Verse 1 When I was just a boy on a cold December morn Thought Christmas meant the things I’d tear open at dawn Had my heart set on a bike, maybe boots or a ball But I tore off the paper and it wasn’t that at all Didn’t know back then what I know right now The best gifts don’t shine, don’t come with a bow They shape who you are when the years roll on Teach you what matters when the thrill is gone Pre-Chorus Now I don’t ask for toys or a brand-new ride Just a little peace when I lay down at night Chorus I was looking for freedom, didn’t know His name Tried to buy it, fight it, drown it out with shame But on a silent night, heaven broke through When God gave the world His only Son to lose No chains, no bars, no flag, no gun Just grace in the dirt where the battle was won I was searching my whole life, didn’t see it coming Jesus was the gift And the gift was freedom Verse 2 Angels sang glory over Bethlehem skies Wasn’t just a baby, it was heaven’s reply Not freedom on paper, not won by a sword But a blood-stained promise from the hands of the Lord I’ve worn my share of shackles, yeah, I know the weight Anger, pride, and fear kept locking the gate Sin talks sweet, but it lies every time Leaves you empty, broke, and running out of wine Pre-Chorus I was born in chains I didn’t even see Till mercy found a man like me Chorus I was looking for freedom, didn’t know His name Tried to buy it, fight it, drown it out with shame But on a silent night, heaven broke through When God gave the world His only Son to lose No chains, no bars, no flag, no gun Just grace in the dirt where the battle was won I was searching my whole life, didn’t see it coming Jesus was the gift And the gift was freedom Bridge The manger was the start line The cross was where He stayed They nailed Him to my failures So I could walk away Didn’t come to clean me up Didn’t come to make me tough He came to raise the dead in us Final Chorus I was looking for freedom, now I know His name It ain’t something I earned, it ain’t something I claim It was paid in full on a rugged tree By a Savior who thought enough of me No past too dark, no soul too far No sin stronger than those scarred hands are I was lost, I was broken, now I’m breathing Jesus was the gift And the gift was freedom Outro So this Christmas I don’t need much at all Just mercy that answers when I call Lift my head, yeah, I finally see I’m free today Because He was given for me

The Gift (A True Way to Freedom)