Israel Houghton - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Lyrics
Lyrics
Christmas future is far away
Christmas past is past
Christmas present is here today
Bringing joy that will last
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Video
Israel & New Breed - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Meaning & Inspiration
Israel Houghton’s 2015 release, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," offers a deeply resonant interpretation of this classic carol, imbuing it with a spiritual warmth that elevates its familiar message. While the original lyrics, penned by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, were born from a place of wartime uncertainty, Houghton’s rendition, particularly in its context as a modern gospel interpretation, emphasizes a profound hope and the enduring power of divine peace. The song’s narrative elegantly navigates the passage of time, acknowledging that the "Christmas future is far away" and the "Christmas past is past," but decisively anchors us in the present moment, where "Christmas present is here today, bringing joy that will last." This focus on the eternal present aligns beautifully with biblical truths about God’s constant presence and the timeless nature of His promises. The invitation to "let your heart be light" and to believe that "from now on our troubles will be out of sight" echoes the assurance found in Philippians 4:6-7, which urges us not to be anxious but to bring our requests to God, promising that His peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds. The yearning for the Yuletide to be gay and for troubles to be "miles away" is transformed into a spiritual anticipation of God’s perfect plan unfolding. The nostalgic reflection on "olden days" and "happy golden days of yore," and the gathering of "faithful friends" who are dear to us, speaks to the community and fellowship that are central to the Christian walk, as described in Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another." The poignant desire for enduring togetherness, "if the fates allow," is profoundly reframed by Houghton’s perspective. In a faith-based context, this is not a plea to capricious chance, but a surrender to God’s sovereign will. The act of hanging "a shining star upon the highest bough" becomes a symbol of looking to Christ, the true Light of the world (John 8:12), and anticipating His glorious return. This rendition transcends mere sentimentality, offering a profound encouragement to embrace the joyous present, grounded in the steadfast love and promises of God, and to find true, lasting peace not in the fleeting nature of worldly circumstances, but in the unchanging character of our Savior.