The Musical Message Of Christmas Poem by Loyd C Taylor Sr

When you ask the meaning of Christmas
And the purpose for Christmas day,
You find a variety of ideas
In the words people have to say.

For some, Christmas Day's about Santa;
Stockings hung; family visitation.
Many think it's about time off from work,
Or just some religious celebration.

If we were to go through a list of songs
Heard this time of year,
What type of message would they give?
What would the listener hear?

Of 'Jingle Bells' on Santa's sleigh,
With Rudolph's nose so bright?
Or 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'
While dreaming of a Christmas white?

You may have a 'Blue, Blue Christmas'
When Santa checks his gift list twice;
Or a 'Holly Jolly Christmas'
If he sees that you've been nice.

Songs today speak of 'Decking the Halls'
And 'Walking in a Winter Wonderland';
Of 'Rocking 'Round the Christmas Tree'
Singing, 'Let it Snow' all over the land.

The messages clearly miss the point,
For they're mostly of festivity.
Jesus surely must be sad, for lost
Is the true meaning of the Nativity.

Then we turn to the songs of old
To read what they had to say
About this special time of year
And about the Christmas day.

Let me share the words there written
From the carols we love to sing,
And see if you hear the difference
In the message those old songs bring.

'The first Noel the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields where they lay:
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.'
  
'It came upon a midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
'Peace on the earth, good-will to men,
From Heav'n's all gracious King':
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.'

'Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.'

'Thou didst leave Thy throne and kingly crown
When Thou camest to earth for me,
But in Bethlehem's home there found no room
For Thy holy Nativity.'

'What child is this who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch their keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
This, this is Christ the King,
The babe, the Son of Mary.'

'Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before Him bow,
And He is in the manger now,
Christ is born today! Christ is born today! '

'Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing! '

'Hark! The herald angels sing,
'Glory to the new born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled! ''

'Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon virgin mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.'

'O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.'

Comparing the songs of today
With the ones from so long ago,
We hear a different message than
The one God wants us to know.

It's fine to gather with family and friends,
To share gifts and celebration,
But remember the reason for Christmas
And the cause for the jubilation.

Christmas is about Christ, God's Son
And the message he came to give,
It tells the good news of salvation
So sinners can eternally live.

So, Merry Christmas to one and all!
May you enjoy this special day!
But remember the musical message -
The true meaning of Christmas day.