Lyrics
Verse 1
Under my tree there are presents there for me
Big and small, there are some I cannot wait to see
But there is one so much greater than them all
I'm praying this December, this gift I will receive
Chorus
It's Your presence Lord, this is what I long for
It's Your love and peace living here in me
Of all the precious gifts I'm hoping to receive
It's the gift of Your sweet presence that means the most to me
Verse 2
I love the lights and seeing candles in the night
Parties and friends and singing carols by the fire
But there's only one thing that can meet my deepest need
I'm praying this December, this gift I will receive
Bridge
Mercy, kindness, perfect peace
Joy and gladness when You're here with me
Vamp
It's Your perfect peace, it's Your still small voice
It's Your healing touch and joy so free
That's what I want that's what I need
(Repeat)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This Christmas song sets the presents under a tree beside a different longing. The first verse names gifts big and small, then says one is "so much greater than them all," and the chorus identifies it: God's presence, love and peace living within the singer. The second verse lists lights, candles, parties and carols by the fire, then says only one thing can meet the "deepest need."
The bridge and vamp spell out what the presence brings: mercy, kindness, perfect peace, joy and gladness, a still small voice and a healing touch. The repeated line "That's what I want that's what I need" closes the song as a simple prayer.
The theme matches the Christmas idea of Emmanuel, God with humanity, in Matthew 1:23, and the "still small voice" phrase comes from the account of Elijah in First Kings 19. Both connections are offered as likely echoes. The song suits an Advent or December setting because it places the gift of God's presence above the usual trappings.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 1:23 The child is called Emmanuel, meaning God with us.
- 1 Kings 19:12 Elijah meets God in a still small voice.
- Isaiah 26:3 God keeps in perfect peace the one whose mind is fixed on Him.