On to Bethlehem

As I have stated often, there are a lot of options at Advent/Christmas musically. I have at times been spoken to through a wide variety of songs. This year the song that is really speaking to me is On to Bethlehem. It was recorded in about 1999 by Bill Mallonee and the Vigilantes of Love. The mellow sound and the introspective lyrics are how I am experiencing this season. If you let it, I believe God can speak to you and provide comfort as well.

"So tell me, what is your little secret? What's on your blister soul? What is that one little secret? The one that has taken its toll?" "God wrapped himself in human skin, for those who want to touch."

Below I have pasted the lyrics and and a link to the version I am listening to recorded by the worship band at the church where I served 14 years ago. This was done during our New Noel Christmas production.

If you go HERE you can listen to the version I am referencing along with a list of the musicians involved.

On To Bethlehem

       Bill Malonee and VOL

So I'm at this wheel
It's 3 a.m.
Waiting for the caffeine to come around
Life rears its ugly head again
They say, "Your radio's cool, and retail's way down"
And I'd like to say I'm faithful to the task at hand
Speaking Gospel to a handful and others with their list of demands

It's cold this year, and I'm late on my dues
It's cold in here
Ah, but that's nothing new
My heart's electric with Your love again
So it's on to Bethlehem

You might surmise that I ran there, but I really only crept
Lead me to the place where love runs wild and then it dogs your every step
You know how fickle my heart is and prone to wander, my Lord
Yeah, we talk, but it's at arm's length
Always got one eye on the door

God wraps Himself up in human skin for those who want to touch
And God let them drive the nails in for those of us who know way too much
And You come bearing all our burdens and take Your lovers for a ride
We stayed holed up in our cages fashioned by our own design

So tell me, what is your secret?
What's on your blister soul?
What is that one little secret?
You know, the one that has taken its toll
'Cos Daddy's banging on your gate again
Yeah, He won't leave you alone
Got a whole lot of dry, warm rooms in the finest of homes

Meeting Me - An Advent Poem #3

Meeting Me

Holy Child, why is it that you would

leave heaven’s glory

to lie

in a feeding trough?

Why would you

surrender unlimited power

to become

the most helpless of beings?

What was your goal?

Why did you come?

Why are you here?

You will not remain this way.

You will grow

first into a boy, and finally into a man.

You will die

upon a cross for my sin . . . you will die.

You will rise

From a death that should have been mine.

Why would you choose to meet me here?

Is it because of my need?

Is it because of your love?

Is it because . . .

Holy Child. You will not remain this way.

But

This is the path that leads to your goal

and humanity’s gain.

That is why you came.

That is why we bow.

That is why we worship You.

That is why we call you Savior.

That is why.

How Abounding - An Advent Poem #2

How Abounding

How deep is the sin

            that runs into my very being?

            It stares back when I look at my reflection.

            It is a part of my nature.

            I am left with no hope of escaping it clutches

                        unless God delivers me.

Is that what this is about?

How amazing is the grace of God

            that extends beyond the grasp of my sin?

It sees I am

 unworthy of this honor.

I am totally unable to undertake this task alone.

This grace makes me

worthy . . .

and available. . .  for God’s purposes.

Perhaps THAT is what this is all about?

How abounding is the voice of God

that calls me

to something other than myself?

This is something I could never have imagined

No human can fully understand this

            or believe it

. . . without His assistance?

Maybe that is just the point

            it is his aid of which I am in need.

It is that same aid of which we all are in need.

            And soon I may hold that very aid in my arms.

How abounding. How abounding indeed.