Cowboy Christmas

Sing “Go Tell it on the Mountain"

Howdy folks and welcome to

a Cowboy Christmas.

This is a story about love between a

fellow and a gal. It's a story about

some sheep herders and a bunch of

angels.

But most importantly it's

about a baby boy.

A baby by the name of Jesus.

Now you don't have to be too bright to figure out that the Christmas we got

today ain’t like the first one.

And to tell you the truth, the way we

celebrate it probably ain’t the way God

intended it.

We go through such a fuss and get in

such a hurry.

By the time Christmas day gets here, we're more nervous than a

cooped up coon dog on a full moon

Friday.

Well, some of us can remember when

things were a little more simple.

We remember when life wasn't so fast

paced, and we longed for the Christmas of yesteryear.

Can anyone tell me where did Christmas go?

It’s not the same one I used to

know.

The lights, the glitter – it’s all so

tragic.

We’ve lost the meaning; we’ve lost the magic…

Take me back to the Christmas of

yesteryear…yesteryear

Do you remember the simple pleasures?

The joy and the laughter, the

timeless treasures?

But now it’s TV specials and advertising.

Office parties and the pressure’s

rising…

Take me back to the Christmas of

yesteryear…..yesteryear

I remember the carols we used to

sing

The peace that the season would

always bring

But now I almost dread to see it

coming

And in my mind I know I’m running…

Back to the Christmas of yesteryear….yesteryear

Interlude

Coming together around the

Christmas tree

Hearing the story of the first

Christmas Eve

I’d close my eyes and away I’d

Travel

As my Daddy opened up his

bible

I could almost hear the angels sing…hear them

sing

Take me back to the Christmas of

yesteryear.Take me back to the Christmas of

yesteryear…yesteryear

Folks we would like ya'll to think back to the first Christmas, a

Christmas about 2,000 yesteryear or

so ago.

The story of the birth of Jesus is a love story. A love

story right out of the mind and heart of

God,

and playing out in the lives of a feller named Joe and his bride to be, a cute

little filly by the name of Mary.

Now Joe was always the nervous, bashful

type, especially around the ladies.

Well he’d just as soon wrestle a

rattlesnake barehanded as he would to talk to

anything wearing a skirt.

When he did try to express himself, his thumb would swell

up like he was stung by a hornet

and he would break out in such a sweat

that you’d think he’d just come in out of a

rainstorm.

So Joe concentrated mainly on his work.

Oh he could make a saw and a hammer sing. He was known for miles around as the carpenter who could change wood

into wonder.

He built all kinds of things. Everything from rocking chairs

to ranch houses, from wooden benches to windmills.

Yes sir, that man loved his work; he

loved his work more than anything. That

is to say until he met Mary.

She had skin creamier than a pan

filled with buttermilk, and a

smile that sparkled like a sunbeam.

He first laid his eyes on her at a barn

raising, where Mary and her mom were fixing a hardy meal

of Bar B Q and baked beans for all the hard workers.

After dinner, she sort of scurried up to him, fetching him a slab of pecan pie

that was big enough for three men.

Well folks, it was a little too sweet for

Joe's usual like of it, but he didn’t let on

to Mary. He polished off every bite and

just kept smiling at her.

For the rest of that afternoon, Mary just fluttered around like a restless butterfly looking for a place

to lite.

And Joe couldn't keep his mind on his

work 'cause he couldn't keep his eyes off of Mary.

Oh my, he was hooked. Folks, he was hooked like a catfish in a shaller

creek.

Well a few weeks later old Joe decided to mosey on over to Mary's folks to talk to them about him

and Mary gettin hitched.

Yes sir he wanted to get hitched to that

girl more than anything.

Well somehow Joe managed to get the

words out. Yeah, you’re right, they

gave their blessings without a problem.

Joe was a real good man. Now they was

all real happy.

They was hugging and laughing and of course, the women was a crying, just like women do at such occasions.

Oh folks, I tell ya, it was a site to see.

Mary and her mom went off to begin to plan a big wedding.

Joe began to build Mary a house and

everything began to slip like a churn full

of butter.

Until the one night in the middle of

March.

Mary had her an unexpected visitor.

But this wasn't no ordinary visitor

folks, this here was a messenger from

God himself. Yes sir, Mary was about to

be visited by an angel.

Angel: Howdy gal the Lord is with

you!

Now folks she was shocked by this. She was as scared as a newborn calf that

was just separated from his mama.

But just before she called her father to bring the shotgun, that angel spoke

again.

Angel: Don't be a feared honey.

God has picked you to do a

special chore.

You are going to give birth to a special boy,

a boy who will rule this range

and all the other ranges with a love like ain’t nobody ever seen before.

