Before today, I was pretty much convinced that every great Christmas song had been written and recorded decades ago. The powerhouse singer/songwriter who is Lauren Daigle has changed my opinion.
My good friend Jode turned me on to Lauren Daigle about six years ago when I asked him for recommendations on some high quality Christian artists. If you’ve listened to much modern Christian music you know what I mean. While there are some amazing songs, there is a lot of kitsch. Before her career is done I’m pretty sure Lauren Daigle will be on the Mount Rushmore of Christian artists. Her voice is crazy powerful and beautiful, her songwriting is top shelf and her songs are so good they make it onto pop charts even as Christian music.
I’ve had her Christmas album “Behold” in my playlist for a couple of years, but somehow never got around to sitting down and listening to it all the way through. I still haven’t, because I got to her song “Light of the World” and stopped, got out my laptop, and started writing this essay while the song played on repeat. With just one listen it has shot all the way into the top ten of my all-time favorites. It’s gentle, it’s beautiful, it’s relevant, and it’s theologically profound.
The world waits for a miracle
The heart longs for a little bit of hope
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel
A child prays for peace on Earth
And she's calling out from a sea of hurt
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel
And can you hear the angels singing
Glory to the light of the world
Glory, the light of the world is here
The drought breaks with the tears of a mother
A baby's cry is the sound of love
Come down, come down, Emmanuel
He is the song for the suffering
He is Messiah, the Prince of Peace has come
He has come, Emmanuel
Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
For all who wait
For all who hunger
For all who've prayed
For all who wonder
Behold your King
Behold Messiah
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Glo-glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
Behold your King
Behold Messiah
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
The world waits for the miracle
The heart longs for a little bit of hope
Oh come, oh come Emmanuel
Andy Williams has been telling us for decades that this is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, but we all know, that isn’t true for everyone, and that isn’t always true for anyone. I can’t see Sturgil Simpson every recording a Christmas album, but he tells the truth when he sings, “Life ain’t fair and the world is mean.” Last year Honey and I attended an evening service called “Blue Christmas” and it focused on the fact that this time of year is typically filled with as much pain and grief as it is joy. The whole purpose of the service was to lean into the aspect of the Advent season that forces us to face the reality that, thought the Light of the world has come, there is still darkness and suffering in our world and in our lives. If this concept seems strange to you, consider the rising of the sun. As the sun begins to rise the darkness begins to flee, but it takes time for the noonday sun to cover the entire horizon, and even then there are places where shadows can fall. So while we sing “Glory to the Light of the world”, we also wait in hope for the Son to rise fully and cast out all darkness for good. “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.” (Revelation 21:23-24).
Our time in that service was greatly needed, though powerfully and painfully cathartic. We actually spent most of the service weeping. There are so many Scriptures and songs that force us to look darkness in the face and feel its cold chill, or see the hurt that seeps from those around us. While this is never pleasant, it is essential, a sort of purging of poison from our spirits that leaves us purify and healed. This time of year there is far more darkness than light literally, and sometimes it seems that way spiritually as well.
So yes, Lauren, “the world waits for a miracle, the heart longs for a little bit of hope, a child prays for peace on Earth (Palestinian children are literally doing this everyday) and she’s calling out from a sea of hurt. Oh come, oh come Emmanuel (God come be near, be with us). He is the song for the suffering. For all who wait, for all who hunger, for all who prayed, for all who wonder, behold your King, behold Messiah.”
Comments
Post a Comment