I Love Words, he says

By Mike Glenn

Photo by Ch Photography on Unsplash

One of the greatest songs ever written is "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers. The song won a Grammy in 1972 and has been covered by numerous other artists. Nobody, of course, sings it like Bill Withers. The song is about the unspeakable heartbreak that happens when someone is separated from the one they love. The lonely world becomes so dark and cold it was like the sun wasn't shining. You can feel the heartache in the words.

And he does it all in three words.

I love words. I spent most of my life dealing with words. I've spent a lot of time studying words. I love studying writers -- poets, novelists, songwriters, and essayists -- and how they use words. What words do they choose? What words do they leave out? How do the words make you feel? What do the words make you want to do? All of this and more is in the power of words.

Withers' understanding of the power of words, the right words in the right place and ONLY the right words -- but no more -- is why I love this song. Withers cuts us to our emotional core. The song makes us ache with loneliness. And he does it all with three words.

Pastors feel a lot of pressure during the Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter. Our assumption is everyone has heard the Christmas story before, and our congregations won't pay attention if we don't come up with some new angle or clever insight. Truth is, most of our congregations haven't heard it. Sure, they've heard about shepherds and angels, wise men and Mary -- but they haven't heard the news that God Himself is here in Christ.

Would people still act the way they act if they knew God had come in human form on this Christmas morning?

How many addicts would be free if they really knew God was that close?

How many angry people would lay down their anger if they knew God was that close?

How many people would find the courage they needed for this day's challenges if they knew?

How many people who have lost their way would find their way home if they understood the good news of Christmas isn't that we can get to God, but that in Christ, God has come to us?

To my pastor friends, I offer this word of encouragement and hope. Relax. This is still the greatest news the world has ever heard and though it may surprise you, most of your congregation still hasn't heard it. We don't have to jazz it up. We don't have to be creative. We just have to be clear. We just have to let the words do their work.

And like a great songwriter, God knows how to use words. He carefully chooses them and uses them and just them, no more, in announcing His Christmas miracle. And He uses just three words.

Christ is born.

That's it. Three words. Three words that change -- and continue to change -- everything. We don't need to add anything to them. Three words are enough.

Christ is born.

Merry Christmas.