Philippians 4:4 
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (CSB)

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, _revel_ in him! (MSG)

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My bride swears she loves me. And yet, she asked me to go to the grocery store to take care of her vehicle registration. You know what this means. 

When I go to the grocery store today, I am guaranteed to hear Christmas muzak featuring Last Christmas and All I Want For Christmas Is You. There is an ongoing debate regarding whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie. No matter which side you agree with, I am here to begin a new debate. Last Christmas and All I Want for Christmas Is You are not Christmas songs. 

There, I said it. Let the vitriol flow!

Three Christmases ago, the first song I heard on Black Friday was Last Christmas. It has a catchy tune. It is perky and bouncy, and some might even call it fun. It’s still not a Christmas song.

I’m pretty sure whoever wrote All I Want for Christmas Is You was not thinking about Jesus. The Baptist Preacher in me says, “But he or she should have been!”

Honestly, I have no interest in these arguments, even though I started the one about the songs. I haven’t watched Die Hard in decades. Neither of those songs is on my personal Christmas playlist. If you enjoy them, enjoy them. Go to the grocery store and sing along down the aisles of soda pop and popcorn, cereals and milks.

I smile every time I hear these tunes, and my mind turns to Bing Crosby and Perry Como, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald, and Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas. These musicians turn my thoughts toward Jesus. 

Rather than experiencing irritation by ersatz entertainment and “milk” from something other than a cow, I will focus on the deeper, brighter, more beautiful meaning of that silent, holy night. My memory is full of meaningful moments reaching for notes that strain my vocal cords and give pleasure only to God above, who enjoys my joyful noise. 

My heart belongs to him in the everlasting manner. Jesus is the gift I want not only for myself but for everyone. He is the gift I joyfully give away to anyone and everyone who will receive it. All I want for Christmas is for you to know him for who he is, why he came, and what he wants for you now and forever. 

Go ahead and join me in the counting of how many times we hear those imitation Christmas songs in the malls and the grocery stores. Join me as well in lingering upon carols, spirituals, and hymns of a deeper, enduring, heavenly love for everyone everywhere. 

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I will turn my heart from happy tunes to enduring joy.

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Our Father, you have filled the hearts and minds of men and women, boys and girls, with songs of meaning and wonder for endless ages. Thank you for the gift of singing and songs celebrating your goodness and glory. Nothing kindles deep joy in me like timeless hymns of settled truth becoming new and true to generation after generation. Amen.