[Verse 1]
The colder it gets outside
The more it warms my soul
Christmas is on my mind
I just gotta make it home
It won’t be long ‘till I am singing
To the rhythm of the Salvation Army bell ringing
But this road keeps going for miles and miles
Oh please get me there on time
Hold on Christmas
I’m begging you please
Hold on Christmas
Christmas wait for me
For me
Tell Santa to take his time
Don’t be in such a rush
Just give me a chance
So I can get there before he does
I gotta see my baby and hold her hand
While we’re watching It’s A Wonderful Life again
It’s the only present I need right now
So please could you help me out
Gifts beneath the tree
Kids pretend to sleep
It’s finally Christmas Eve
So keep the fire bright
Don’t turn out the light
I’ll be home tonight
Lyrics Page
Hold On Christmas
719 views
Sep 17, 2026 updated
Mercyme, It's Christmas! album
Verified editorial review
Song Meaning
MercyMe keeps "Hold On Christmas" focused entirely on the last stretch of a journey rather than the holiday itself — "this road keeps going for miles and miles, oh please get me there on time." The urgency isn't about presents or festivities; it's about a specific person waiting at the end of the drive.
"I gotta see my baby and hold her hand while we're watching It's A Wonderful Life again, it's the only present I need right now" keeps the song's idea of a perfect Christmas small and specific rather than elaborate — one ordinary tradition repeated with the right person is treated as sufficient. Addressing the holiday itself directly, almost like a person who might not wait — "hold on Christmas, I'm begging you please" — gives the whole song a playful urgency that keeps it from turning sentimental too early.
"Gifts beneath the tree, kids pretend to sleep, it's finally Christmas Eve" closes the song on the scene actually being raced toward, letting the anticipation built up over the whole song land on something plain and familiar rather than a grand finale.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team