Best! Story! Ever!

A few years ago my family and I went to the movie theatre to see a cute cartoon children’s movie called Tangled. The film is a modern take on the classic story of Rapunzel. One of my favorite scenes of the movie was when young Rapunzel had just escaped from the dreadful tower that she had been locked in her whole life. For the first time she tasted freedom… and it tasted really good! At one point, unable to contain her joy, she raced around a tree and loudly exclaimed that this was her “Best! Day! Ever!”

Loved. That. Movie moment!

A few days after seeing Tangled, I was sitting at my kitchen table preparing to speak and sing for a women’s Christmas event for a church in South Carolina. I prayed that the Lord would give me fresh inspiration as I shared the sacred love story of Christmas.

Opening up my Bible, I read through Luke 1 and 2: that familiar story of the birth of Christ. The words leapt off the page that day and filled my heart with awe all over again. I was reminded of the joyful Tangled movie moment and was fully convinced that I was reading the “Best! Story! Ever!” – of when Grace came to earth as a snuggly baby.

Compelled to respond creatively… I wrote a rap. Of course.

A Christmas rap.

Oh, yes I did!

Not my normal genre, but that day my heart responded to the Word in rhyme and rhythm!

Most of us have heard the Christmas story a thousand times. There’s an old saying that familiarity breeds contempt. Surely we must guard against this! May we never become bored of the miraculous story of Christmas!

Are you ready to experience a fresh rhyming twist on Luke 1:26-56 and Luke 2:1-20?

Then open your mind and ready your heart for the: Best! Story! Ever!

A Christmas Rap (When Sacred Love Came Down)[i] By Gwen Smith

A long time ago an angel told a girl
That she would have a baby and He would save the world
Now Mary was confused ‘cause she hadn’t known a man
But her innocence was a part of God’s plan

The angel said the Spirit of the Lord would make it happen
“He’ll be the Son of God. He will be a man of action!”
“May it be as you have said, I’m a servant of the Lord.
Blessed among women! I can’t wait ‘til he is born!”

So nine months later on the night the babe would come
A twinkle in the sky brought attention to God’s Son
The shepherds, they were chillin’ in the fields with their sheep
When the Angel of the Lord came and stirred them from their sleep

“Do not be afraid! I bring good and joyful news
That will be for every man, this will be a sign to you.
For unto you is born, in the town of David
The Christ! The Messiah! And He will be your Savior!”

“Now listen, there is more – and you might find it stranger
You will find this baby, lying in a manger.”
Then suddenly the sky was filled with angels singin’ praise
Joyful songs to celebrate the One who came to save

The shepherds said, “No way! Let’s go and check it out!”
They ran to see the babe that the angels sang about
They came upon the child then ran to spread the word
And people were amazed at the story that they heard

O what a holy night, when sacred Love came down
To wear a suit of skin, to wear a thorny crown
For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son
To reconcile hearts. It is finished! It is done!

Dear Lord, You are so awesome! Thank You for loving us and for sending Your only Son, Jesus, to reconcile my heart. Surely, Your grace is amazing. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

[i] ©2012 Audio 31 Music / Song by Gwen Smith / All Rights Reserved / Used by Permission