Christmas is here. Finally. Have we ever been more ready? As this unpredictable year spins crazily to a close, I, for one, would love to celebrate with some familiar traditions. The trouble is, many of those traditions- things like traveling, gathering together, and singing in close proximity to others- have all been moved to the naughty list. (Well, that last one may have always been on the naughty list for me, but still.) The nice list includes suggestions for activities such as decorating a Christmas themed face mask.
In light of these bewildering developments, all I can say is, “Who’d a thunk it?”
In fact, I have officially dubbed this holiday season the “Who’d a Thunk It?” Christmas. And, in keeping with that spirit, I’ve taken the liberty of changing some popular song lyrics (sorry, Andy) to better fit our current situation. Here is my 2020 remake..
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids sanitizing
And everyone advising you
Don’t get too near
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
It’s the hap-happiest season of all
With six-feet-apart greetings
And happy Zoom meetings
Or if the Internet’s down you can call.
It’s the hap-happiest season of all!
There’ll be pictures for posting
Of marshmallows toasting
And masked carolers in the snow.
There’ll be scary news stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmas not so long ago.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Not so much mistletoeing
But screens will be glowing
When loved ones are virtually near
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Truly, we’ve never experienced an advent celebration quite like this one. Andy Williams would choke on his marshmallow if he were around to see it. And yet, 2020 does not get the prize for the most extreme “Who’d a Thunk It?” holiday. That honor goes to the very first Christmas. As a matter of fact, “Who’d a Thunk It?” is the very definition of the life-changing events that happened two-thousand years ago.
Who’d a thunk that…
The creator of the universe would become a baby,
In the womb of a virgin,
Be born in a stable and laid in a feeding trough,
Worshipped by shepherds who’d been visited by angels,
And found by kings who followed a star?
Who would have guessed that this baby would grow up and save the world, not by exerting his power, but by humbling himself to take our place on a cross?
Who’d a thunk it?
Nobody. Even Mary had only a glimpse of God’s plan. She was left to wonder about the strange details. And wonder, she did. Scripture tells us that as she observed the events happening around her, she pondered them in her heart. In the MOV (My Own Version), she asked “Who’d a thunk it?”
But the life-altering interruption she experienced did not cause her to panic or complain. Instead, in the midst of wild and woolly change, she let go of her expectations and chose to spend time marveling instead of moping. (see Luke 1:46-55)
I could learn from her example. If she could deal with a manger, surely I can deal with a mask. Like Mary, in the midst of unexpected circumstances, I can choose to wonder instead of worry. I can do that precisely because of the things she wondered about. I can proclaim, as she did, that the Lord’s mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. (Luke 1:50). It turns out, in the only way that truly counts, Christmas has not changed in 2000 years. Who’d a thunk it?
Merry Christmas 2020!
click below to view the premier performance of the 2020 version of…
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
I love this! You hit the nail right on the head! Merry Christmas!
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading it, Deanna! Merry Christmas!
How cute! Love this!❤️
I just read this aloud to my Mom. We love it!!! You nailed it, it’s a (hopefully temporary) new normal. Very cleverly written! ❤️?
This is awesome!
Your song is cracking me up! Love the new lyrics. Thanks, Martha!