Woman:Joy to the world
Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing
Toby:Now Johny never got his wish on December 25
That's what he said when we left the orphanage
9 years old, but Johny was an old soul
Gonna spend his first Christmas in a real home
Showed me a picture that he drew the night before
Was a picture of a man standing outside a door
I asked him who it was and he said someone I only
See in dreams
Comforts me when I cry myself to sleep
Woman:Father of the fatherless
Be with your sons and daughters this Christmas
This Christmas
Toby:Believe in angels?
Johny asked me starin' at the sky
I said I do and saw a sparkle in his eye
Big brother for the weekend respondin' to the season
Took the chance that givin's better than recievin'
Two nights, a new family, some holiday cheer
We laughed and sang
Came on a midnight clear
We gave, recieved, and as we headed to a close
We looked to the Heavens and it started to snow down blessings
Woman:Father of the fatherless
Be with your sons and daughters this Christmas
(Toby: You ain't livin' til you choose to give love and joy and peace to one of His)
Father let us not forget
The children who are all alone this Christmas
(Toby:You ain't livin' til you choose to give, you ain't livin' til you choose to give)
Little boy:Religion that God our Father Accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in the distress
Merry Christmas Everyone
Woman:Joy to the world
The Lord is come
Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing
Toby:Believe in angels Johny asked me starin' at the sky
I said I do and saw a sparkle in his I
9 years old, but Johny was an old soul
Gonna spend his next Christmas in a real home
(Repeat toby and woman's chorus line)
Toby:You ain't livin'
You ain't livin'
You ain't livin'
Woman:Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing
(Toby:You ain't livin' til you choose to give, you ain't livin' til you choose to give)
Don't leave me all alone
This Christmas
Little Boy:Merry Christmas everyone!
This Christmas
This Christmas Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
TobyMac's song "This Christmas," released with an accompanying video on December 1, 2021, offers a heartfelt reflection on the true spirit of the holiday season, shifting the focus from material desires to compassionate action. The narrative centers on an encounter with a young boy named Johny from an orphanage. Though only nine years old, Johny is portrayed as an "old soul," carrying the weight of his experiences but holding onto hope for a loving home. The lyrics paint a poignant picture of his first Christmas spent outside the orphanage, highlighting his simple wish and his connection to a comforting figure he sees only in dreams, suggesting a longing for a paternal presence or a divine guardian.
The song weaves together this personal story with broader themes of faith and charity. A significant element is the recurring vocal by a female singer, who offers prayers and reflections, particularly focusing on the "Father of the fatherless," asking for divine presence with vulnerable children during Christmas. These parts serve as a universal prayer for those who are alone or in distress during a time often centered around family and belonging. TobyMac's verses explore the act of giving and experiencing the season from a different perspective, noting the joy found in responding to the call to care for others.
A powerful moment in the song comes with the inclusion of a scripture reference, voiced by a child. This line, "Religion that God our Father Accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress," directly quotes James 1:27. This inclusion grounds the song's message firmly in biblical teaching, identifying compassionate care for the most vulnerable as a core expression of genuine faith. It reinforces the song's central argument that the true measure of living is found not in receiving, but in choosing to give love, joy, and peace to others, echoing the sentiment "You ain't livin' til you choose to give."
The song uses contrasting vocal parts – the conversational storytelling by TobyMac, the prayerful and traditional carol-like lines from the female vocalist (including lines from "Joy to the World"), and the direct scriptural quote delivered by a child – to create a rich tapestry of meaning. The emotional depth is further enhanced by references to simple moments like laughing, singing "Came on a midnight clear," and experiencing what feels like "blessings" snowing down. The recurring question from Johny, "Believe in angels?" and the repeated affirmation "I said I do" underscore the theme of hope and unseen comfort, suggesting that divine care is present even in difficult circumstances.
Ultimately, "This Christmas" serves as both a touching story and a powerful call to action. It reminds listeners of those often overlooked during the holiday season and challenges the conventional focus on gift-giving by highlighting the profound joy and spiritual fulfillment found in acts of service and compassion. The song suggests that embodying the Christmas spirit means actively choosing to look after those in need, reflecting the love and nature that the traditional carols call heaven and nature to sing about, thereby truly experiencing what it means to live.
