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Christmas Lights (Welcome Home)
It was time to put up the Christmas lights–the seasonal task of the day; however, this year was different with my two oldest daughters away at college.
Two hours later, the task was still not complete. Rather than putting up the lights, I spent time reflecting on the season and Christmas memories of my own childhood. Out of my sentimental pondering, a song emerged.
I thought of the large, colorful lights of my childhood when our family would go on evening drives to see neighborhoods full of bright Christmas displays. I thought of our family traditions with our own kids—the beautiful decorations my wife would magically apply to our tree. I thought of our two girls away at college, soon to be home for Christmas break. I was missing them. I felt a song coming on.
When my wife came upstairs to see the boxes of lights still packed away, she was not pleased. But I had a good start to a new song—a Christmas song in a post-war style hearkening back to the golden voices of the 40’s and 50’s.
The Christmas lights are the beginning--the beacon, but the heart of the song is the ending: the welcoming home. The holidays are filled with travelers leaving home and coming home—from Joseph and Mary on their nativity journey, to the magi following a heavenly star. And down through the ages to modern travelers longing to be home: college students, military personnel, snowbirds, the homeless.
I was missing my daughters and longed to welcome them home.
I did finally put up the lights with the help of my son. Only then could I finally play the song for my wife, who happily admitted that I might have something there!
I thought about being welcomed home—being invited in. I recalled my incredible parents who welcomed in scores of foster children who didn’t have a stable home, and who welcomed in guests of all kinds who were different than us. I thought this should be a welcome song for all, family and stranger alike. This must be what Christmas is really about—the longing, the openness and the welcoming. Merry Christmas! Welcome home!
Lyrics
Christmas lights in the night,
warm the falling snow.
Christmas lights through the night,
shine on ice and stone.
Hearts the long to hold,
more than memories alone.
Red and white and green
are the colors of my dream,
when you're walking through the door.
Merry Christmas, welcome home.
On the tree, lovingly,
ornaments are hung.
Round the fire, warm and dry
songs of old are sung.
How I long to hold
more than memories of old.
Red and white and green
are the colors of my dream,
when you're walking through the door.
Merry Christmas, welcome home.
In the night, in the snow,
is it you coming home?
Christmas lights in the night,
warm the falling snow.
Christmas lights through the night,
shine on ice and stone.
Hearts the long to hold,
more than memories alone.
Red and white and green
are the colors of my dream,
when you're walking through the door.
Merry Christmas, welcome home.
Credits
Written and Performed:
Paul Gerard
Produced:
Bryan Lash and Blash Studios
Cello and String Arrangements:
Phil Peterson
Piano and Keyboard Arrangements:
Josh Rawlings
Guitar:
Paul Gerard