Mary: Well how can this be when I

ain’t ever let a man even touch

me.

Angel: Honey, nothings too hard for God. Why look

at Elizabeth.

She is going to have a baby after all these years. So

don't you fret. The Holy Spirit will take care of

everything.

Well Mary was still in shock for sure, but she knew that God or Yahweh would take good care of

her.

Mary: I am the Lord's servant. If in that’s what you want Lord, that all

right with me.

Well folks, make no mistakes about it,

that girl was young. She was a little

innocent and maybe a little bit simple but

she had gift.

Well needless to say she was plum full of excitement the next day when she went

to break the wonderful news to

Joe.

Of course Joe was a little bit surprised.

Mary: I AM GOING TO HAVE A BABY!

Joe: You're WHAT?

Oh folks, it didn't matter how Mary tried to explain

herself.

Joe just looked at her like she had

been grazing on loco wheat.

Folks he was hurt deep, real deep. He

keep shaking his head back and forth like an old bull that had just got bested by a young one.

He was way confused and

scared. What would everybody else

think?

What was he to do?

Mary didn’t know what to think now.

Does he even love me anymore?

(Mary)Yahweh,

He thinks I’m crazy Who can blame him?It sounds crazy to

me too

(Mary)I thought that we had a love that

could last through anything

(Mary)But tell me,

What’s a girl like me to do?

Yahweh?

(Joseph)I’ve Loved her for

so long now.

We’ve made so many plans.

(Joseph)We’d always be

together.

I just don’t understand.

(Joseph)I thought that we had a love that

could last through anything

(Joseph)But tell me,

What’s a man like me to do?

Yahweh?

(Mary) Yahweh

(Joseph) Will this hurt last her

forever?

(Mary) My heart is heavy

(Joseph) What will her friends and

parents say?

(Mary) It feels like..

(Joseph) I’ll try to keep this quiet.

(Mary) I’m losing the best part of

me.

(Joseph) I could send her far away.

(Mary and Joseph)I never thought I’d have to face such loneliness,

(Mary and Joseph)And the pain of losing the one I

love…… (Mary)Yahweh…

(Joe) Yahweh

(Mary and Joseph)Here I am, more

than a little confused.

I take my stand with you.

(Mary and Joseph)You’ve always

been my strength and my rock of

salvation,

(Mary) Your promise is at

hand.

(Joseph) I just don’t

understand.

(Mary) Yahweh….

(Mary)

Yahweh…

(Joseph)

Perhaps I’ll find another.

(Mary) I feel so lonely,

(Joseph)Though I can’t imagine where.

(Mary)But, I know that

(Joseph)This emptiness

inside me

(Mary)You won’t

abandon me

(Joseph)Is almost more than I can bare.

(Mary and Joseph)As you made a

road in the wilderness

(Mary)I know that you will make a way

for me…. Yahweh

Yahweh…. Yahweh…

I’ll trust you, Yahweh….Yahweh……

Well folks, the next morning, after

tossing and turning all night long,

Joe decided that he was going to take

Mary some place or at least send her

some place where she could get some

help.

He didn't want her to face the shame of

having a baby without a husband,

and he didn't want to hear that the

woman he loved, was touched in the

head.

We all know how small towns can

talk.

So he decided to pack her up and

send her off to the hill country to be with her cousin

Elizabeth.

As he watched the stage pull out of town he felt a lump the size of a silver dollar swell up in his throat. Oh folks he was heart

broken.

He trudged home and he picked at his

supper till it got cold. How he

dreaded spending another night

tossing and turning.

But before he knew it, he was fast

asleep. And then when he got to the deepest part of that

sleep,

like a baby with a full belly, something

incredible happened.

Something that would forever

change the lives of Joe and Mary, not to mention the lives of

you and me.

I was sleeping real heavy when

a light shot through the room.

I hid under the covers.

Man, I thought that I was doomed.

Was it something that I’d eaten?

Was I seein’ me a ghost?

Then the light spoke out, I stood up in the midst of a heavenly host.

He said Joe (Joe)Joe (Joe)

Sit down son you’d better take

this slow!

I know that it sounds crazy

I know that it sounds odd

But you my friend’ve been chosen to raise the son of God

I stared in disbelief

my jaw scraped on the floor

I covered up my ears

I didn’t want to hear no more

But the angel said Don’t be afraid,

take Mary as your wife

For the child that she is carrying is the way the truth

the life

He said Joe (Joe)

Joe (Joe)

Sit down son you’d better take

this slow!

I know that it sounds crazy

I know that it sounds odd

But you my friend’ve been chosen to raise the son of God

I shouted Hallelujah, ‘cause I was so

relieved.

