Noel No Hell

Today (Saturday) was a day of connecting. We went as a family to the monthly café connections at Genesis, a ministry building of Trinity International Church of Paris. They had some tasty hot cider, clementines, pains au chocolat, croissants, etc. The table was nicely arranged and the atmosphere was warm. There was another family with 2 kids (Joshua & Jessica) there who were less than a year older than our older two. They hit it off nicely and ended up playing together in the basement of the center. My wife got to talk with their mother Tracy. I learned that the interim pastor's wife is from New Jersey and that I knew her sister and nephew. I met a Canadian engineer named John, who with his wife help organize the café connections, as well as a Korean young woman whom I discovered attended law school at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.

After returning home for a brief nap, we went to the home of David & Wendy. We met them 2 weeks ago and will be watching their dog while they spend the Christmas holidays in Manhattan. Their kids Joshua, Hannah, and Abigail are older than our kids and hit it off well with ours.

Over the years, I've gotten heavily into the "business" aspect of "church." I still believe that churches need to be mission driven in order to not just become country clubs. However, I was reminded today of the importance of having fun together in unrushed and non-ministry driven fashion. Their needs to be some "fun" and relational enjoyment built into the overall program.

I was discouraged after the Christmas program at my daughters' school yesterday, as it seemed completely "pagan" in terms of leaving out Jesus.

However, I was strongly encouraged today to listen to the song "Noël No Hell," then to watch the video of it. It was produced by Pastor Gilles, a talented young French pastor in Paris with artistic gifts and who has been a helpful supporter of our arts ministry. The quality of the lyrics, music, and video are very good. It helps one return to the true meaning of Christmas, something that France desparately needs. Below is the English translation.

Look towards the heavens,
The snow-covered hills.
See how beautiful they are ;
Winter hasn’t changed.
See that star
Guiding the shepherds
When clouds start to roll in
And cover the sky.

These are delightful days
White flakes
Falling from the sky
These are happy days
For children,
So this is Christmas?

Christmas, you’re finally here!
Yes, we’ve been waiting for you!
So long-awaited, yet unexpected
Christmas, you’re finally here!

Brother, they want you for your money
You dream while you sleep,
But you’ll wake up more than shattered!
Forced smiles, Christmas, it’s crazy
A big hoax to rob you blind!
The big fat guy with a white beard dressed in red
Walks the talk,
Who everyday devises
A plan to take everything you got
Til you got nothing left. Oh my word!
Watch out, man, for your kids

It’s never-ending:
They’ve cloned him by the millions anyways
With his plastic beard
And his fake laughter
The con-job of the century,
Man, I tell you, it’s huge!
And this is Christmas! Whatever.

Days for dreaming,
Complete happiness
Life is beautiful.
Days for loving
Those who love us.
So this is Christmas?

Christmas, you’re finally here!
Yes, we’ve been waiting for you!
So long-awaited, yet unexpected
Christmas, you’re finally here!

Too many crowds, too many bags
Too much stuff, it’s such a mess
Too much stress, too many fools
Too many toys, too much of everything!
The “super” supermarkets
Have ignited their lights.
This is Hell, meant to make you pay!
Brother, you gotta buy it all!
So this is Christmas?
It feels more like I’ve been swindled!

Noel, no hell! No more hell! No more hell!
Noel, no hell! No more hell! No more hell!
Noel, no hell! No more hell!

Hell is over, what great news!
Hell is over, spread the good news!

God sleeps on the ground, just like you
He too has no roof over his head
In Excelsis Deo, Gloria
Peace on earth to all men
To women, salam, peace, shalom

Is it the end of plastic guns for our little boys
For our little girls, the end of a life of seduction?

This is the Christmas I love
The baby born in Bethlehem

Christmas, you’re finally here!
Yes, we’ve been waiting for you!
So long-awaited, yet unexpected
Christmas, you’re finally here!

Sickened by reality,
Oh my word! I understand
That the stable in Bethlehem
Is now in our streets, in a way.
I’m a real human
So if you can hear me God,
If you’re ever in the neighborhood
Yes, you that we love to idealize
I’ve got a lot of things to share with you :
In the stable of my heart,
You may always come and rest…

Noel, no hell, no more hell!