The Heart of Christmas

Two things today about Christmas and the Christmas Spirit.

First, I love the Amy Grant Home for Christmas CD. It's one of my favorites. Two songs on this album speak to me.

One of them is "The Night Before Christmas" originally written and performed by Carly Simon;

Lyrics:

Children carry through the streets  A brightly painted star
Angels gather 'round the hearth  Strumming on guitars
And men of great renown and faith  Say prayers on boulevards
It's the night before Christmas

But you don't have to be an angel  To sing harmony
You don't have to be a child  To love the mystery
And you don't have to be a wise man On bended knee
The heart of this Christmas is in you and me

The night before Christmas, The night before Christmas

If your heart's been longing  You've been afraid to try
Sorrow's kept you company  And the dance has passed you by
I'll lift you up and blaze with you  Across the moonlit sky
On the night before Christmas

Cause you don't have to be an angel To sing harmony
You don't have to be a child To love the mystery
And you don't have to be a wise man On bended knee
The heart of this Christmas is in you and me,
The heart of this Christmas is in you and me

The night before Christmas, The night before Christmas

We are the Heart of Christmas. We are the Heart of Every Christmas. It's not about the presents or Santa or movies or even songs, it's about feeling something. It's about sharing that feeling.

In my pursuit of 40 Christmas movies I came across this movie; The Heart of Christmas. Based on a true story, this movie tells the tale of a child with cancer. The story is told by the child's mother and how it affects those that read it (her blog) and those that know them. This is a beautiful story that is less about Christmas and more about human spirit and giving nature of compassion. More than that, it's about cherishing the moments. 
One of the quotes in the movie is from Psalm 90:12 (KJB) "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." or the NIV version: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

We do not know when someone might be snatched away from us. I have experienced both the shocking and terrifying "accidental" death. The death of a young person (I'm talking under 30, and specifically under 10) is devastating. There is no question about that. The death of 20 children under the age of 8 is annihilation. 

My heart has been annihilated. 

I have also experienced the prolonged death of a loved one by illness. Neither is better or worse than the other. They are both devastating. 

Death of a loved one, and I believe the death of a child (which I have not experienced), is the Ultimate Challenge. Survival is all about the Earth revolving and not being able to do a damn thing about it. It's about a "New Normal." There is no "Back to Normal," in death. No such thing. Time lessens the pain but it is never eliminated until that love runs out. I have, so far in my life, not run out of love for someone, anyone, I have lost.
Period.

And finally, another song from the same CD is "My Grown Up Christmas List" which was originally written by David Foster and performed by Natalie Cole. Apparently Amy Grant added a verse when she added the song to her album. It has since been redone by Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Barbra Streisand, Michael Buble', among others.

Lyrics:

Do you remember me? I sat upon your knee 

I wrote to you With childhood fantasies

Well, I'm all grown-up now And still need help somehow 

I'm not a child But my heart still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish, My grown-up Christmas list

Not for myself, But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart 

That wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list

As children we believed The grandest sight to see

Was something lovely Wrapped beneath our tree

Well heaven surely knows That packages and bows

Can never heal A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?

Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end, oh

This is my grown-up Christmas list
This is my grown-up Christmas list

This song has been at the forefront of my mind this holiday season more than most, I suppose, because of unrest in the Middle East, divorce, deaths, illnesses and cancer in loved ones,  the shootings in Aurora, Colorado and of course, Connecticut. As 2012 ends all I can feel is good riddance and hope for a brighter tomorrow. 

More than ever I feel we need healing of our hearts. 

We need no more lives torn apart, no more wars, and no loneliness or depression, but that will never happen. It's not really even part of God's plan. We are supposed to be challenged. We are supposed to have Faith and Strength in order to Grow. We don't always have to understand it, even though we think we do. We need to look for the good around us. Look for the helpers. Look for things to be grateful for every day. 

It isn't easy. Believe me, I know. I know despair. I know loss. I know heartbreak. I know it. I've lived it. 

I've also known joy. I know happy. I know contentment. 

I know anger. I know frustration. I know fear.

And above and beyond it all, I know love. I know the love of a parent. I know the love of a child. I know the love of God. For that knowledge I am truly the most grateful.