Back to Bethlehem

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
lights, colors, inflatables jolly.
I wonder if my dollar store decorations
are a good enough celebration
for the Savior of all the nations...

But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I can see the only decor
is a star in the sky and a dirt floor.
There's hay on the ground;
and the glory of the Lord shines all around.
And it's the best celebration of all!

There's no place like home for the holidays -
if you can figure out where home is these days.
Is it mom's or dad's?grandma's? Or the streets?
A place I stuff my face with goodies and sweets?
Is it the place I pray for enough to eat or drink?
Or where family dysfunctions drive me to the brink?

But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I see home is where Jesus is.
No room in the inn, still Jesus lives!
Where hearts receive and seek to be filled,
The Christ-child enters still.
And it's the best home of all!

I'll have a blue Christmas without you.
I'll feel empty inside when I think of you.
The traditions we built together.
The storms we weathered.
The bonds we tethered.
All gone now that you aren't here.
There's no spirit of Christmas cheer.

But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I am surrounded by loving hearts.
I don't feel pulled apart.
I feel a part of -
Changed by love -
And it's the best love of all!

Santa Baby, slip a sable under the tree for me,
an X-box, iPad or maybe a Wii;
don't they grow on trees?
Credit now, worry later, it's the American way,
until the reckoning day
THEN I remember to pray.
I forget God's name and God's will
until I'm covered up in bills.

But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I see the gifts are simple and real.
A touch, an embrace, shepherds kneel,
Incense, perfume, gold,
A warm blanket in the cold,
And they're the best gifts of all!

Rockin' around the Christmas tree
in a winter wonderland,
I wish you a Merry Stress-mas
as I worry and over plan.
Mistletoe kisses and the jingliest of bells -
even Santa's letters
can't make me feel better.
Rudolph can't lead me through this dark night
to find my purpose
and make me feel right
Will someone just clean up the mess
and turn out the lights?

But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I see a bright star.
It tells me where we are.
Mary, Joseph, shepherds, kings, and I,
if we look to the sky,
see the clearest of guideposts
placed there by the one who loves us most -
A brilliant light calling to me
Come back to Bethlehem and see
It's Jesus - the best of all - and all you need.