Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright…
***
O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by…
***
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes…
***
Christmas carols bring a sense of calmness and stillness to this time of year. Amidst the hustle and bustle of shopping and preparing for Christmas celebrations, from running here and there trying to find sales, a Christmas carol lets us slow down, gain an inner sense of stillness. It makes us feel better, more Christmaslike, more peaceful. We adorn our churches and homes with crèches — the peaceful, holy looks on the faces of Mary and Joseph, baby Jesus with a halo around his head, the animals silently sitting by, and the magi reverently kneeling before the newborn messiah.
During the holiday season, much ink is spilled with the words, “peace,” “love,” and “joy.”
It is a nice feeling.
But Christmas carols lie.
***
I’m over at YALT today, come on over to read the rest…
Matthew van Maastricht 
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