By Sally Jo Pitts
As Christian writers, we search for inspiration to pen words that will inspire, touch hearts, and leave spiritual impact.
I have a close friend, Jim Ward, who is the author of several Christian songs. I love the 
story behind the inspired words to a Christmas song that he wrote.
In the late 1980’s, Jim had been saved about a year and the slogan “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” was circulating. Jim lived in Indiana and was on his way to work the three to eleven shift at the steel mill when words and a tune started to come to him. He grabbed pen and paper and scribbled the lyrics down while sitting at stop lights. After fifteen minutes, he had not only arrived at work but had written the entire song. Here it is:
THE REASON FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
(Copyright by Jim Ward, printed by permission)
(Chorus)
Remember that the reason
For the Christmas season
Is Christ who came to earth for you and me.
He came to sacrifice his life
So that you and I
Might live with him eternally.
_________________________________________
He left his home in glory to live on earth with man
To be born in a manger to fulfill the father’s plan
He had no earthly riches
He knew hunger, he knew cold.
He had no place to lay his head
So we’ve all been told.
(Chorus)
So give your heart to Jesus for his all to us he gave
He came not to condemn the world for through him it might be saved
Now he’s at the right hand of the Father
And as he looks down from above
He says I came to earth that Christmas Day
To show you all my love.
(Chorus)
I wish you could hear Jim sing the words, because they are truly God words sent Godward.
The words given to Jim reveal the real meaning of the season and show how important words can be to relate Christian truths. My latest novel, Winter Deception takes place on an antebellum estate at Christmas time. The story involves a murder and an array of suspects imbedded with bitterness and deception. But after the dark days of winter there is the promise of spring bringing new growth and hope. So as colorful Christmas decorations go up with lights that brighten the short days of winter, let’s look to the reason for the season to usher in fresh words of inspiration in the new year.
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Sally Jo Pitts brings a career as a private investigator, high school guidance counselor, and teacher of family and consumer sciences to the fiction page. Residing in north Florida with her schnauzer Gibbs, Sally Jo enjoys hot mochas, old movies, and creating stories from ideas that pop into her head. Visit Sally Jo on her website, Facebook and Twitter.