I’d doubted Mary’s story

but now I could believe

And just before he left me

the angel spoke again

You call this boy child Jesus

‘cause he’ll save folks from their

sin

He said Joe (Joe)Joe (Joe)

Sit down son you’d better take

this slow!

I know that it sounds crazy

I know that it sounds odd

But you my friend’ve been chosen to raise the son of God

When I awakened from this

strange and blessed dream

I had a holy fire burning in

me, so it seemed

And with God’s reassurance I

knew that I could do

every single thing that His angel

told me to

I said I’ll go (go)I’ll go (go)

I take her as my wife Lord I will not tell you no

I don’t know why you’ve chosen us for this big job

but we will do our very best now to raise the son of

God

we will do our very best now to

raise….

the son of God

Well folks, the next morning bright and early, as soon he

could see, Joe let out for the hill country

to fetch Mary back.

He brought her home to that house that he built, and they got hitched.

The two of them settled down and the weeks passed.

Everything just finally seemed like it

was settling down for this couple.

Well, just to show that some things

never change, the government came

up with yet another way to collect more cotton picking taxes.

It seemed like the government of the territory decided that nobody was

paying their taxes proper like.

The only way they could make sure

they were getting all the money they

could get, was to make everybody go

back to their hometown and

register.

Now I know that doesn't make much

sense to you and me, but folks we are

talking about the government.

Joe didn't want to go back to his

hometown with Mary being so close to having her baby, and Mary didn't want Joe making

that trip by himself.

So the two of them decided they would try to wait it out and see if she wouldn't

have that baby before the registration deadline.

But they were running out of time.

They decided to start their journey. Joe had to go next

door to his neighbor and borrow a

donkey.

And then the two of them set out for

Bethlehem. Now it was about

time for that baby to make it’s

appearance into the world.

And there weren't nothing that they could do about it.

Walk softly, little donkey

The sunset’s beginning to dim

Walk softly, little donkey

‘till you find rest in Bethlehem

This journey’s not easy on Mary so please won’t you Carefully choose every step that you take on the

pathway

Walk softly, little donkey

Walk softly, little donkey

The dusk is beginning to fall

Walk softly, little donkey

You carry the hope of us all

The angels are guarding each

step that you take And this journey you make is the

journey of a lifetime

Walk softly, little donkey

interlude

Walk softly, little donkey

The night wind’s beginning to blow

Walk softly, little donkey

We’ve got such a long way to go.

The Spirit of God chose this mother

to be and she carries the seed

which was spoken by prophets of old

Walk softly, little donkey

Walk softly, little donkey (Repeat

and fade)

Well folks when they got to Bethlehem

they found out that the place was noisier than a county fair.

But because they waited so long to

make their journey, there weren't any

beds in Bethlehem.

Folks was a sleeping everywhere. In doorways, on

stairwells, some even on tops of

tables.

Anywhere they could find them a

place to stretch out.

Now there was one man who told Joe that there was a new owner at the hotel in town and

that he might have a room left.

So Joe and Mary made their way

down that crowded, dusty, dirty street to

the hotel where they

met the new owner.

He was a real nice fella, but he was not

much help. He didn’t have a room for them to

stay in.

I’ve been keeping this inn down in Bethlehem since

BC 26

But I’ve never seen so many of them, and I’m in

an awful fix

O Caesar Augustus is taxing

us all, and everybody’s got

to go home

To register their wives and all of their kids and

every single thing that they own

I’ve got the census takin’

blues, from my head down to my

shoes

My wife says “Come on hon

we’ll make it” But I don’t think I can

take it.

We ran out of towels three

hours ago, and we don’t have any

more room.

But the people keep comin’ so I’ve come down with the census

takin’ blues

We’ve all been pullin’ 24 hour

days

And my maid says she’s gonna

quit

She keeps on a beggin’ me for a

raise, and the bellboys have already split

I sent a couple families down to Saul’s Hotel but he says he’s out

of room too

And somebody stole all the

Gideon Scrolls and I don’t know what

I’m gonna do

I’ve got the census takin’

blues, from my head down to my

shoes

My wife says “Come on hon

we’ll make it” But I don’t think I can

take it.

We ran out of towels three

hours ago, and we don’t have any

more room.

But the people keep comin’ so I’ve come down with the census

takin’ blues

interlude

When the census is over I’m gonna

close up

Take myself a trip to the sea

Gonna drop off my family at my

mother-in-law’s

And go fishin’ in Galilee

But for now here’s a couple

expecting a child and they’re

looking for a place to stay

So they’ll have to settle for the

stable out back

And a bed that’s make out of hay

I’ve got the census takin’

blues, from my head down to my

shoes

My wife says “Come on hon

we’ll make it” But I don’t think I can

take it.

