Love was all around

Posted December 24th, 2008

One of my favorite Christmas songs is by Dave Matthews. I cry pretty much every time I listen to it. In my humble opinion, it's pure poetry. It tells the story of the life of Christ in a way that speaks something unique and focuses on how He lived to love.

I love to imagine this unexpected fulfillment of love that first Christmas, breathing for the first time in the manger. His love filled the air like a scent, and moved through the people who came to touch Him. Love was all around.

This song also poetically tells the story of Christ's end on this earth. I had to listen a few times to grasp the reason for the words that were chosen. Not that I know exactly what Dave Matthews meant, we don't hang out much. But my take on the repetitive nature of "spilled the blood of our children all around," in referring to Christ's death on the cross, is an analogy of the endless generations that are free because He came. Free to love and be loved, and to meet the God who is that love.

I'm the first to admit that I'm often frustrated, angry, and tired. I'm so thankful that Jesus came to bring me a chance to be filled with love despite myself. His love for me, and the ability to love others is something I couldn't possibly muster up all on my own. That love reveals the image of God within me.

In a time when people had started to fall into a "despairing sea," He came to bring love for us, for our children, and for their children...

He brought a love that only He possessed, one that most people had quickly forgotten how to live. It was the gift of all He embodies, a love beyond our comprehension. One that reaches past our despairing seas, pushes through our hate and anger, and fills us up with love. What a perfect gift.

---------------
She was his girl, he was her boyfriend
Soon to be his wife, making him her husband
A surprise on the way, any day, any day
One healthy little giggling, dribbling, baby boy

Wise men came, three made their way
to shower him with love
while he lay in the hay
shower him with love, love, love
love, love, love
love, love was all around

Not very much of his childhood was known
Made his mother Mary worry
always out on his own
Met another Mary who for a reasonable fee...
Less than reputable was known to be
His heart was full of love
love, love, love
love, love, love...
love was all around

When Jesus Christ was nailed to His tree
said, "Oh Daddy Oh, I can see how it all soon will be
I came to shed a little light
on this darkening sea
Instead of fear
I've spilled the blood of our children all around
the blood of our children all around
the blood of our children all around"

So I'm told, or so the story goes
the people he knew were less than
golden hearted
gamblers and robbers,
drinkers and jokers
All soul searchers
Like you and me
Like you and me

Rumors insisted he soon would be
for his deviations taken into custody
By the authorities less informed than he
Drinkers and jokers
All soul searchers
Searching for love, love, love
Love, love was all around

Preparations were made for a celebration day
He said eat this bread and think of it as me
Drink this wine and dream that it would be
The blood of our children's all around
The blood of our children's all around
The blood of our children's all around

Father up above, why in all this hatred
do you fill us up with love
Love, love, love
Love was all around

Father up above, why in all this anger
do you fill me up with love
love, love, love
Can't buy me love, love, love
All you need is love, love, love
and the blood of our children's all around