The Forgotten Carols: Let Him In by Michael McLean

Now, I know yesterday I said that "I Cannot Find My Way (Three Kings)" was my favorite Forgotten Carol but that was partly true. "The Innkeeper (Let Him In)" is my favorite! Ok, they both are! :)

The part of this song that I identify most with is another intimately human tendency, to condemn and criticize yourself unnecessarily for mistakes:

He never would condemn me
I did that all on my own
He offered His forgiveness
And ever since then, I've known
He lets us choose each hour of each day
If we'll let Him in to stay; Let Him in
Let Him in, Let the peace on earth begin
Let Him in, Let Him in
Let the hope and joy begin!

And whether it be in your world today
Or a crowded Bethlehem Inn,
Find a way, make Him room
Let Him in!
Let the hope and joy begin
(It's beginning)
Let Him in
Let the peace on earth begin
(It's beginning)
Let Him in!!!!

I hope with the new year to come that we will choose to learn from our mistakes and move on, allowing joy, hope and peace to take room in our hearts and lives. Merry Christmas everyone!

The Forgotten Carols: I Cannot Find My Way/Three Kings by Michael McLean

I think it's a tough call but "I Cannot Find My Way/Three Kings" from The Forgotten Carols may be my favorite... but oh, I love them all!

This song represents that most human of situations--feeling alone and seeking for something--someone--anything to fill the void.

Somewhere beneath the glitter
That comes this time of winter
In many souls there is a cry
They may not clearly say it
But in their hearts they pray it
And you can see it in their eyes

'I cannot find my way
I cannot find my way
I cannot find my way at all
There are so many voices
So many different choices,
I cannot find my way at all.'

We're not alone,
We have a star
And it shines today
The love that He gave
Teaches how
And shows the way
That light,
it's clear to see
If we have faith and believe
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we.

The Forgotten Carols: The Shepherd (You Were Not There in Bethlehem) by Michael McLean

Another Forgotten Carol, The Shepherd (You Were Not There in Bethlehem) is a beautiful song of hope born after doubt and questioning. The character in this song is me, you and any person that first hears the story of Messiah then is presented with a choice: believe? Doubt? I LOVE the lines (pretty much the whole song):

...Somehow I did believe them, though everything I knew said I should not believe them--This story can't be true. . . 

I asked a thousand questions, their answers startled me. The more I heard, the more I thought, I knew this cannot be! And then the struggle started, my head was wrestling with my heart.

Why would a God from Heaven come to the world this way? Why in a lowly stable would the Messiah lay? I shook my head and asked them to tell the story one more time... 

Yes, I did believe them though I'd not seen a thing. I did not go to Bethlehem, or hear the angels sing, but there was something magic in the air that made me feel as if I had been there.

I knew that as the world moves on through time, there would be more stories just like mine, about the souls who've chosen to believe in something that they never got to see. 

Do you think you'll join us? Though you've not seen a thing? You were not there in Bethlehem to hear the angels sing, but if you feel the spirit in the air, then just like me you'd know 

That He was here, He was here! The King of kings
And Lord of lords was here! He was here and He will come again, For He was here!

I LOVE this song. It's all about choice. And I choose to believe.

The Forgotten Carols: Handel's Dream by Michael McLean

One of my favorite stories is Michael McLean's Forgotten Carols. If you ever have a chance to see the play, performed at Christmas time, I encourage you to do so. It shares the stories of "minor" characters in the Christmas story--the innkeeper, a shepherd that fell asleep and missed the heavenly announcement, a woman that helps tend to Mary after the birth... in other words "every day people". The story covers their experiences as they come to recognize Christ and I just love each song because I find a piece of myself in them.

In honor of Christmas, I'd like to share a few of my favorite songs from the play, starting with the story of the famous composer Handel, known for his oratorio, Messiah.