Christmas Countdown

As I've listened to my Christmas music this year, I've decided that I want to countdown to Christmas with some of my very favorite Christmas songs. Some songs are traditional, so aren't, but each of these songs that I'm giong to post over the next few days are songs that make me really think about what Christmas is really all about.  Today's song is called "While You Were Sleeping" by the group Casting Crowns.  It's about how Bethlehem missed out on the miracle that was happening on the night of Jesus' birth.  It goes on to challenge us not to be "asleep" and miss Jesus in our own world today.  You can listen to it & read the lyrics here.  Here are the lyrics if you'd just like to read them:

Oh little town of Bethlehem

Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight, tonight


Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping


Oh little town of Jerusalem, looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save


Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping


United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night


America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping


United States of America
Looks like another silent night