Last Song of the Year /// Music Monday #40

Well, here we are, standing on the precipice of tomorrow with the path of yesterday behind us. 2019 has almost arrived . . . and what better way to celebrate it than with a song?

But I'm not treating you to just any old song. No, no, this one needs to be special. So I decided to share with a track that is not only one of the most beautiful, stirring pieces of music I've ever heard, but one that is also an all-time favorite of mine. I present to you . . .

"Undertale" from Undertale

Composed by Toby Fox

What's amazing about this song is that it basically consists of two leitmotifs from Undertale: "Once Upon a Time," which is the game's main theme, and "Memory/His Theme," a theme for an integral character whom I won't disclose due to spoilers. Of all the tracks on the album, this is the only one to be played by real instruments (aside from the piano in "Last Goodbye," and possibly the guitar in a couple of songs like "Home"). Plus, if you slow this song down by 666%, it sounds like "The Choice."

So in other words, Toby Fox is a mad genius.

Now, if you haven't ever played Undertale, I will try to set the stage a little for why this song is so special in the game, while avoiding major spoilers. This song plays as you traverse New Home, the city leading up to the final boss. While you walk along, you encounter more monsters. Normally, a fight would begin, but these creatures aren't here to harm you, nor you them. What they instead do is tell you their side of the story: how they ended up in the Underground, the tragedy that struck the royal family, and what's going to happen now so that they can return to daylight again.

At this point, you might be pausing and paying more attention to the music, then saying, "But it sounds too happy! Isn't this supposed to be a sad moment for the monsters?"

Well, yes, they do speak of emotional subjects, and Toby originally planned for the song to be more somber. But you know what he found? It didn't fit the tone of the scene. These Underground denizens aren't sad about the past; they're looking forward to the future. In fact, as the song's final notes sound, you encounter a few monsters who have this to say, the last one being the very first kind you fight in the game:

"Aren't you excited?"

"Aren't you happy?"

"You're going to be free."

Honestly, playing the game and reading these lines almost make me cry. Heck, even now, tears are threatening to break free. As a guy named Xiao Andy said in the comments (seriously, what he has to say in all of the tracks posted by Misaki is so well-thought-out), ". . . Undertale isn't about sadness. It's about hope. Love. Kindness. Compassion. Mercy. And above all, holding onto these precious things in the face of pain and sadness."

I think this is why this song is one of my all-time favorites. It bears the game's title with pride and honor, totally deserving of it. Where most games give you intense "this is it, the world's ending" music right before the final boss, Undertale delivers a reminder that it's not all about that. It's also a good way to start the new year. Keep your chin up and keep a smile on your face and joy in your heart, despite all that may have happened in 2018.

Be excited. Be happy.

Because you're going to be free. Just stay determined.

I hope that was a good send-off for the year, and I hope that you all enjoyed the song as much as I do. What'd you think of it? If you've played Undertale, what did you think of the scene this played in? If not, what're your thoughts? (Also, if you've played the game already, check out some of the video's comments. They're so heartwarming.)

No Post Today

Hey guys, just wanted to quickly let you know that there's no real post today. Most of this last week I've spent relaxing and celebrating Christmas with my family, so I haven't been very productive. Plus, I had no idea as to what I'd post about today, so I just figured I'd skip it. Anyway, have a great day, and I'll see you on Monday with another song.

Bye for now!

Son of God and Man

Greetings, everyone, and merry Christmas! I can't believe it's only a few days away . . . This year has just flown by, hasn't it? But as for today, I'm going to be doing what I did last year: a short, inspirational, Christmas-related post. I hope that's okay with you all!

source

I remember being confused, when I was younger, by Jesus referring to Himself as both the Son of God and the Son of Man. "Why does He call Himself that?" I would ask myself. "He's the Son of God, so He should be referring to Himself by that title."

But when I was researching the usage of the both names, I found something very interesting. Jesus almost always refers to Himself as the Son of Man, while others call Him the Son of God. Why is this? Well, we need to start where my befuddlement met its demise: at the beginning of what we call the Christmas story.

A messenger of God, whom we presume to be Gabriel, appears before Mary and informs her that she's going to be pregnant, but not with just any ol' kiddo. She's going to bear the Savior of the entire world, a burden that sounds far greater than any other pregnancy. Mary agrees with what the messenger says and gives her permission for this act to be done.

You have to understand, if God wanted to, He could've sent Jesus down in a fiery chariot as an adult, or had Him simply poof into existence. But that's not the plan. If Jesus is going to become our Advocate, He must become like us to understand our situation. Suppose you were in court, and your defendant is someone from a poor, lawless country where justice is very different--and he can't even speak your language properly! You don't want him defending you, because he won't understand your situation. Jesus submerged Himself into the flaws and indecency of humanity to fully comprehend us and our nature.

This is why I think He calls Himself the Son of Man so often. I know the meaning is debated by scholars, but it seems cut-and-dried to me. It's to remind us that He, though totally God, is also totally man. Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, and divine nature melded with fallen humanity in one woman's womb. (Honestly, it's no wonder Joseph wanted to divorce Mary at first. Can you imagine her trying to explain that to him? "Seriously, Joe, I haven't been sleeping around. This is the work of God." It would've taken an angel to convince me too.)

There's a reason why Jesus would remind us of His combined deity and humanity. It's because He was going to step in for us one day and be our Advocate before the Father. And while He experienced thirty years of life in our mortal form, Hebrews 4:15 (The Voice) says, "For Jesus is not some high priest who has no sympathy for our weaknesses and flaws. He has already been tested in every way that we are tested; but He emerged victorious, without failing God." When we read the account of Satan tempting Jesus in the desert, it's easy to assume that he only did so three times. But if Jesus was tested in EVERY SINGLE WAY that we are, the devil must've been busy for those forty days.

Why am I talking about this? Christmas is a time where families come together and celebrate, but it can also be a time where old wounds are opened, past hurts come back to mind, and heartache is given room for growth. We all have imperfect families, but no matter what happens, no matter what we go through, Jesus says, "I get it. I've experienced it too. I'll help you through it. Together, we can overcome any and every obstacle. No mountain is too big, and no road is too long. Just let Me step in and help you, just as I stepped onto Earth in a quiet fashion so many years ago."

And that is a powerful reminder, for any time of the year.

I hope you enjoyed the post! I know it was a little all over the place, but I hope it tied together at the end. I also hope that you were encouraged by it. Merry Christmas to you and your family!