The following albums saw large shifts in style. Much Afraid saw them releasing gorgeous - sometimes brittle - music, which the Band intended to have a "timeless" sound, while If I Left the Zoo is a quirkier but musically brilliant album, featuring considerably more keys and experimentation. The Eleventh Hour is their first true "rock" album. They returned to acoustic guitars for the "Furthermore" project, which featured two EPs - a live disc and an acoustic disc. The band's 5th album, Who We Are Instead continued some of the band's earlier sonic experiments and showcased some new gospel, bluegrass, and hymnsong influences. The hymnsong approach was continued on an album of new arrangements of classic hymns - Redemption Songs.
Good Monsters was released on Sept. 05, 2006. The album was hailed by CCM Magazine as "Album of the Year" - a controversial move considering that this announcement was made in August. "Good Monsters" further showcases the diverse style of the venerable quartet and is considered by the band to be their first true "rock" record. It is a rock driven record with electric guitars having prevalence on more of the songs than any previous albums. The album also has other stylistic influences and even includes a choir of African school children, while lyrically, it hits the darker side of their self-shaped genre.
In 2007, Jars of Clay announced that they were leaving Essential Records and were creating their own record label, Gray Matters. Jars of Clay released Christmas Songs through Gray Matters in 2007, and the Closer EP was released in the Summer of 2008.
April 21, 2009 marked the release of The Long Fall Back to Earth, containing two tracks from the Closer EP and 12 additional tracks. Two Hands is the first single from that release.
Christmas
Jars of Clay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hearts set a glow
Streets are silent
And covered in snow
Almost christmas
Heavenly hosts
Prepare to sing
Of joy they will bring
At christmas
Almost christmas
Come flowering our homes
For the light of the world
To come as a child born of the world
At christmas
Long with our burdens
What else can we bring
To a savior in waiting
The song that we sing
At christmas
Almost christmas
Children lay sleeping
Hearts set a glow
Streets are silent
Covered in snow
The lyrics in Jars of Clay's song โChristmasโ are rich in imagery, evoking a sense of quiet anticipation and nostalgia as the world prepares for the coming of Christmas. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, painting a picture of children asleep, hearts full of excitement and joy, and streets blanketed in snow, all leading up to the almost tangible sense of Christmas just around the corner.
The song then turns its focus to the heavenly realm, describing how the angels prepare to sing their tidings of joy at the birth of the savior. The use of the phrase โalmost Christmasโ throughout the song serves as a reminder of the significance of the season, the upcoming arrival of the light of the world, born as a child into the world.
The final verse of the song brings it back to the present, urging listeners to come forth and prepare their hearts and homes for the coming of Christmas. The lyrics suggest that, in addition to the gifts we give and receive, the most meaningful offering we can bring to the savior is the song of our hearts, full of joy and gratitude for the gift of his birth.
Line by Line Meaning
Children lay sleeping
The children are asleep, excited for Christmas morning to come.
Hearts set a glow
Their hearts are filled with joy and anticipation for the holiday.
Streets are silent
The usually bustling streets are quiet and peaceful on this special night.
And covered in snow
The snowfall has blanketed the roads and sidewalks, creating a serene winter wonderland backdrop.
Almost christmas
The time is near for the celebration of Christ's birth, a joyous holiday season.
Heavenly hosts
Angels from heaven above.
Prepare to sing
The angels are readying themselves to sing in celebration of the arrival of the Savior.
They wait for the tidings
They await the announcement of the joyous news of Christ's birth.
Of joy they will bring
They will bring great joy and happiness through their songs.
At christmas
The special holiday to celebrate Jesus' birth.
Almost christmas
The time is almost here for the joyous holiday.
Come flowering our homes
Decorate and prepare our homes with flowers and lights.
For the light of the world
Preparing our homes for the arrival of the light of the world, Jesus Christ.
To come as a child born of the world
Remembering Jesus' birth as a humble baby, coming to the earth as sent by God.
At christmas
The day we celebrate Jesus' birth.
Long with our burdens
We have carried our burdens for a long time.
What else can we bring
What else can we bring before the Savior?
To a savior in waiting
The Savior is waiting for us to bring our burdens to Him.
The song that we sing
We bring our songs of praise and worship as a humble offering.
At christmas
The season of giving, of offering our hearts and songs to the Savior.
Almost christmas
The holiday is quickly approaching.
Children lay sleeping
The excitement of Christmas day has exhausted the children, and they are now sound asleep.
Hearts set a glow
The holiday fills our hearts with a warmth and joy that can't be extinguished.
Streets are silent
The quiet peace is a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas - a time to reflect on the love of God that was shown through the birth of Jesus.
Covered in snow
The snow is nature's way of adding beauty and magic to this special holiday season.
Lyrics ยฉ Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Dan Haseltine, Stephen Mason, Matthew Odmark, Charlie Lowell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BeausQuest
One of the all time best. If you like Jars' sound, no denying they nailed it with this release.
Reepeet64
Will always be my favorite Christmas album.
Mark Flickinger
This has become one of the all-time great Christmas albums since I bought it back when it came out. Right up there with The Moody Blues "December", Dan Fogelberg "The Fiirst Christmas Morning", The Beach Boys Christmas Album, etc. Just a Christmas classic.
Debra Simms
Mark Flickinger
Thanks for the referral of Moody Blues & Dan Fogelberg .I have seen both in concert & had a friend in Deer Isle Maine who went sailing w/ Dan one day while I was visiting in 1989.
I should have begged to tag
Along. Now it's just a memory. a good one ๐๐ดโโ๏ธ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ
BeausQuest
Definitely, Mark, I'm right there with you.
Debra Simms
I sincerely hope ALL of the JARS OF CLAY MUSICIANS are feeling Happy and HEALTHY in 2020 . Their music has
brought me many wonderful memories
and I wish I could pay it forward by wishing them Equally Great memories โฃ๏ธ
๐๐ดโโ๏ธ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ
espiritu santo mtb
Este aรฑo 2021 descubrรญ esta joya. Gracias por compartirla! CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE!
kiki
thanks for uploading this! ๐
Marco Jaime Jardina
Nice music ๐ถ
Bob Mac
some great stuff here - Thanks!!