Each year I enjoy hearing these lyrics: they’re romantic and sentimental. I also enjoy listening to the meaning of words. Here are the lyrics to Winter Wonderland, one of the most favorite songs this time of the year. Read them slowly and carefully – see you at the end:

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We’re happy tonight.
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird,
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song,
As we go along,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown

He’ll say: Are you married?
We’ll say: No man,
But you can do the job
When you’re in town.

Later on, we’ll conspire,
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid,
The plans that we’ve made,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Ok: two love birds are walking through a forest and they stop to build a parson, that’s a pastor, out of a snowman – his name is “Parson Brown.” The couple knows they’re not married but sort of want to be so that, well . . . let’s just say it’s not for roasting chestnuts on an open fire – you don’t need to be married to do that! So, when the preacher-snowman gets into town, he “does the job” – “I pronounce you husband and wife.” Later on, vavoom by the fire. Plans fulfilled.

Or . . . maybe I’m reading way too much into the words. Anyhoo,  I’m just glad that I don’t need a pretend preacher to conspire beside the fire this Christmas. By grace, we had a real wedding, with a real preacher, with real witnesses and real vows. Now we can truly face, unafraid, the plans that we’ve made – and so can you.