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
{ 18 comments }
Loved your post today. Especially where you mentioned, “His love filled the air like a scent, and moved through the people who came to touch Him. Love was all around.”
I hadn’t thought of it like that before, but boy it sure does make sense. On Sunday our pastor was teaching out of Chapter 3 in Luke, and I noticed that it said the shepherds (who had been visited by the angel) came to the manger to seek out the Christ child, went out to spread the good news…and then came back again.
I had never realized that the shepherds came back again, for more of Jesus.
His love is intoxicating and draws us all to come close.
Beautiful post!
Merry Christmas
What a great song, I had never heard it! It has a great message, especially today.
Dave is a modern day poet!
That was an absolutely beautiful post. Thank you.
I’ve never heard (or read) this song before. It’s beautiful!
Have a wonderful Christmas, dear friend.
I used to be a huge Dave Matthews groupie, and they are still my favorite band. I love this song. Thanks for sharing it.
Merry Christmas, Heather, and may next year be less stressful. :)
I’m with Kristina–may next year be much better–starting now! Love you!
Thanks for sharing this! I’m embarrassed to say I have not heard it before. Merry Christmas!
I had heard this song before, but I never paid close attention to the lyrics. It’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
It’s refreshing to hear someone as popular as Dave Matthews singing so openly about something so openly scorned and ridiculed by society as a whole.
I am certainly glad there is a reason to sing and be joyful. I try to imagine what the world would have been like had God not loved us so much that He gave us his Only Begotten Son. Life would be dreary and cold indeed.
Merry Christmas!
Never heard this before, but you’re right, sheer poetry!
Merry Christmas!
Carolynn
Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing this song. As I type this comment, Mango is working out how to play the chords for it on his guitar!
Thanks for the great song. Merry Christmas to you too, Heather.
He is a great and thoughtful artist.
Now that Christmas is over, let’s all look forward to a terrific new year, with good health for us AND our children.
Lots of things broke for us this year. Much money was spent on the broken things. We have many new things but not much money. Happy New Year!
Thanks for reminding me of this song. I love it! I hadn’t heard it yet this year. Love it.
Merry Christmas! I hope you had a wonderful day!
That stole my breath. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing the song.
I loved the song you share here. Thanks for posting the lyrics too. Otherwise I would have missed the most profound parts.
You are a great example of “love all around.”
I see you all over the blogosphere spreading your love and lifting people despite your own amazing trials.
It reminds me of a favorite quote: “Empathy in agony is a portion of divinity.”
I hope you always remember that about the way you rose to all the challenges of this year with extraordinary love.
xo
Comments on this entry are closed.