A few days after Christmas I heard a song on the radio. I didn’t know what it was, but the chorus stuck in my head throughout the day. When I got home I discovered that the song was Anchor by Birds of Tokyo from Anchor EP (2015). The reason it stuck in my head, was because it struck a chord with my inner turmoil on Christmas.

My Christmas was spent mainly at the dining room table. I received presents, laughed, and ate with my family. Many would say it was a good Christmas. But I didn’t like it. I wasn’t peaceful, inside I was full of questions, conflict and contemplation.

All I could think about were others. My family were enjoying themselves, we had plenty of food, the presents were plentiful, but we are lucky. What about everyone else on Christmas? There are so many that suffer, that go without and receive no presents. They were on my mind on Christmas Day. They have nothing, yet we ignore them.

It wasn’t just those who have nothing, but those who have lost someone. They were also weighing on my heart. And it’s because I know what they go through.

A few years ago, my dog of 13 years died two days before Christmas. That Christmas I didn’t eat, I didn’t celebrate, I didn’t do anything, I just sat on my bed and cried. For me Christmas is no longer a time of celebration, but a constant reminder of him. For many others it’s similar. Christmas is a time for family, however it’s often those family members not there who have the biggest impact.

Anchor doesn’t speak of my turmoil on Christmas, but the vocals are hauntingly beautiful, the lyrics remind me to reach out and the mellow music conveys my inner turmoil.

I never thought to hold you,
I never thought that you might need an anchor,
I never thought I’d lose you,
I never thought that you might need an anchor.

Christmas is very focused on us, but we need to reach out to others. Our friends who need some encouragement, elders who need some company, and strangers who need to be welcomed.

We don’t say, what we should say,
We get lost beyond the answer we find loneliness,
We pretend but in the end,
We get lost beyond the answer we find loneliness.

It only takes a kind word to reach out to someone in need this holiday season.

The last thing I need to mention is Christ. He is the reason for the season, but even in my own family I felt He was ignored as we got carried away with presents and food. Has the Christmas story lost its power? We’ve heard it so much but do we really understand how important it is, how it was planned before time, and is the evidence of a God that loves us all? It should leave us in awe! But do we really think about it?

Anchor – Birds of Tokyo