To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.
Video
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7peBcpjd2M
Story Behind the Song
This song was released on Amy Grants second holiday album entitled Home for Christmas which was released in 1992. It was co-written by Amy Grant, Chris Eaton and Robert Marshall.
Commentary & Analysis
This song begins with some of the modern traditions of Christmas including fires and evergreens and anxious kids and older adults recounting Christmases of their youth. It has toys and caroling and many of the things that we all do to create our own Christmas memories. At its heart though, this song calls us to remember what it’s really all about.
IT’S ABOUT EMMANUEL!!!
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to first let her know that she would give birth to the Son of God, the Bible tells us that:
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:22-23 ESV)
Long before Jesus was ever born to woman, God had a plan and he had revealed it to Isaiah. He would send His Son known as Emmanuel which means “God with us.” God would come and dwell amongst His creation so that He could save it.
The next verse in the song is equally important:
And still he calls through the night
Beyond the days of old
A voice of peace to the weary ones
Who struggle with the human soul
Jesus did not come and die. We do not celebrate a savior who lived 2,000 years ago. At Christmas, we celebrate a Savior who is still alive. We celebrate a Savior who reigns in heaven and reigns in people’s hearts. We celebrate a Savior who transforms lives and makes righteous men out of wretched sinners. We celebrate a Savior who “still calls through the night.” Jesus is alive!
Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion
- What does it mean to you that God came and dwelt amongst His people?
- If you could talk face-to-face with Jesus today what questions would you ask Him? Why?
- Do you pray about those things? Spend some time in prayer today talking to God.
- Jesus is alive and active today. As a family, share about a recent time where you felt God at work in your life.
- Share with your kids “tales of how it used to be.” What was Christmas like for you as a child? What tales did your parents and grandparents tell you about Christmas?
Lyrics
We dim the light
We stoke the fire
We breathe the ever-green
Young ones wait
While the old ones make up
Tales of how it used to be
China dolls, candy corn
Painted wooden toys
Treasures found to the wondrous sound
Of caroling the Savior
Born to us on Christmas morn
[Chorus:]
Emmanuel, God with us
Emmanuel
Emmanuel, God with us
The son of Israel
And still he calls through the night
Beyond the days of old
A voice of peace to the weary ones
Who struggle with the human soul
All of us travelers
Through a given time
Who can know what tomorrow holds
But over the horizon
Surely you and I will find
[Chorus]
And the years they come
And the years they go
Through we may forget somehow
That the child once born in Bethlehem
Is still among us now
[Chorus]