December 23

Breath of Heaven

by Suzanne Herron

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWo3qlqyW1c  

This contemporary Christmas song is a personal favorite of mine.  Christopher Eaton, British singer and song writer, and member of Amy Grant’s touring band, is the composer.  He actually did not originally write “Breath of Heaven” as a Christmas song.  When Amy Grant first heard the song in 1992, she was pregnant and identified with the lyrics.  She wanted to tell the nativity story pulling from Mary’s own words found in Luke 1. Amy asked Eaton if she could rewrite some of the lyrics to personalize them from a woman’s point of view.

Luke 1: 

46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
 of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
 holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
 from generation to generation.

The chorus seems to be a prayer and can be spoken in so many circumstances in our life.  It certainly would have been perfect for a humble Mary, preparing to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God, and perhaps wondering “If a wiser one should have had my place?”

Breath of heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of heaven
Breath of heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy
Breath of heaven
I offer all I am for the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong, help me be, help me!