Christmas-y Christmas

4 more days to christmas...
but i don't feel the christmas-y spirit in the air.

despite the christmas lights along king's parade that delighted me so much when they were first up.

despite the big tree in market square.
despite having more christmas desserts in the past one month than all other time summed together.
despite all the carol service i attended.
despite the music from this radio station that exclusively plays christmas tunes.
depsite me changing my wallpaper, cursor and windows media player visualization to christmas-related themes.

despite people wishing each other merry christmas so much more often here.

am i jaded to all this superficial merry-making that so often get people blindly excited for the season already? afterall, new year comes a few days later and the cycle of the seasons begins again. but i am not even 20! why such a bleak outlook?!

but at least my pastor emphasised the need for christmas. we went through the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1:1-17 and pondered over how Christ's birth would have been impossible if God's hands weren't behind it. just as the star that shone so brightly above the manger in bethlehem, God came as man to bring light to us in the dark.

The First Noel, the Angels did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star

Shining in the East beyond them far

And to the earth it gave great light

And so it continued both day and night.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

And by the light of that same star

Three Wise men came from country far

To seek for a King was their intent

And to follow the star wherever it went.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

This star drew nigh to the northwest

O'er Bethlehem it took its rest

And there it did both

Pause and stay

Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those

Wise men three

Full reverently upon their knee

And offered there in His presence

Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our heavenly

Lord That hath made

Heaven and earth of nought

And with his blood mankind has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

-The First Noel-

how aptly the hymn narrates the first christmas!

maybe it's just me feeling the end-of-year blues.

Lord, grant me your joy and peace as promised.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favour rest."

i want a hug.