In January, 1940, Irving Berlin penned the words to a song we have heard and sung during Christmas for years. The words are simple and the message couldn’t be clearer; “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. Where the tree tops glisten and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow…” The song was recorded and topped the charts in the winter of 1942 (the year following the attack on Pearl Harbor). In a few short years, 1954, Bing Crosby made this a classic, all-time favorite in the movie “White Christmas.” Perhaps the mix of melancholy – “just like the ones I used to know” – with comforting images of home – “where the treetops glisten” – gives an understanding of missing home. It’s easy to see how this song could resonated so strongly with listeners during World War II. You understand when you remember that during this time thousands of young men were scattered across the world, far from home, fighting for our freedom. The sentiment expressed in the song propelled it’s success.
For all practical purposes, the words are saying, “I’m dreaming of being home.” Ask most any college student and he or she will tell you how good it is to be home after months away. Even when we grow older and have families of our own, there is something about ‘going home’ that swells within our hearts. But what about that feeling of longing to be ‘home’ with Christ? Do we think about/Do we long to be home with Him? Paul sums it up best in the first chapter in the book of Philippians; “…I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;” (NAS) Paul is talking about dying (though not suicidal) and going ‘home’ to heaven, as opposed to living on in this life and serving in the kingdom of God. He understood that when this life is over (when the battle is won), God has reserved a place for His children.
As we enjoy this Christmas season and sing songs of peace and home, remember the home that is waiting for the children of God. Would that we all be dreaming of that home! Enjoy this song of the season and let it warm your heart. Our “Christmas Song of the Day”…I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.
In January, 1940, Irving Berlin penned the words to a song we have heard and sung during Christmas for years. The words are simple and the message couldn’t be clearer; “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. Where the tree tops glisten and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow…” The song was recorded and topped the charts in the winter of 1942 (the year following the attack on Pearl Harbor). In a few short years, 1954, Bing Crosby made this a classic, all-time favorite in the movie “White Christmas.” Perhaps the mix of melancholy – “just like the ones I used to know” – with comforting images of home – “where the treetops glisten” – gives an understanding of missing home. It’s easy to see how this song could resonated so strongly with listeners during World War II. You understand when you remember that during this time thousands of young men were scattered across the world, far from home, fighting for our freedom. The sentiment expressed in the song propelled it’s success.