The Road To: Reflecting on Blessings
The Road to: Reflecting on Blessings
This post was drafted before the Christmas holidays. Given the subsequent tragedy of the Los Angeles fires and the continuing divisiveness across our country, I considered finding another theme this month – but no, the song’s LA connections and the lyrics offer this Christmas carol as appropriate, possibly more appropriate as we reflect on our blessings.
Most Christmas carols have been around a long time and have long and historical roots. This past Christmas season, I discovered one that is less than 20 years old. Some of you will likely be aware of it, and it has significance for us today.
The song is “God Bless us Everyone.” And you can listen to it by clicking here: https://youtu.be/L0etzRicU04?si=pOMALoz5yqQNS6Ps
This song/carol emphasizes the bestowing of gifts (in this case blessings) on all people. Perhaps it is important for us to consider our blessings and how we share them? The phrase “God Bless us Everyone” comes from a final statement attributed to Tiny Tim in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The carol was written by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, and sung above by Andrea Bocelli. Ironically, given the LA fires, Alan Silvestri has scored some of the most iconic films in Hollywood history; Glen Ballard is a much-awarded songwriter whose music production company is in Hollywood; Andrea Bocelli is a well-known singer who ended his concert in 2009 with this song at the Disney debut of the animated film “A Christmas Carol.” Also, Andrea Bocelli sang "God Bless us Everyone" at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on June 8, 2009. The song was the final track from the “A Christmas Carol” soundtrack, composed by Alan Silvestri.
The lyrics of this carol provide us an opportunity to reflect and to pray, be these prayers for the current state of our nation’s divide or prayers for the impact of the LA fires.
Come together, one and all in the giving spirit
Right from the beginning we find an opportunity to pray — about how we all can come together. Seems to be a tough call these days. What ideas do your prayers uncover? Will you share with us all below as a comment? What is your prayer?
Gifts abound here great and small. Joyously we feel it
Do you feel joy? Joy may be hard for some these days. What gifts abound for you? Are they great or small? Can you share the joy, or the gifts? What is your prayer?
Blessings sent us from above Guide us on our way
Do you pray for blessings from above or in gratitude for the blessings received? How might you share your blessings with those who have lost family, security or property? What is your prayer?
We raise our voice as we rejoice. Bow our head and pray.
A miracle has just begun. God bless us everyone.
What or who is the miracle for you? OR. How do you experience the miracle? What does “A miracle has just begun” mean to you? Is that something you can share with others?
Consider these selected additional lines to the song. Do you have some thoughts for prayer around each (or any) of these lines? Please, please share your prayers!
To the voices no one hears We have come to find you…
What is your prayer?
Goodness, hope, and virtue. Father, Mother, Daughter, Son, Each a treasure be…
What is your prayer?
One candle's light dispels the night, Now our eyes can see. Burning brighter than the sun …
What is your prayer?
God bless us everyone. The miracle has just begun. God bless us everyone!
Who are you asking God to bless?
Praying for you,
PB
Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
949-493-1502
info@sjcpres.org