Anne Wilson and Josh Turner’s Christmas single can now be heard in rotation on 89.5 KTSY!
Church holidays remind us of the core events of our faith. That’s part of what makes the Christmas season so special, isn’t it? The sense of remembering. As Anne and Josh sing these lyrics, they capture the reminders so well, sharing how certain Christmas decorations remind them of Jesus coming to earth.
We quote John 3:16 a lot around Easter remembering the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection. But we should quote the scripture more at Christmas, too. You see, in that verse, we learn that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to save the world because He loves the world. And, Christmas was the beginning; God sent His Son. Christmas is a time for us to reflect on why Jesus came to earth and His victory over sin and death that reconciles us to God when we believe in Him.
Christmas is a time for us to stand in awe at both the power and humility our great God demonstrated. Even though He is God and King, He was willing to become like us–even to the point of becoming a baby and being born in a manger–to experience being a human so He could empathize with our tests and temptations. Jesus lived victoriously over sin and temptation so He could offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice to pay for our sins, as outlined in Philippians 2:5-11.
What a story. What a gift. Let’s be thankful for that this Christmas.
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. (John 1:12-14 NLT)
Lyrics
[Verse 1: Anne Wilson]
They’re puttin’ decorations up in front of my old church
The shepherds and the wise men and the hay
There’s Joseph and his Mary lookin’ down at Heaven’s birth
And the angel sayin’, “Don’t you be afraid”
[Verse 2: Anne Wilson]
It makes me stop and think about how You showed up down here
In a humble bed made of nails and wood
You could’ve picked a palace, somethin’ more fit for a King
But then the story wouldn’t be as good
[Chorus: Anne Wilson]
From the highest of the high to the lowest of the low
That stable tells a story of the distance You will go
For the lonely and the lost, there’s no sinner too far gone
To find a Savior lyin’ in the manger
[Verse 3: Josh Turner]
There’s a star up in the sky and it’s callin’ all the least of these
Come make your way to where your hope is found
If I’m honest, some days I feel too far out of reach
But the manger reminds me love reached down
[Chorus: Josh Turner, Josh Turner & Anne Wilson]
From the highest of the high to the lowest of the low
That stable tells a story of the distance You will go
For the lonely and the lost, there’s no sinner too far gone
To find a Savior lyin’ in the manger
[Post-Chorus: Josh Turner]
Oh, oh, oh
[Bridge: Anne Wilson, Anne Wilson & Josh Turner]
You were carried by a manger, and just thirty-three years later
By a rugged cross made from nails and wood
And the tears fill up my eyes, You didn’t have to give Your life
But then the story wouldn’t be as good
[Chorus: Anne Wilson & Josh Turner]
From the highest of the high to the lowest of the low
That stable tells a story of the distance You will go
For the lonely and the lost, there’s no sinner too far gone
To find a Savior lyin’ in the manger
[Outro: Anne Wilson & Josh Turner]
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay
