My Grown Up Christmas List : No More Guns To Tear Our Families Apart

December 16, 2012
Cold Opening on SNL: New York City Children’s Chorus singing “Silent Night” as a tribute to the victims and families affected by the recent tragedy in Newtown, CT.

Cold Opening on Saturday Night Live: New York City Children’s Chorus singing “Silent Night” as a tribute to the victims and families affected by the recent tragedy in Newtown, CT.

In the wake of the tragedy of this past week, I am reminded of the song written by David Foster and his ex-wife, Linda Thompson-Jenner entitled My Grown Up Christmas List written in 1990.  In so many ways, it is an anthem to peace:

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up christmas list
This is my only life long wish
This is my grown up christmas list

The song was originally covered by Natalie Cole in 1990. It became more popularized by Amy Grant.  It reached a new popularity when American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson sang it in 1997,  My favorite version is  by Michael Bublé . For some reason,the Bublé version is not available on iTunes, but the song track is below on this YouTube video as well as the others mentioned. Styles have certainly changed in 20 years.

Here are the  lyrics written by Linda Thompson-Jenner in their entirety:

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies

Well, I’m all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I’m not a child
But my heart still can dream

So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown up christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas list

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree

But heaven only knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up christmas list
This is my only life long wish
This is my grown up christmas list

This year, I think our grown up Christmas List has to be a “No more Guns to tear our families apart”.

"My Grown Up Christmas List"

“My Grown Up Christmas List”

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2 responses to My Grown Up Christmas List : No More Guns To Tear Our Families Apart

  1. America is proving an updated version of the words of Jesus: “live by the sword, die by the sword.” I pray you get your Christmas wish, David.

  2. Each of today’s NFL games began with a moment of silence for the victims
    of Friday’s violence. Very appropriate and moving. Yet, come Superbowl
    Sunday, they’ll start the game with a fly-by of the latest military
    hardware. I just don’t get it.

    Still, I hope we all benefit from your Christmas wish, David.