[A free PDF of the lead sheet of this song is available here. A very old recording may be heard here.]
I wish I’d been living when Jesus was born.
If I’d been an angel, I’d have joined in their song.
If I’d been a seeker I’d have followed the star.
But I wasn’t born yet, though I follow Him now.
refrain
I wasn’t born yet; I couldn’t be there.
Christ died for my life; I’ll live for Him now.
I wish I’d been living when Christ was a kid.
If I’d been His neighbor, He’d have been my best friend.
If I’d been his rabbi, I’d have marveled at all He knew.
But I wasn’t born yet, though He’s my best friend now.
refrain
I wish I’d been living when Christ was a man.
If I’d heard His sermons, I’d have savored each word.
If I’d been His disciple, I’d have fished hard for men.
But I wasn’t born yet, though I listen to Him now.
refrain
I wish I’d been living when Jesus was killed.
If I’d been His witness, I’d have told how good He was.
I’d have offered Him water when He said, “I thirst.”
But I wasn’t born yet, though I’m His witness now.
refrain
I wish I’d been living when Christ rose from death.
If I’d been with the women, I’d have shouted, “Praise the Lord!”
If I’d been with Thomas I’d have said, “Help me believe.”
But I wasn’t born yet, though I believe now.
refrain
I wish I’d been living when Christ rose through the clouds.
If I’d been there watching, I’d have cried, “Lord, come back soon!”
If I’d been in Heaven, I’d have said, “Lord, welcome home.”
But I wasn’t born yet, though I’m watching for Him now.
refrain
About This Song:
I’ve written songs about Christmas and I’ve written songs about Easter. I’ve also written songs that are about both of those special events.
But this song goes miles further. It originally covered only the time from Jesus’ birth to His resurrection. But a few years ago I felt inspired to add the final stanza to cover His ascension back into heaven.
This subject is interesting to speculate about. What kind of relationship would each of us have had with Jesus if we’d been alive two thousand years ago and known Him in person?
Surely we would have recognized Him as the Son of God–the promised Messiah–and been the most faithful and supportive disciples of all. We wouldn’t have betrayed Him or let Him down. That’s what we’d like to believe, isn’t it?
But–as the song reminds us–we weren’t alive then. We can’t go back in time. We can’t know what He would’ve meant to us–if anything. So the only important thing that matters now is our current relationship with Him.
- Is He living through us or do we live as if He’s long dead and gone?
- Is He our best friend or someone we’re embarrassed to acknowledge we know personally?
- Is He someone we talk with on a regular basis or someone we turn to only when times are tough?
- Is He the prime model of how God wants us to live or just an excellent preacher, teacher, and story teller?
- Is He the only way to God or just one of many?
I can answer those questions for myself, but I can’t do it for you. Is your relationship with Jesus real?
I write Christian novels as well as songs. The two most recent ones are shown below and their pictures are links to the Amazon pages. The eighteen-book picture is a link to my Amazon Author Page.
I’ll be back again next Wednesday. Please join me then. Better still, sign up to receive these weekly posts by email.
Best regards,
Roger
Links you might be interested in:
As I Come Singing. . . 