New, really moving Christmas songs are rare, probably because the subject matter has been mined to death. So, I love it when someone comes up with a new way to look at the story. One such song is “Labor of Love,” which is on Randy Travis’ 2007 Christmas cd. “It was not a silent night; there was blood on the ground…” The verse about Mary talks about her being frightened & alone - “Little Mary, full of grace, with tears upon her face, had no mother’s hand to hold.” But it’s Joseph’s verse that gets to me - “No midwives to be found on the streets of David’s town in the middle of the night. So, he held her and he prayed, shafts of moonlight on his face. But the baby in her womb, He was the Maker of the moon, & the author of the faith that can make mountains move.” Just beautiful.

May we all remember that Christmas is not just a story about angels & shepherds & a star & a sweet little baby lying in a manger - it’s also about struggle, sacrifice, uncertainty & a love that demands the best from each of us.

Blessed Christmas!