Anne Wilson - Just Because It's Christmas Lyrics
Lyrics
Just because it’s Christmas
Doesn’t mean your heart don’t hurt
Just because it’s Christmas
Doesn’t mean there’s peace on earth
Joy to all the world
Can be the hardest time of year
But see the star
Even here
Bring your wounded heart to the manger
Fall down at the feet of the king
When thrills of hope don’t find you
He loves you just the same
You don’t have to be ok
Just because it’s Christmas
He’s healing for the broken
And he’s home for all the lost
He’s comfort for the weary
Sent from heaven just for us
So you don’t have to hide
Your questions deep within your soul
Emmanuel
Already knows
O come and adore him
O come and adore him
Feel the wonder once again
O come and adore him
Video
Anne Wilson - Just Because It’s Christmas (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Anne Wilson’s moving song, "Just Because It's Christmas," released on October 28, 2022, as part of her EP, *The Manger*, offers a profoundly honest and much-needed perspective on the holiday season. Rather than presenting a saccharine, idealized version of Christmas, Wilson courageously acknowledges the profound grief and loneliness that many experience during a time often characterized by forced cheer. This song creates a sacred space for individuals whose hearts are heavy, inviting them to bring their authentic struggles to the very heart of the Christmas story.
The core message of "Just Because It's Christmas" resonates deeply by confronting the widely held, yet often unrealistic, expectation of universal joy. It directly challenges the notion that the festive atmosphere automatically negates personal pain, recognizing that "Joy to all the world can be the hardest time of year." This initial honesty is powerful, validating the experiences of countless people who find themselves hurting amidst a season of supposed merriment. It’s a crucial reminder that God's presence, symbolized by the guiding star mentioned, remains even "here"—in the midst of sorrow and disillusionment. This idea echoes Psalm 34:18, which promises that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit, offering comfort precisely when it feels least accessible.
The song then extends a tender, radical invitation: "Bring your wounded heart to the manger, fall down at the feet of the King." This isn't an instruction to put on a brave face, but rather a call to authentic vulnerability before Christ. It speaks to the truth that our brokenness does not disqualify us from His love; in fact, it is often in our weakness that His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). When "thrills of hope don’t find you," the song assures us, "He loves you just the same." This unwavering acceptance is a powerful testament to the unconditional nature of divine love, as proclaimed in Romans 5:8, where Christ died for us while we were still sinners. The line "You don’t have to be ok just because it’s Christmas" serves as a liberating balm, granting permission to truly lament and mourn, trusting in a God who understands and weeps with His people (John 11:35).
Wilson continues to paint a vivid picture of Christ’s character, articulating His multifaceted provision for humanity. He is "healing for the broken," fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1, where the Messiah comes to bind up the brokenhearted. He is "home for all the lost," recalling Jesus’s own mission to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). He is "comfort for the weary," embodying the compassionate God described in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, who comforts us in all our affliction. And He is "sent from heaven just for us," a profound declaration of God's redemptive plan through the incarnation, as beautifully articulated in John 3:16. The song encourages open dialogue with God, stating that we "don’t have to hide your questions deep within your soul" because "Emmanuel already knows." This assurance of God's intimate knowledge of our inner struggles and unspoken doubts is deeply comforting, reflecting Psalm 139:1-4, which describes God’s complete understanding of our thoughts, words, and ways even before we utter them. The name Emmanuel itself, meaning "God with us" (Matthew 1:23), is a cornerstone of the Christmas message, signifying a God who actively chooses to dwell among humanity, sharing in our suffering and offering His presence.
Ultimately, "Just Because It's Christmas" culminates in a powerful call to worship and remembrance, echoing the familiar strains of traditional carols: "O come and adore him, feel the wonder once again." This final refrain, however, is imbued with a richer meaning, coming after such a compassionate acknowledgement of pain. It’s an invitation not to a superficial joy, but to a deeper, more authentic adoration that arises from recognizing Christ’s love and presence even in our deepest struggles. It reminds us that the true wonder of Christmas lies not in perfect circumstances, but in the perfect love of a God who meets us exactly where we are, offering healing, comfort, and hope that transcends any seasonal sorrow. This song stands as a beacon for those navigating difficult times during the holidays, powerfully reorienting focus back to the humble manger and the profound, redemptive love born there.