothing but love.
Be the person people can turn to. Be the look out. Give the gift of presence and love.
