December 23, 2011
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The Bing Crosby Effect
Alex Crain, Christianity.com Editor
“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”
Hebrews 13:14
A lot of singers have tried their hand at recording the 1943 song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” But none I’ve ever heard comes close to capturing the mood of melancholy and longing of Bing Crosby’s classic rendition. Just about every time that version is played, it conjures images of weary soldiers during WWII listening spellbound as they thought of being back home.
I'll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents on the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me, where the love light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.
Crosby's voice captured the emotion of the war. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" stayed at the top of the charts for 11 weeks after its initial release. Ephesians 6:10 along with other Scriptures tell us that believers are soldiers engaged in war. Yes, it’s wonderful to know that we are on the winning side, but deep within us there is still a longing that nothing can suppress. We want to be home.
This Christmas, you may be surrounded with family and presents, or you may be alone and going through difficult times, or you may experience some mixture of both. Whatever the case, rather than go looking for something to fulfill our souls on the battlefield, let’s just stop and be silent like those WWII soldiers did.
For me, Hebrews 13:14 has the Bing Crosby effect of stopping me in my tracks and helping me to see more clearly that it’s a losing battle to pursue lasting satisfaction in this life. The words “Here we have no lasting city” drive me to only source of contentment: the promise that Christ is always with me (Matthew 28:20) and that He’s bringing me home to a place where love and laughter never end.
Intersecting Faith and Life
“Things won't always take a better turn on an Earth under the curse. Sickness, loss, grief, and death will find us. Just as our reward will come in Heaven, laughter (itself one of our rewards) will come in Heaven.”
– randy alcorn
Further Reading
the christmas bible reading plan
heaven: home of laughter
