Christmas Shoes Misery
The CCM band Newsong is once again basking in the glow streaming from their now perennial Christmas song, "Christmas Shoes."
On its own, it an ill-written pop song which effectively tugs at the heartstrings. Despite the huge gaps in the story line, it always manages to get a tear or two from its listeners.
Well, I am not overly concerned with the song on that level. If being a saccharine sweet Christmas song was all it intended to be, then I wouldn't waste valuable Blog time on it. Unfortunately, the song's writers, producers, and fans have attempted to assign it a greater place in our hearts.
Newsong, their label, and their fans want us to accept this song as some sort of powerful "Christian" song. That is why where I must draw the line.
The core of the Christian message is nowhere to be found in "Christmas Shoes". In fact, although the songs suggests that the message learned in clear, I am not even sure if I get it. Rest assured, however, the message is not the message of Christ.
"And I know these shoes would make her smile... And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight."
This lone mention of Jesus is obscure. It is so obscure that the execs at CBS were overcome by its "universal appeal" (their words) that "universal" is the word used at Newsong's own site! "Universal appeal" is not how I would describe the true Christian message.
The Jesus of this song doesn't save. He is merely the greeter of apparently anyone who dies. That may sound harsh, but if you want me to accept it as a "Christian" song then I know no other way to look at it! (Note: I don't believe anyone goes in a bodiless form to heaven anyway, but that is the subject of other entries. Here the implications in regard to justification are far more severe)
Bottom line: it is gospel-less and substitutes a universal "Jesus" for the real Christ. This false Jesus is cleverly hidden in an emotionally-dependent (yet ill-structured) pop song.
Paul warns of "another Jesus" and "another gospel" brought by "ministers of righteousness." Just because a song mentions Jesus and talks about heaven doesn't mean it's of God.
Merry Christmas.
On its own, it an ill-written pop song which effectively tugs at the heartstrings. Despite the huge gaps in the story line, it always manages to get a tear or two from its listeners.
Well, I am not overly concerned with the song on that level. If being a saccharine sweet Christmas song was all it intended to be, then I wouldn't waste valuable Blog time on it. Unfortunately, the song's writers, producers, and fans have attempted to assign it a greater place in our hearts.
Newsong, their label, and their fans want us to accept this song as some sort of powerful "Christian" song. That is why where I must draw the line.
The core of the Christian message is nowhere to be found in "Christmas Shoes". In fact, although the songs suggests that the message learned in clear, I am not even sure if I get it. Rest assured, however, the message is not the message of Christ.
"And I know these shoes would make her smile... And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight."
This lone mention of Jesus is obscure. It is so obscure that the execs at CBS were overcome by its "universal appeal" (their words) that "universal" is the word used at Newsong's own site! "Universal appeal" is not how I would describe the true Christian message.
The Jesus of this song doesn't save. He is merely the greeter of apparently anyone who dies. That may sound harsh, but if you want me to accept it as a "Christian" song then I know no other way to look at it! (Note: I don't believe anyone goes in a bodiless form to heaven anyway, but that is the subject of other entries. Here the implications in regard to justification are far more severe)
Bottom line: it is gospel-less and substitutes a universal "Jesus" for the real Christ. This false Jesus is cleverly hidden in an emotionally-dependent (yet ill-structured) pop song.
Paul warns of "another Jesus" and "another gospel" brought by "ministers of righteousness." Just because a song mentions Jesus and talks about heaven doesn't mean it's of God.
Merry Christmas.
posted by bleechers at
8:05 AM
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