Matthew West, “The Heart of Christmas”
Here’s the truth: I will probably never stop singing the praises of God, Jesus, and Matthew West, in that order. LOL The American singer-songwriter, who is responsible for some of recent Contemporary Christian music’s most outstanding songs, including the recent #1 Courageous by Casting Crowns and his own #1 hits You Are Everything and The Motions, has released The Heart of Christmas, off his full-length Christmas CD of the same time.
Matthew’s previous Christmas single, One Last Christmas, told the story of the Lockes, whose son, Dax, fought a brave battle with leukemia. The Lockes’ amazing story was made into a GMC television movie, which airs this Christmas Eve in the United States. The song The Heart of Christmas is inspired by the Lockes’ story, and overflows with hope and inspiration. The CD itself is jampacked with hits – previous radio smashes Christmas Makes Me Cry (with Mandisa), Give This Christmas Away (with Amy Grant), the aforementioned One Last Christmas, and now this surefire Top 10 hit, The Heart of Christmas. This is one Christmas CD I cannot afford not to have, and you would do best to pick one up too.
I’ve said this before: Matthew West is one of CCM’s most prolific, anointed, inspired storytellers, and The Heart of Christmas underscores his talent and passion for finding the right story, sensitively selecting the lesson or essence in it, using the right words, and crafting the perfect melody. It’s a rare gift, and I am so blessed that God’s Name is being glorified as Matthew uses it for his Savior’s fame. Once again, Matthew, you have done it, oh, you’ve done it.
THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS Lyrics
Matthew West
I’m gonna make a wish this Christmas
I’m gonna say a little prayer
I’m gonna stop here for a moment
Before the moment disappears
The world’s in a hurry this December
City streets and shopping malls
I wish we could slow down and remember
The meaning of it all
Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas
Let’s make it feel the way it used to
Let’s find that wonder of a child
You can see the magic all around you
Come on, and open up your eyes
You can find it in the warm embrace of your family
Or calling up a long lost friend
You can even find it in the eyes of stranger
When you reach out a helping hand
Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas
In the shadow of a steeple
In a star that lights the way
You will find Him in a manger
The heart of Christmas has a name
I’m gonna make a wish this Christmas
I’m gonna say a little prayer
Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can and cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas
