Last week, in a moment of musical need, I downloaded the
largest and cheapest Christmas album I could find. Five bucks and less
than five minutes later, “21 Classic Christmas Favorites, Volume 2” was mine
for the listening. The whimsical “Winter Wonderland” was followed by a
festive “Frosty the Snowman,” and the serene strains of “Silent Night” melded
into a rockin’ rendition of “Jingle Bells.” But right before “Rudolph the
Red-Nosed Reindeer” led the way for Santa’s sleigh, Willie Nelson started
singing “Amazing Grace.”
The song caught me by surprise, but it shouldn’t have
because no two words sum up the story better. Amazing Grace—grace that
gave up heaven to help us here on earth. Amazing Grace—grace that kept a
promise though we had broken ours. Amazing Grace—grace that showed up
small but with no small print. Amazing Grace—grace that invited outcast
shepherds to a holy stable. Amazing Grace—grace that moved magi to bow
before the King. Amazing Grace—grace that is as real and fresh and potent
today as it was two thousand years ago. Amazing Grace—grace that rescues
and resuscitates a wretch like me, and keeps me alive breath by breath.
Amazing Grace—grace that knows I can’t hold up my end of the bargain so
it never even asks. Amazing Grace—grace that is always faithful, always
available, and always forever. Amazing Grace—grace that is greater than
all my sin.
Willie couldn’t have picked a better song.
Awesome God. Astounding Love. Amazing Grace.
Merry Christmas.
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