I remember that I used to get bored with Christmas right around the week before. I was tired of listening to the Christmas music on the radio and doing all the shopping and wrapping. This year I am truly enjoying the season. I think that part of the reason that my interest is still piqued is that the music means something to me now. I accepted Christ 7 1/2 years ago on Easter. For a while I was devouring everything related to Christ that I could. I looked at God like a young child. I asked thousands of questions. I enthusiastically brought my friends to church. I was excited!

All of that seeking and learning has brought me to a new place. I feel like my faith is strong. My relationship with Christ has grown. Before I accepted Christ those Christmas songs I used to hear over and over were pretty and eventually annoying during December. Now those beautiful songs make sense to me. They remind me of the gift my God gave to all of us and what a sacrifice it was for Jesus to become a man. Those songs stir something in me and the lyrics sing the feelings that are deep in my heart. I now appreciate Advent.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. It has a somber tone that reminds me of the gravity of my sin that Jesus took the punishment for, and the lyrics remind me to rejoice that Jesus became the sin offering for us all so we won’t die.

I found this great version of this song. I think you might also appreciate it.

Rejoice!