Nichole Nordeman - Real Lyrics
Lyrics
Frozen statues in the cold, washed in moonlight blue and gold.
Mary's babe in plastic cape, quiet wonder on her face.
Mary, you look so serene, far too pretty, much too clean.
We might think we know you well, but what stories would you tell?
Of all the dirt and dust and shame, every burning labor pain,
And as I turn to walk away, I hear you say?
I am real.
Don't turn me into memory or myth.
Let me be real. Real.
And I'll show you what it means to love like this.
To be real.
Shepherds bending to the ground, Bethlehem is safe and sound.
Joseph, you look brave and true, but do we know what it was like to be you?
How many sleepless nights awake found you desperate and afraid?
And as I turn to walk away, I hear you say?
I am real.
Don't turn me into memory or myth.
Let me be real.
And I'll show you what it means to love like this.
To love like you don't even care about the hurry and the hussle,
Like you are unaware December comes with so much trouble
Cause you believe a baby came not in paintings or in plains
But every minute, every hour, every day.
To be real,
Real
You are real, real
Show us what it means to love like this.
To be real
To be real
More than a memory,
More than a story.
Real.
Video
Nichole Nordeman - Real (Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Nichole Nordeman's "Real," featured on her 2007 compilation album *Recollection*, is a profound and moving anthem that strips away the idealized trappings often associated with the Nativity story to reveal its raw, human heart. The song masterfully confronts the tendency to relegate the Christmas narrative to mere picturesque imagery or distant legend, urging listeners instead to embrace the radical truth of its incarnational reality. Nordeman doesn't shy away from questioning the conventional portrayals of Mary and Joseph, suggesting that our sanitized versions miss the profound depth of their experience. She challenges the serene, "too pretty, much too clean" depiction of Mary, hinting at the unspoken hardships, the physical pain of childbirth, and the immense emotional weight of carrying the Son of God, echoing the labor pains Jesus himself would later experience and the suffering he would endure. Similarly, she probes the quiet strength of Joseph, acknowledging the potential for sleepless nights and profound fear that must have accompanied his unique role as earthly protector, a situation not unlike Abraham's faith-filled obedience in Genesis 12, where he was called to leave his home with an unknown future. The central plea of the song, "I am real. Don't turn me into memory or myth. Let me be real," is a direct call to confront the tangible, lived experience of God entering human history. This isn't about a distant, abstract deity, but about God made flesh, experiencing the full spectrum of human life. This echoes the theological assertion in John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us," emphasizing the tangible presence and intimate connection God established through Jesus. The song's assertion that Jesus will "show you what it means to love like this" points to a love that transcends superficiality and worldly concerns, a love that is deeply rooted and actively present, much like the love God demonstrated by sending his Son as described in John 3:16. Nordeman's lyrical vision expands this to a broader understanding of "real" love—a love that disregards temporal pressures and societal expectations, focusing instead on an unwavering belief in the profound significance of God's presence, not as a fleeting event, but as an ongoing reality woven into the fabric of every moment. This resonates with the concept of God's faithfulness, as detailed in Lamentations 3:22-23, which speaks of his mercies being new every morning. Ultimately, "Real" is an inspiring invitation to move beyond passive observation and engage with the audacious truth of the Incarnation, recognizing Jesus not just as a historical figure or a beloved story, but as a living, breathing reality who calls us to a similarly authentic and transformative love.