NewSong - Christmas Shoes Lyrics
Lyrics
It was almost Christmas time
And there I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two
Not really in the Christmas mood
And standin right in front of me was a
Little boy waiting anxiously
Pacin around like little boys do
And in his hands he held
A pair of shoes
and His clothes were worn and old
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say
Chorus:
Sir I wanna buy these shoes
For my mama. please
It's Christmas eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry sir
Daddy says there's not much time
You see,
She's been sick for quite a while And I
know these shoes will make her smile And I
Want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight
They counted penny's for what seemed like years then the
Cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here."
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me and he said
"Mama made Christmas good at our house though
Most years she just did without, Tell me sir,
What am I gonna do?
Some how I gotta buy her these Christmas shoes."
So I laid the money down
I just had to help him out
And I'll never forget the look on his face when he said,
"Mama's gonna look so great."
Sir I wanna buy these shoes
For my mama. please
It's Christmas eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry sir
Daddy says there's not much time
You see,
She's been sick for quite a while And I
know these shoes will make her smile And I
Want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight
I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love as he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent me that little boy to remind me what Christmas is all about
Sir I wanna buy these shoes
For my mama. please
It's Christmas eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry sir
Daddy says there's not much time
You see,
She's been sick for quite a while And I
know these shoes will make her smile And I
Want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight
I Want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight
Video
NewSong - The Christmas Shoes
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 2001 on the album of the same name, NewSong's "The Christmas Shoes" has become an enduring, albeit controversial, Christmas ballad. The narrative, presented through the eyes of an unnamed narrator, centers on a poignant encounter in a department store on Christmas Eve. The narrator, initially caught up in the commercial rush of holiday shopping and feeling detached from the season's spirit, observes a young boy, poorly dressed and anxiously waiting. This boy's sole focus is purchasing a pair of shoes for his ailing mother. The core of the song unfolds as the boy explains his desperate wish: he wants his mother to look beautiful and feel cherished if she were to meet Jesus that night, a stark premonition of her impending death. This profound expression of love and faith from a child, coupled with the realization of his poverty as he struggles to gather enough pennies, moves the narrator to anonymously cover the cost of the shoes. The act of kindness transforms the narrator's perspective, serving as a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas – selfless love, compassion, and the spiritual significance of the season.
The message of "The Christmas Shoes" resonates deeply with Christian principles, drawing parallels to themes of sacrificial love, divine intervention, and the importance of looking beyond material possessions. The boy's unwavering devotion to his mother, even in the face of potential loss, mirrors the selfless love exemplified by Christ. His simple, yet profound, request to make his mother "beautiful" for her potential heavenly encounter speaks to the soul's inherent desire for dignity and peace in the face of mortality. This desire is echoed in scriptures like Philippians 2:4, which encourages believers to "look not only to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others." The boy’s altruism, prioritizing his mother's comfort and dignity over his own needs, serves as a living testament to this principle. Furthermore, the narrator's transformation from a self-absorbed shopper to an instrument of God's grace is a powerful illustration of how divine love can work through ordinary individuals. The encounter prompts a spiritual awakening, reminding the narrator, and by extension the listener, that Christmas is not merely about gifts but about extending love and kindness, a core tenet found throughout the Gospels. The song also touches upon the theme of faith in suffering, as the boy's hope for his mother’s well-being, regardless of the outcome, reflects a deep trust in God's plan, even when it involves pain and loss. This can be seen in verses like Romans 8:28, which assures us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him." The boy’s innocent belief that these shoes will bring solace and beauty to his mother’s final moments underscores the profound hope that faith can provide, even in the darkest of times. The song ultimately advocates for a Christmas centered on compassion, empathy, and an acknowledgment of our shared humanity and spiritual connection, urging a focus on eternal values rather than fleeting material pleasures.