I was introduced to this song during the winter of 2016 by a friend who I did an advent concert with. The version she recommended was Jackson Browne's collaboration with The Cheiftans on their 'Bells of Dublin' Christmas album. This song has stayed with me due to the way Browne manages to walk the line of challenging his audience without disparaging the beauty of the Advent season. There is one stanza in particular, though, that has haunted me since first hearing it:
"And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if anyone of us should interfere
In the business of why there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus"
For me it really gets at the heart of what I pray for: systematic change. 'Things Remain Held Together' was me trying to do CBT and remember Col 1:17, namely that Jesus is holding all things together (and working within the broken systems of the world). This song reminds me that we should not only remember the poor and give where we can, but also get involved in ending the cycle of poverty at its roots.
I hope that this song is a blessing to you.
Thank you for listening - Asher
All money from all sales and streams of this song will be donated to the Red Cross, specifically their homelessness services (
www.redcross.org.au/services/homelessness-services/).
released December 16, 2022
Written by Jackson Browne
Performed, arranged, recorded and produced by Asher Graieg-Morrison
Thanks to Jonno, Ian, Jess, Kallan and Jon for their helpful feedback while mixing.
Thank you to Karen for introducing this song to me.