I spent yesterday baking candy and cookies with my daughters and my sister. Since my oldest child was born, we’ve held an annual Christmas baking day. Yesterday’s baking was an all-afternoon event, and everybody pitched in.
Upon mixing the first recipe, my middle child announced, “It doesn’t feel like Christmas until we bake. Now it feels like Christmas.”
Ah, yes, it doesn’t feel like Christmas for many people.
It doesn’t feel much like Christmas {“the most wonderful time of the year”} when you’re experiencing:
- financial stress
- rejection
- estrangement
- judgment
- broken traditions
- sickness
- regret
- failed dreams
- unforgiveness
Christmas puts a microscope right up to all those problems and magnifies them. It can result in overwhelming depression and anxiety. The days seem forever long, and the nights endless. The tears flow quicker and easier than usual. Hope feels like a cruel joke.
At Christmastime — more than ever — we need to be reminded that we are loved just as we are. Unconditionally.
I want to remind you that you are loved. Today through Christmas day, you can download “You Are Loved” {a song my co-writer, George Vinson, and I recorded earlier this year} for free. Listen and let the words sink deep into your heart. My Christmas wish is that you find comfort through this simple song.
“You Are Loved”
Verse One When your world is cold and dark And the scars have all left their mark When you can’t cry one more tear And the night feels like a year You are loved Verse Two When you can’t do one thing right And all hope is out of sight When the voice has told you lies And your heart just wants to die You are loved Chorus You are loved just as you are You are loved just as you are You are loved Verse Three When life seems to go all wrong And you can’t even sing your song When your soul has lost has its dance And you’ve wasted your last chance You are loved Chorus You are loved just as you are You are loved just as you are You are loved just as you are You are loved just as you are You are loved Bridge Love in a warm embrace In the lines of a letter or an unknown face A love that lasts, one that stays Even when it gets pushed away Chorus You are loved just as you are You are loved just as you are You are loved just as you are You are loved just as you are You are loved
Click here to read about the inspiration for “You Are Loved.”
Click here to watch a video of George and me performing “You Are Loved.”
“You Are Loved” credits
Written and produced by Rebekah Gilbert & George Vinson (c)(p)2014
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Eric Bates, Bates Brothers Recording, Hueytown AL
Keyboards and programming by Charles Harnach
Vocals by Rebekah Gilbert
Guitars by George Vinson
Thank you Rebekah (and George) for this Christmas blessing. Of the many compelling lyrics of this song, this line stood out: “When your soul has lost its dance.” I know what this means; you put words to it. Thank your for the reminder that, despite feelings, we are loved. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you a bit through your blog this year. I pray that somehow, in some mysterious way, all souls torn, tattered, and numb from pain will find their rhythm again…and dance. Blessings, dear sister.