The FULL Reason for the Season

You hear everywhere that “Jesus is the reason for the season”. While that is true, I think it is important to remember the BABY Jesus is not the end of the story. We are talking about the Most High God, come to earth, to bear our flesh and walk our roads. Then He dies and carries our sin and shame…rises from the grave…conquers evil, death, and oppression…offers new life to any who will receive it. People who feel far from God—far from themselves, far from others—are brought near by the God who refuses to remain at a distance. We have a God who is not content to be “watching us from a distance” (I REALLY dislike that song--but that will be the subject of another blog). This God has entered into our situation—but more than that—He offers a way out…a better way…true, real LIFE. I love that phrase from the Bible which says, “The people who walked in the darkness have seen a great light”. That GREAT LIGHT is Jesus Himself…who sends the darkness running in fear.

With those thoughts in mind, I want to share two songs with you, my blog friends. These are a little more serious than the video with the camels in sneakers! I just came across these songs, never having heard them before. The first one is called “It's About the Cross" by the band Go Fish (www.gofishguys.com). I can’t find the lyrics anywhere…but listen to it; it’s good stuff.

The second song is called “While You Were Sleeping” by Casting Crowns (lyrics below). I found it pretty convicting. I pray for all of us that we won’t be sleeping as God moves in our midst.

"While You Were Sleeping"
By Casting Crowns

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had came
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping