I think wrapping paper might be the answer.

I mean just look at everyone else with their perfect bodies

and immaculate style.

Their clean little coats and their cute little smiles.

What hope have I got to ever impress?

Compared to them my life is a mess.

But if I was wrapped up, then noone could see

the rips and the cracks and the screw-up that’s me.

The paper would cover all my faults and my flaws

I’d look just the same as others because

I would be shiny, attractive, exciting.

People would see me as something inviting.

If you ask what I wish for this Christmas tide

here is my answer: I just want to hide.

Now that it has happened you would think I’d be cheerful.

But here is the thing I’m actually more fearful.

I know it sounds weird, but now that I’m covered,

I’m scared of the moment when I’m truly discovered.

I know it can’t last, this is not the real me.

I’m dreading the moment whenI’m actually seen.

What will they think?

What will they say?

Disappointment? Disgust as they throw me away?

This is it. Here we go.

My heart is racing.

Nowhere to hide now. What am I facing?

The paper is ripped and thrown to one side

Everything’s bright as the light hits my eye.

But wait, what is this?

Can this really be true?

You’re seeing me and I’m seeing you.

With hands that are caring and eyes that are kind

you pick me up and love what you find?

That cannot be because of my beauty.

It must be because of what you will do with me.

You bind up my wounds and you clean up my paws, and now I am loved,

but not because I am so perfect, so clean and so great.

But because you saw me and you did not hate.

But loved me, restored me, you made me clean.

Now this is real freedom: to be truly seen.

What could be better for Christmas this year?

A Prince of Peace who scatters our fear?

Yes, God is the maker, but we hide from Him.

Here is our problem: it’s what is called sin.

It leads to a mess so we wrap ourselves up.

We fear being seen, but that doesn’t stop God from

coming to find us, sending his Son.

He so loves this world

that Jesus has come.

He loves us, restores us, he makes us clean.

This Christmas find freedom.

This Christmas be seen.

Can you find the English version of these translated phrases in the lyrics?

1.  ha be lennék csomagolva

2. pont ugyanúgy néznék ki, mint mások

3. mit kívánok erre a karácsonyi időszakra

4. csak el akarok bújni

5. félek a pillanattól

6. Ez tényleg igaz lehet?

7. megtisztítottál

8. félünk, hogy meglátják, kik is vagyunk valójában

9. úgy szereti a világot

10. találd meg a szabadságot idén karácsonykor

Key

1. if I was wrapped up

2. I’d look just the same as others

3. what I wish for this Christmas tide

4. I just want to hide

5. I’m scared of the moment

6. Can this really be true?

7. you made me clean

8. we fear being seen

9. He so loves this world

10. this Christmas find freedom

On a snowy winter’s night.

And it didn’t take me long to see

That something wasn’t right.

They called her Christmas Carol,

Said her mind was nearly gone,

But she could still light up the room

When she sang a Christmas song.

Seems no one knows the story

To explain her Christmas cheer.

Why, she keeps the decorations up

All through the year.

And though she long ago

Forgot the names of family and friends,

When it comes to singing Christmas songs,

She’s like a child again.

[CHORUS:]

Sing, oh sing, Christmas Carol,

Sing with all of your might!

Sing Joy to the World,

Sing O Holy Night!

You’re closer now to Jesus

Than you’ve ever been;

Sing, oh sing, Christmas Carol,

Sing your songs to Him.

I’d told my son about her,

So I thought I’d take him by.

And he was so amazed at all

The tinsel and the lights.

She laughed and told her stories

Of her Christmas memories,

But nothing told it better than

When she began to sing.

[CHORUS]

Last time that I saw her,

She didn’t recognize me.

Her hair was thin and she was frail,

And she couldn’t even speak.

But I could sit down next to her,

Sing her favorite Christmas songs,

And somehow, God only knows how,

She could still sing right along!

Can you answer the questions?

1. Why was the old lady called Christmas Carol?

2. What was the problem with the old lady?

3. What was her house like?

4. What did she forget long ago?

5. What didn’t she forget?

6. What could she still do even if she couldn’t speak?

Key

1. Because she knew a lot of Christmas songs and liked to sing them all year long.

2. She was old and frail and her mind was nearly gone.

3. It was Christmassy. She kept the Christmas decorations up all through the year.

4. The names of family and friends.

5. She didn’t forget her Christmas songs.

6. God only knows how but she could still sing Christmas songs.

And there I stood in another line

Trying to buy that last gift or two

Not really in the Christmas mood

And standing right in front of me was a

Little boy waiting anxiously

Pacing around like little boys do

And in his hands he held

A pair of shoes

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 pennies 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.”

[Repeat Chorus]

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

[Repeat Chorus with children]

[Little girl:]

I want her to look beautiful if mama meets Jesus tonight

Here are a few words or expressions from the lyrics? What’s the opposite of them?

1. right in front of me

2. pacing

3. worn

4. dirty

5. sick

6. frantically

7. forget

Key

1. right behind me

2. standing

3. new, brand new

4. clean

5. healthy

6. calmly

7. remember