Only at Christmas Time
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Only to bring you peace
Only at Christmas time
Only the King of kings
Only what once was mine
It takes the end of time
It takes a long long time
Only one thought of mine
Only at Christmas time

He brings us peace
He brings us joy
He brings all thoughts to destroy
Only at Christmas time

To bring us peace
To bring us joy
To bring all thoughts to destroy
Only at Christmas time

Only at Christmas time
Only a tree to climb
Only at Christmas time
If you can read the sign
Only at Christmas time
Everything lost will find




Only at Christmas time
Only at Christmas time

Overall Meaning

In Sufjan Stevens's song Only at Christmas Time, the lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the traditions and experiences of the holiday season. The repeated phrase "only at Christmas time" highlights the exclusivity and rarity of these experiences, as if they can only be truly appreciated and enjoyed during this special time of year. The singer suggests that these experiences, such as the feeling of peace, joy, and the destruction of negative thoughts, can only be attained through the King of kings, which may refer to Jesus Christ or some other higher power.


Line by Line Meaning

Only to bring you peace
The song expresses that Christmas is the only time of the year when one can truly feel the essence of the divine and experience inner peace.


Only at Christmas time
The song emphasizes that Christmas is not only a festival, but it's a feeling that can be embraced only when it is celebrated during the particular time of the year.


Only the King of kings
The song refers to Jesus Christ, the ultimate King of Kings who is believed to have been born on the day of Christmas.


Only what once was mine
The song signifies that Christmas is the only time of the year to cherish good old memories and bring back everything that was once ours.


It takes the end of time
The song portrays the idea that it takes an eternity to understand the true meaning and feeling of Christmas.


It takes a long long time
The song emphasizes the importance of patience to truly experience the depth of Christmas' spiritual and emotional connection.


Only one thought of mine
The song suggests that it takes one single thought, one personal reflection, to make the most of the Christmas season.


Only at Christmas time
The song repeats that the true essence of Christmas is only felt during this particular season of the year.


Only at Christmas time
The song emphasizes that during Christmas, one must climb the tree of faith and belief to reach new heights of joy and peace.


If you can read the sign
The song asks the listener to recognize and understand the signs of Christmas, which carry a deeper, symbolic meaning behind them.


Only at Christmas time
The song repeats that the season of Christmas holds a special significance in finding everything that was once lost.


Only at Christmas time
The song concludes by emphasizing the importance of the season in truly realizing the spiritual and emotional significance of Christmas.




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: SUFJAN STEVENS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@definitelydont

Even though I'm an atheist and I don't really like Christmas somehow a legend like you can make me feel as if I'm wrong with what I believe in. I just love you.

@Live4God3269

Jesus loves you love him back ๐Ÿ™

@NoxaLunaMoon

This is so calming and amazing, I can listen to this all day even when it isn't Christmas

@daphneh.8938

It's not Christmas time without a Sufjan Stevens soundtrack.

@SensoriaMaRia

Christmas and Sufjan simply go together! Radical gratitude for your help in remembering who we are and how we try our best to understand Him! Love to ALL, Maria

@ezzy100

Such a beautiful song ... Who else first heard it in ' This is Us' ?

@loretta2008

The best Christmas song ever.๐ŸŽ„
That indie folk guitar sound is like a dream.

@killa-sadie

Sufjan Stevens I was listening to fourth of July and saw it was you who wrote it, and I remembered this song from so long ago and was like "wait this name seems hella familiar didn't he sing only at Christmas time?" And sure enough it's you ๐Ÿฅณ you are a great song writer and especially singer, I love your voice!

@juniarocha3014

Essa musica por toda sua existรชncia vai me lembrar o meu primeiro natal do qual passei sozinha, por nescessidade claro, mas foi nescessario, eu sempre vou amar esse hino

@ca0tslantern564

I will listen to this song, even when it's not Christmas. It's just so calming

More Comments

More Versions