To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.
Video
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klUumz5xRPo
Story Behind the Song
This song, originally recorded by Rebecca St. James, was written for and included in the Veggietales movie An Easter Carol in 2004. The song tells the story of the birth, life, death burial and resurrection of Christ.
Commentary & Analysis
I have been a fan of Veggietales for a long time. It may seem like a stretch to include a song from their Easter special in this Christmas Carol Advent, but I think the first line really sums up what all Christians need to remember about Christmas:
“There’s a story that started on Christmas…”
Christmas is not the end of the story. It is a bit of a misnomer to call it the beginning of the story too because the story really starts before Genesis 1:1, but it is the start of Jesus’ earthly ministry. It is the beginning of the human part of God’s ultimate plan of redemption.
Many churches speak of “C&E Christians.” Those are people who claim to go to church but really only show up on Christmas and Easter. In fact, we should all be C&E Christians at Christmastime. Neither would have happened without the other. If God has not condescended himself and given up His thrown to come and live amongst his people as a baby, then He never would have grown up to die on a cross and be resurrected for my sins. If He had never died and risen, Christmas would have been merely an experiment in being human. The whole plan falls apart if not for Christmas and Easter, and we should take time this holiday season to remember both. This song will help you to do just that.
Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion
- Why do you believe Christmas has become such a highly celebrated time in our culture while Easter has not?
- How do you and your family recognize Easter in your Christmastime celebrations and traditions?
- Part of this songs says, “He laughed and he cried.” There are some people who believe that Jesus never cried as a baby (and certain Christmas songs which profess the same). The Bible is clear that Jesus wept later in life. Do you believe he cried as a child? If so, why would that be important?
- The Bible tells us very little about Jesus between the time He was a baby and the beginning of His ministry. What do you think Jesus’ early years might have been like?
- What can you do differently this year to incorporate the cross into your family’s Christmas celebration?
Lyrics
There’s a story that started on Christmas
When a baby was born in the night
And those who came far, who followed the star
Were seeing a heavenly sight …
a heavenly sight.
Well the years hurried by, and the boy, now a man
Could make the blind see with a touch of his hand
He was born to be King — he was Rabbi and Priest
But the best that he had, he gave to the least …
He gave to the least.
He was born and he died, almost 2,000 years ago
He laughed and he cried, he felt all the fears we know
But what does it matter? A story so strange …
Even if it is true, what does it change?
What does it change?
Well he spoke like a prophet — like no one they’d heard
This simple young carpenter — crowds hung on every word
He hated injustice — He taught what is right
He said “I’m the way, and the truth, and the light.”
His friends soon believed that truly he was the one.
The Savior, Messiah, God’s one and only son.
But others, they doubted, they did not agree
So they took him, they tried him,
He died on a tree …
He died on a tree.
God has made a way
for all who mourn and grieve
Death will never be the end
if you just believe.
There is nothing left to fear
nothing Heaven knows
For he died for us to give us life
and to give us hope He rose
He died for us to give us life
And to give us hope He rose.