My husband Steve and I really love the Christmas hit – thank God it’s Christmas – by Queen. The song is by Queen but it is actually about the King of Kings. I very rarely hear it played on the radio or on the music channels on tv.
Is this because the word God is mentioned in the song I wonder- and many in the world do not want to consider the true meaning behind the celebration of Christmas?
Two lines of the song, that through the years have really resonated with Steve and me are ”my love it’s been a long hard year”- for many years Steve and I worked full time at a boarding school. I was in the laundry and Steve in the catering department. Our annual leave allowance was 28 days which included bank holidays. The Michaelmas term was the longest four months and very busy with extra chores for both the departments due to all the Christmas parties that were held in the school. By the time we got to mid-December we were feeling pretty jaded and counting the days off to Christmas Eve when we would break up.
The good thing though was that both departments closed for the Christmas holidays so it was a break that we could really enjoy with our friends and families. We had many get togethers and parties.
The other line that spoke to us is ”my love we’ve lived in troubled times.” Well every year that comes along has its fair share of challenges and troubles on a personal level, a national level plus also on a worldwide level and as we sang that line we would often reflect on the truth of the statement.
This year has for the majority of us been one of the most challenging we have ever experienced but for Steve and I, our testimony is with God’s help we have managed to endure and keep our spirits up. In both lock downs I asked God to help me get through it and He did. Philippians 4 v 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Until the day arrives that we get our vaccinations I will stand on his promise for the strength to keep going.
Also God promises that He works for the good in all things – Romans 8 v 28 and that He has good plans for us, plans to prosper us and give us a good future; Jeremiah 29:11 gave me hope that all would be well and the ability to focus on the good around me rather than the bad.
I also found the promise of God’s protection in Psalm 91 v 5 – 6 reassuring- you will not fear the terror of the night, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Somehow thank God it’s Christmas used to really express how we felt, it had been a long hard year of working and we had experienced challenges but now thank God it was Christmas. Yay time to chill and time to enjoy home. Definitely the song to sing on Christmas eve at the start of the holiday.
So let’s spend a moment to ask ourselves- why should we thank God it’s Christmas?
I am grateful that God creator of the universe chose to leave the beauty, peace and tranquillity of heaven to come down to earth to live amongst us in a frail human body. He suffered all the trails and joys that we face.
He was born to a mother, He was acquainted with physical pain, He enjoyed a good party, He was rejected by friends, unfairly accused, He loved stories, He reluctantly paid taxes, He sang, He was turned off by greedy religion, He felt sorry for the lonely, He was unappreciated by His siblings, He wept at the death of a friend, He stood up for the underdog, He was kept awake at night by concerns, He dozed off in the midst of trips, He was accused of being too rowdy, and He was afraid of death.
And although He was without sin, He became sin and died on the cross for me so I may be forgiven by our Father God and be adopted into His family.
What good news- God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life – John 3 v 16.
Thank you God that you came on that first Christmas time. That you dedicated your life to showing us the glory of Your father, healing the sick and bringing news of hope for the future so thank you God it’s Christmas time. Amen.
Here are the lyrics of thank God it’s Christmas
Oh my love, we’ve had our share of tears,
Oh my love we’ve had our hopes and fears,
Oh my friends it’s been a long hard year
But now it’s Christmas, yes it’s Christmas, thank God it’s Christmas
Oh my love, we’ve lived in troubled days,
Oh my friend we have the strangest ways,
All my friends, on this one day of days,
Thank God it’s Christmas,
Let it be Christmas every day.
One last thought many people who are dreading Christmas and feel they have nothing to thank God for – those whom have lost loved ones, those who will spend Christmas alone, those who are anxious about losing their jobs or homes.
Please lift them up in prayer that they will feel the comfort and strength of God at this time.
God bless you all – merry Christmas.