Come down to the manger, see the little stranger
Wrapped in swaddling, lo, the Prince of Peace
Wheels start turning, torches start burning
And the old Wise Men journey from the East
How a little baby boy bring a people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
A shepherd on a hillside where over my flock, I bide
On a cold winter night, a band of angels sing
In a dream I heard a voice saying, "Fear not, come rejoice!
It's the end of the beginning, praise the newborn King"
How a little baby boy bring a people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
I saw it with my own eyes, written up in the skies
But why a simple herdsman such as I?
And then it came to pass, he was born at last
Right below the star that shines on high
How a little baby boy bring a people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
Be tonight, be tonight, be tonight
~ Robbie Robertson (The Band)
I know, I know. It's Christmas Eve, the night before the birth of Jesus, right? Well, maybe not. It is more likely that Jesus was born in the spring. Apparently, when Church officials decided at the end of the third century to make December 25 the designated birthday, it was to have it coincide with existing Pagan festivals, thereby making it more likely that they would accept Rome's position that Christianity was the official religion and Christmas the official Christian holiday. If you're already celebrating Saturn with trees and gifts and booze, why not throw in a little story about a miraculous birth in a far-off country, a magic star, and some shepherds and wise men to add to the excitement? I don't mean to be disrespectful; I think it's a great story, as are those of other mythologies. But I don't think it's just about the story. If your faith is in Jesus Christ, the story of his birth could be anything, right? But really, I was just trying to justify posting this song on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day.
Rick Danko has one of the most beautiful and compelling voices I've ever heard, and he delivers this song with such beauty, I would have to say it is my favorite Christmas song. Levon Helm backs Danko up on the chorus so perfectly. The song was written for 1975's Northern Lights, Southern Cross, but for some reason, was not included. Instead, it appears on 1977's Islands, where it did not get the attention it deserved. Told from the point of view of a lowly shepherd, the traditional story takes on a humble and pedestrian honesty.
If your Christmas Eve is crazy with last minute stuff, I hope this song is able to slow you down a bit. Pour a glass, put your feet up, admire the holiday landscape inside your home, and recognize that this is the end of the beginning.
This must be Christmas. Must be tonight.
Peace on Earth.
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