Sweet Nativity
By Raymond Livingston
There’s a daughter out there I’m longing to see
She never called me Daddy, never looked up to me
She doesn’t know the heartache that I’ve carried every day
Or how her memory in my soul will never fade away
Somebody whispered words too cruel for her young ears
Painted me the villain, filled her mind with doubts and fears
But I swear I never left her, though mistakes were made by me
Not a single one should steal away the love she ought to see
Nativity I'm sorry for the moments lost, sorry for the pain
Sorry for the stories told that left me in the rain
If you open up your heart, and let the truth come through
You’ll see my open arms—they’re reaching just for you
It’s not your fault, sweet child, believe what you must
But every beat inside my chest cries out for faith and trust
All that truly matters is the bond we rise above
I love you, always—endless arms and endless love
The years have slipped like shadows, every season passing by
I’m standing in the doorway, praying time will let us try
If you grant me just one moment, I’ll give all I have inside
Show you love and sorry—nothing more to hide
You weren’t wrong for leaving or believing what they said
There’s no guilt for holding anguish deep inside your head
If the world could see my longing, if forgiveness set us free
You’d know my love is endless—you mean everything to me
No blame to bear, no reason to regret
I’m proud of your strength, no matter what we get
I’ll wait forever hopeful, with patience in my soul
Till you see my open arms, longing to make you whole
Nativity I'm sorry for the moments lost, sorry for the pain
Sorry for the stories told that left me in the rain
If you open up your heart, and let the truth come through
You’ll see my open arms—they’re reaching just for you
It’s not your fault, sweet child, believe what you must
But every beat inside my chest cries out for faith and trust
All that truly matters is the bond we rise above
I love you, always—endless arms and endless love
