Words of Reflection
One of the particular joys of doing this kind of Advent Devotional is that searching for songs to feature becomes an introduction to some amazing music that doesn’t get the exposure that it deserves. That’s the case with today’s song. It may be my favourite discovery of this devotional.
In fact, I am so struck by this song and its lyrical prayer that I really can’t add much to it. This song is a plea to God from someone who is in danger of forgetting what this season is about. The reasons they’ve forgotten are not the usual excuses of being too busy or distracted (as real as those are), but they are much deeper and more painful reasons: loneliness, exhaustion, and an overwhelming frustration with the state of the world. Who hasn’t felt those realities deeply at one time or another these past few years, and who hasn’t wrestled with how those realities can cause us to lose sight of what Advent and Christmas mean?
The prayer of this song is a simple, yet powerful, three words: “Lord, remind me.”
We normally post a link to the lyrics, but today here they are in full. You’re invited to listen, read, and pray.
When children play on Christmas day and snow is flung
When I feel I haven't had a friend since I was young
And I'm feeling tired of myself and everyone
Lord remind me, Lord remind me
That the shepherds heard the angels break the silence in the field
That the wisemen found a baby and they could not help but kneel
That the one who heard our weeping became a child in manger sleeping
Lord remind me
‘Cause it's Christmas and I want to remember
When I hear the news and hear another war has begun
And I wonder if God's on the side of either one
I hear bullet nail or handcuff he bore all of them
And in the light my heart's as dark as anyone's
Lord remind me
Lord remind me
That the shepherds heard the angels break the silence in the field
That the wisemen found a baby and they could not help but kneel
That the one who heard our weeping
Became a child in manger sleeping
Lord remind me
‘Cause it's Christmas and I want to remember
Tell me how he loves
Tell me how he wants me
Tell me the story like I've never heard before
And I'll sing like the angels
Sing with my whole heart
Sing to him who's worth a thousand suns and more
Glory in the highest
Glory in the lowest
Glory that shines when nothing seems to shine at all
Glory in the highest
Glory in the lowest
Glory, Emmanuel
Glory in the highest
Glory in the lowest
Glory, Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Lord remind me, Lord remind me
That the paralytic rose and stood up proud on his own feet
That the thief who hung beside you is with you now and waits for me
That the cry of faith so simple is the greatest song in heaven's hymnal
Lord remind me
‘Cause it's Christmas and I want to remember
Songwriter: Jonathan Allen Guerra
Lord Remind Me lyrics © Be Essential Songs
Scripture for Meditation:
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
—Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
—John 1:14 (NKJV)
Song: Lord, Remind Me
Questions for Contemplation:
Can you identify with this song right now? Or perhaps do you know someone who would identify with it? Spend some time with the simple three-word prayer, “Lord, remind me” (or “Lord, remind them”).
What helps you to remember spiritual truths when you are tempted to forget them? What objects, practices, disicplines, or Scripture passages help you remember? How might you keep them in a prominent place where they might prompt you?
This song contains a lyric with an interesting twist on a familiar phrase: “Glory in the lowest.” What does that mean to you? How does it speak to you? Prompt you to prayer?