We ran out of towels three

hours ago, and we don’t have any

more room.

But the people keep comin’ so I’ve come down with the census

takin’ blues

I’ve got the census……….the

census takin’ blues

So Mary and Joe had to bed down in a

barn. Well Joe did his best to make things

comfortable for Mary.

He broke open a fresh bale of hay

and spread it out for her to lay down on.

And oh how he hoped and prayed that this would not be the night that baby would come into this world.

It would just be awful to bring the

baby into this world in such surroundings

but sure enough, Jesus decided to be born that very night.

But you know what, Joe didn't worry

about a thing. Mary did fine just fine and

after a few hours there He was.

The Savior of the world, just like God

had promised.

Oh he didn't look much like a Savior to the innkeepers

wife. She had been a part of many births

and she couldn't see anything special about this baby.

Except maybe where the baby was

born. It's not everyday where a baby is born in a stable you know.

But Mary and Joe did and after a spell, Joe took that little fella

and wrapped him up in a blanket.

A lot of ya'll know how proud a new

papa can be. Oh he wanted to run out in the street shouting

Hallelujah to everybody that he saw, but he didn't.

Now Joe wasn't the only proud papa that

night. There was another one that

was just as proud.

After all, Jesus was God’s son. He

wanted to boast and brag on Jesus too.

Just out of town about a mile or two, on a hillside, there

were dying embers of a camp fire,

where a group a sheep herders were getting ready to bed down for the night.

Now sheep herders weren't much cared for on ranch land. Not in those days

anyway.

But that is where God did His

bragging. He told those sheep herders about His wonderful

son.

So some people would think it was kind of strange that God

would choose to reveal the birth of His son to

a group of sheep herders before He did

anybody else.

But then again most folks would find it

kind of strange that God would let His

one and only son be born in a stable, too.

Angels, Angels, Angels

Late one night on the edge of town

A group of men sat huddled round

The fire and the conversation long

since gone

One boy drifted off to sleep

Took one more glance down

toward the sheep

Just a few more hours till the

dawn

But all at once a light cut through

the darkness The shepherds shook in wonder

and in fear

But little did they know their fear would soon be changed to joy

With the glorious words they soon would hear……

from the

Angels, Angels, Angels

Behold, I have good news to

share

The angels said to the shepherds

there

The Savior’s born in Bethlehem

tonight

And this will be a sign to ya’ll

You’ll find the Christ in a cattle

stall Lying in a feed trough wrapped

up tight

The shepherds watched the sky

grow even brighter

A mighty choir of angels joined

right in.

They sang glory to God in the highest

Peace on the earth to all men

Angels, Angels, Angels

Interlude

Angels, Angels, Angels

The shepherds left their flocks

behind

They ran to town in record time

They searched each barn and

stable one by one

They found him just as it was told

And shared the news with the young and old

They told the world that they had found God’s

Son

They couldn’t keep their joy

locked up inside them

They sang the song the angels taught to them

They sang glory to God in the highest

Peace on the earth to all men

They couldn’t keep their joy

locked up inside them

They sang the song the angels taught to them

They sang glory to God in the highest

Peace on the earth to all men

Angels, Angels, Angels

The sheep herders came just as fast as

they could to see the baby.

Mary began to wonder to herself if those sheep herders really understand all they had heard and all they had seen.

And then she began to wonder if she

really understood it herself. Folks, does anybody? Do you?

Did the shepherds know when they

saw this babe

Was there any way that they

could understand

That this infant child in this

manger

Had come to pay sin’s price for

every man

Did they know He’d walk on

water

Did they know that He would

feed 5,000 men

Did they know He’d heal the lame ones?

That He’d touch the blind and

make them see again?

Did the shepherds know when they

saw this babe

Was there any way that they

could understand

That this infant child in this

manger

Had come to pay sin’s price for

every man

Did they know He was the Savior

That He’d hang upon a cross at

Calvary

Did they know He’d be raised from the dead.

That He’ll come again to reign in

majesty?

Oh, won’t you look again you

precious shepherds.

Come join the angels.

Sing unto the Lord.

For here at last is our Salvation

Here is Jesus Christ the Living

Word

Oh, won’t you look again you

precious shepherds.

Come join the angels.

Sing unto the Lord.

For here at last is our Salvation.

Here is Jesus Christ the Living

Word

Did the shepherds know when they

saw this babe

Was there any way that they

could understand

That this infant child in this

manger

Had come to pay sin’s price for

every man

Did the shepherds know?

Do you know how special He is?

In our world today, we stay so busy with the rush of what this

world has made Christmas to be.

The gifts, the parties, the rush….

Sing “Silent Night!”