If you want a blessing today, regardless of your religious persuasion, listen to ten year old Kaylee Rodgers sing, Hallelujah. Though afflicted with autism, Kaylee comes out of herself to be a blessing to millions of people around the world through the marvel of the internet. God’s gift of singing transforms this beautiful Irish child with the message of hope in Christ, being heard afresh at this special time of the season. The song was originally sung during her school choir concert at Killard School in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. Kaylee sings an alternative version of Hallelujah, featuring lyrics by contemporary Christian rock band Cloverton.
“A Hallelujah Christmas”
(Originally by Leonard Cohen)
“I’ve heard about this baby boy
Who’s come to earth to bring us joy
And I just want to sing this song to you
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
With every breath I’m singing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
A couple came to Bethlehem
Expecting child, they searched the inn
To find a place for You were coming soon
There was no room for them to stay
So in a manger filled with hay
God’s only Son was born, oh Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The shepherds left their flocks by night
To see this baby wrapped in light
A host of angels led them all to You
It was just as the angels said
You’ll find Him in a manger bed
Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
A star shown bright up in the east
To Bethlehem, the wisemen three
Came many miles and journeyed long for You
And to the place at which You were
Their frankincense and gold and myrrh
They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I know You came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A man and one day die for me and you
My sins would drive the nails in You
That rugged cross was my cross, too
Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah”
The world needs a song, because a cruel Islamic religious organization is trying to murder as many Christians as possible during the 2016 Christmas season. In Berlin, the slaughter of the innocent has begun. On Monday, December 19, 2016 a very evil “solider” of the Islamic State group carried out a truck attack that killed twelve unsuspecting people at a Berlin Christmas market. Because there is no discernable public shame, or censoring within the ISIS community over such atrocities, on Tuesday the pathetic Islamic coward, with hatred and murder in his heart, and fueled by Islamic religious beliefs, was praised.
Individuals need a song, because their hearts are empty. A surprising statistic has revealed that there is an increase in suicides during the Christmas and New Year season. Perhaps this is because people are lonely. Some are in war zones, far from loved ones. Others have seen a beloved family member die, and they are not present to share memories with.
In Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, a little girl was observing the manger scene on display inside the church. It is the custom of the church to display the manger scene with everything in place, except the baby, until the Christmas Eve service, when a child is placed there. The little girl looked at the empty manger and said, “Where is the baby Jesus. He is missing.”
What is missing in the lives of so many today is Jesus who is Emmanuel, God with us. God is missing in many lives, and in many societies, leading to bloodshed and violence, loss of hope, and distorted human values. The good news is that a Saviour has been born to die for our sins, and His name is Jesus. Sing Hallelujah.
