Christmas Carol - Day 19

The Forgotten Carols - as I've mentioned before - are some of my favorite Christmas songs.

Michael McLean has had a long tradition in LDS circles with regard to Christmas. He directed the classic - Mr. Kruger's Christmas, starring James Stewart. Stewart plays Mr. Kruger, who is a lonely, elderly building custodian who dreams of the grandeur of Christmas he will unfortunately not be able to experience alone. But in a special vision, he is able to visit the manger where Christ was born and realize that he is never really alone. Christ is his best and finest Friend, and that he can hold his head high everywhere he goes because of that.

Watching Ben Hur, and thinking on that scene from Mr. Kruger's Christmas, I have often considered what it must have been like that sacred night. Brother McLean obviously has, also. One of the minor characters is the innkeeper, who is faithfully represented in almost every nativity scene as being a kind of villain. But I like this rendering because it makes him seem more real, more complex...

And the message is wonderful - Let Him in... Let Him in...

Lyrics

I am the man forgotten,
No one recalls my name,
Thousands of years will fade too,
Fully erase my shame,

But I turned a profit nicely that day,
But I turned a couple away,
I turned them away,

I didn't sleep that evening,
Though I'd sold out my place,
Somehow I've felt uneasy,
Something about her face,
Why did I wish that I'd let them stay,
I don't think they could have paid,
Or could they have paid,

Restless I left my bedroom,
I walked the streets all night,
Lost in the world I lived in,
Found by a Heavenly Light,
Staring of ones bright star in the sky
I heard a baby cry,

And I knew where that cry had come from,
Cause I told them where they could go,
But I didn't think I could face them,

So I walked slowly home,
Missing my chance to share in their joy,
I never saw the boy

He never would condemn me,
I did that all on my own,
He offered His forgiveness,
And ever since then I've known,
He let's us choose each hour of each day,

If we'll let Him in to stay,
Let Him in, Let Him in,
Let the joy and the hope begin,
Let Him in, Let Him in,

Let the peace on earth begin,
And whether be in your world today,
Or a crowded Bethlehem Inn,
Find a way, make Him room,

Let Him in, Let Him in,
Let the peace on earth begin,
Let Him in, Let Him in,
Let the joy and hope begin,

Let Him in, Let Him in,
Let Him in, Let Him in.