The Rebel Jesus

I first heard of Bebo Norman when I was at camp in High School.  I fell in love with his music and the emotion/ meaning behind it.  I recently purchased his Christmas album:  Christmas- From the Realms of Glory.  It is quite good and there is one song, 'The Rebel Jesus' that is particularly good.  The Lyrics are below.


The Rebel Jesus
All the streets are filled with laughter and light
and the music of the season
and the merchant's windows are all bright
with the faces of the children
and the families hurry into their homes
as the sky darkens and freezes
We'll be gathering around our hearths and tables
Giving thanks for God's graces
and the birth of the rebel Jesus


Well they call him by the Prince of Peace
and they call him by the Savior
and they pray to Him upon the seats
and in every bold endeavor
and they fill His churches with their pride and gold 
as their faith in Him increases
but they've turned the nature that I worship in 
from a temple to a robber's den
in the words of the rebel Jesus 


We guard our world with locks and guns
and we guard our fine possessions
and once a year when christmas comes 
we give to our relations
and perhaps we give a little to the poor
if the generosity should seize us 
but if anyone of us should interfere 
in the business of why there are poor
we'll get the same as the rebel Jesus


But pardon me if I have seemed
to take the tone of judgment
for I've no wish to come between
this day and your enjoyment
in a life of hardship
and of earthly toil
there's a need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer
from a heathen and a pagan
on the side of the rebel Jesus