Do you hear what I hear? Andy Williams

I was blind but now I see

For many many years, to me, Jesus was an icon. And a piece of jewellery around my neck. And a person I vaguely remember hearing about in boring scripture class. I had known him from a very young age.

For many many years, this song was much like Jesus. It was dull, boring, instilling in me nothing but yawns. And like him, I knew this song from when I was very young. From memory we sang it in infants at this time of the year.

But then at about 26 someone asked me one question that changed everything.

She asked, “Who do you think Jesus is?”

My instinct was aggressive. I thought, “Who does she think she is? Doesn’t she know who’s she talking to?” I quickly recalled those many many times I had been to church, done my cross, been a good little Grik boy.

Yet my answer was, “I don’t know…”

Now that was odd. I had known him since I was very little. But in that millisecond I realised I hadn’t known him at all.

Her question echoed the refrains of this song…

Do you see what I see?

Do you hear what I hear?

Do you know what I know?

These aren’t mere lyrics. These are life altering moments. And from the moment she asked me her question my life was altered.

I’m not the best of Christians. I know many who are better. I fail. But he is faithful. As the song concludes…

He will bring us goodness and light

And that he has done for me.

Over the years, I've come to understand this song. Even greater, I came to know who the song is about.

Merry Christmas, my dear friends.