Secret Of Giving

(rick bowles)

2,000 years ago, three wise men left their home
When an angel of the lord
Said, "seek the savior born"
Logic told them they were crazy
They shouldn't even try
The followed their hearts, they followed that star
This christmas, let me be that wise

2,000 years ago, mary left her home
An angel said, "have faith"
The lord will light your way
The road was long and winding
But a promise had been made
From heaven above, that was enough
This christmas, let me keep that faith

This christmas, let this be the season
Of peace and love, joy and true believing
2,000 years ago, as everybody knows
A perfect baby lay
Asleep there in the hay
The world would not believe him
But he loved them all so much
On that first night, he was the light
This christmas, let me feel that love

Keep that faith, be that wise, feel that love
This christmas

(helen darling, peggy newman)

My little boy was a wise man this year
His christmas play was something i couldn't miss
Between the shopping and my job i barely got there
My faith was worn from stress and strain
Until those little

Chorus:
Angels sang (hallelujah)
To the king (people rejoice)
He brought peace and joy to all the world
When he came
And the angels sang (hallelujah)
And they sang (people rejoice)

And as i watched those innocent children
I felt the greatness of that holy night
And for a moment i was right there with those wise men
So overwhelmed with love and light i had to cry when the

Repeat chorus twice

(rick bowles, sunny russ)

In this life we all go through hard times
When we struggle and pray for a lifeline
Just needing someone
To show us the way

To you the glass might seem half empty
But it's half full to those without any
So hold on to hope
And try to have faith
Oh, you've got to have faith

Chorus:
If there's just one secret to living
Whoever you are
It's learning the meaning of giving
With an open heart/with an open heart

If you offer the best part of yourself
Even when you don't have anything else
Honest and true
It'll come back to you
Love comes back to you

Repeat chorus

Bridge:
With your arms wide open
The world opens wide
And you'll believe it deep inside

That there's just one secret to living
Whoever you are
It's finding that true joy in giving
With an open heart/with an open heart

(roxie dean, sonny tillis)

He was always santa claus to them
Every year he'd magically appear here in our den
They would laugh and tease and say you look a lot like dad
He'd just smile and ask, "have you been good or bad?"

Oh, but life ain't always like a holiday
Some things change, and sometimes people go their seperate ways
He just called and said he'd like to be here for the kids
Wish them merry christmas when they open up their gifts
And even though it might be hard on me
How can i let them down?
So santa claus is coming back to town

Here it is christmas eve - the kids are sleeping
Lights flashing in the trees - i keep thinking
Tomorrow i'll see him, tomorrow i'll see him

I guess i ought to try to go to bed
I can't rehearse tomorrow any longer in my head
He'll walk in so nonchalant, as if he'd never gone
They'll be glad to see him, i'll be barely hanging on
And just like that he'll go and turn my whole world upside down
Santa claus is coming back to town

No it's never really easy when this time of year rolls around
'cause santa claus is coming back to town

(john barlow jarvis, randy goodrum)

Come and gather 'round at the table
In the spirit of family and friends
And we'll all join hands and remember this moment
'til the season comes 'round again

So let us smile for the picture
And we'll hold it as long as we can
May it carry us through should we ever get lonely
'til the season comes 'round again

Bridge:
One night, holy and bright
Shining with love from our hearts
By a warm fire let's life our hands high
And be thankful were here 'til this time next year

May the new year be blessed with good tidings
'til the next time i see you again
If we must say goodbye let the spirit go with you
'til the season comes 'round again

Repeat bridge

May this new year be blessed with good tidings
'til the next time i see you again
We'll all join hands and remember this moment
And we'll love and we'll laugh in the time that we have
'til the season comes 'round again