Listen.....

Tonight, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree was lighted up in New York City and broadcasted around the world. I watched this spectacle for the first time tonight while I was at my friends house. We watched many different performances from Josh Groban, Jessica Simpson, to Susan Boyle. Some sang new Christmas songs, but most sang the glorious old songs you find in the hymnal. And my friend asked a question....
"How do these people not listen to the words they are singing?"

And she's right. In a world/culture that encourages religious tolerance, we still have "secular" celebrations filled with the unashamed message of the gospel and glorifying Christ in the public places. Traditional songs such as "O Holy Night", "Away in the Manger", "Silent Night", etc. aren't talking about presents, reindeer and Santa. They loudly proclaim that Christ is born as Savior to the world, a world filled with sin, yet so loved that God would send His son to die. If only people would begin to listen to the words they are singing.....

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;

These words have the power to change lives, but only if we listen.