There is a powerful song that appears as one of the very last tracks on the anniversary edition of Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols." It is a track that's easy to overlook if you stop after the more familiar songs. I'm glad I took the time to listen because its message touched me deeply.
Perhaps one of the reasons it hit me with such power is that it addresses a failing I see in myself far too quickly it seems after the Christmas holiday ends - the tendency to forget the reason and the spirit of this blessed season.
It isn't a conscious choice to forget. I have every intention to remember the baby in the manger who became the resurrected Savior of us all. Yet life goes on and as it does it becomes so easy for the miracle of that marvelous event to be buried beneath the burdens of every day life, drowned out by the cacophony of the world around us.
There's a line in the song that captures this so perfectly:
"We'll have a hundred reasons why we have set aside
The memories of this season when His spirit touched our lives."
Yet even in the next line we are given a powerful reminder that even though we may forget Him for a moment that:
"... He who came to save us for all eternity
Has not forgotten those who need His mercy to be free.
And though that number's greater than the sands upon the sea
There is no time of year that He's forgotten you or me."
What a powerful reminder!
If you have time, I hope you'll take a moment to listen.
Perhaps we can all help each other remember the spirit of this season all year round.
Merry Christmas, my friends...wherever you are.
"Will We Forget?"
Michael McLean
The Forgotten Carols
A heart that's been closed may be opening tonight.
A soul that's been lost might believe it's been found.
But six months from now on a warm summer night,
Will we pause to remember this night in December
When we promised ourselves we'd keep this spirit all year round?
Will we forget the promise we resolutely made?
Will we forget to thank the Lord for all the gifts he gave?
We'll say it's human nature, but something seems amiss
When there is just one time of year reserved for nights like this.
And six months from now on a warm summer night,
Will any part of us remember this night in December
When we promised ourselves we'd keep this spirit all year round?
Will we forget the feelings, will we forget to sing?
Will we forget the Christ child came to give us everything?
We'll have a hundred reasons why we have set aside
These memories of this season when His spirit touched our lives.
But He who came to save us for all eternity
Has not forgotten those who need His mercy to be free.
And though that number's greater than the sands upon the sea
There is no time of year that He's forgotten you or me.
He has not forgotten us on any lonely night.
And He has not forgotten that our joy requires His light.
He has not forgotten those who are homeless as was He.
And He has not forgotten you; He's not forgotten me.
