“The Christmas Shoes” is a song by the Christian group NewSong. This heartbreaking ballad was released in 2000 and tells the story of a young boy who is trying to buy a pair of shoes as a Christmas present for his sick mother. He struggles to pay for the shoes and eventually, the person behind him in line (the narrator) offers to help him out.
Besides the emotional story behind the song, it also has a great message: The importance of showing love and kindness to others during the holiday season.
The First Verse
It was almost Christmas time
And there I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two
Not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me
Was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing 'round like little boys do
And in his hands he held a pair of shoes
And his clothes were worn and old
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say
In the first verse, the narrator of the song is standing in line at a store, feeling unenthused about the holiday season.
However, the arrival of a young boy with a worn-out pair of shoes changes his perspective. The boy is trying to buy the shoes for his mother, who he believes is dying.
Despite his best efforts, the boy does not have enough money to pay for the shoes. And when the narrator heard the boy’s request, he was moved by what the boy said.
The Chorus
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see, she's been sick for quite awhile
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight
In the chorus, the boy pleads with the cashier to hurry so that he can give the shoes to his mother before it is too late.
He believes that the shoes will make his mother happy and that she will look beautiful if she meets Jesus that night.
Second Verse
He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the Cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here"
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me
He said, "Mama made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without"
"Tell me, sir, what am I going to do
Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes"
So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out
And I'll never forget the look on his face when he said
"Mama's gonna look so great"
In the second verse, the boy frantically searches for enough money to pay for the shoes but comes up short. The narrator, touched by the boy’s determination, pays for the shoes himself.
The Bridge
I knew I'd caught a glimpse of Heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me, what Christmas is all about
The bridge of the song reflects on the experience, with the narrator realizing that he has seen a glimpse of heaven’s love through the boy’s actions.
And that the boy was sent by God to remind him of what Christmas is really about.
The Outro
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight
The outro repeats the chorus, emphasizing the boy’s desire for his mother to look beautiful when she meets Jesus.
The Message
The song’s message? Well, it’s simple yet powerful: To show love and kindness to others, especially during the holiday season.
Through this song, we are reminded of the importance of showing compassion, humbleness, and generosity to our fellow humans – no matter how difficult life may be.
The Christmas Shoes is a reminder that in order for us to truly experience the joys
Covers and Versions
“The Christmas Shoes” has been covered by numerous artists, including 3 of Hearts, Donna VanLiere, René Froger, and FM Static.
