God is still in control.

In light of today's tragedy, I thought this song was fitting.

Grown Up Christmas List - Amy Grant

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee;
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies.

Well, I'm all grown-up now,
And still need help somehow.
I'm not a child,
But my heart still can dream.

So here's my lifelong wish,
My grown-up christmas list.
Not for myself,
But for a world in need.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.

And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up christmas list.

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree.

Well heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.

And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up christmas list.
This is my only life-long wish.
This is my grown-up christmas list.

A Hallelujah Christmas

A Hallelujah Christmas - Cloverton

This Christmas

Here's really fun Christmas song with a great message by Bryan Duncan.

I've been a fan of Bryan's for many years, and he's always put out great music. "This Christmas, one of five bonus Christmas songs on the album Conversations. You can hear the Conversations album FREE for a limited time here: http://igg.me/p/286384/x/945004."
 but you only have a few days left to get it!

If you happen to miss it, but want to get ahold of his new Conversations album, here's information about it: http://sogoodforthesoul.com/ You can also preview the entire album there.

This Christmas - Bryan Duncan

After the snowfall melts away
and Christmas bells have ceased to ring
one gift of love on Christmas Day
transcends the season
to be love the whole yearh through
Let this one gift last forever
its the love that I get from you.

It never gets old
It's the love I need
and it's what I want
and it's what I want for you
The story is told
of a new born love
It's the best of all I know this Christmas brings

Long after Christmas ties are gone
and treasures here no longer new
this Christmas love just like a song
brings out the season
to be sung the whole year through
Let this one gift last forever
in the love that I get from you

It never gets old
It's the love I need
and it's what I want
and it's what I want for you
The story is told
of a new born love
It's the best of all I know this Christmas brings

Count the days till Christmas comes
Treat every soul like it was Christmas
364 plus one
and with this Christmas done
we'll start all over again
start all over again

It never gets old
It's the love I need
and it's what I want
and it's what I want for you
The story is told
of a new born love
It's the best of all I know this Christmas brings

It never gets old
This Christmas
and it's what I want
and it's what I want for you
The story is told
this Christmas
of a newborn love
and it's what I want for you
The story is told
this Christmas

Little known facts....

Most of my family and friends probably don't known this. So, Shhhhh, don't tell them.

I like ballets. I like classical music. There. I said it in public.

The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is part of The Nutcracker ballet. It tells the story of Clara and the Nutcracker. Here's a description of the ballet from Wikipedia:

Act I Scene 1: The Silberhaus HomeIt is Christmas Eve. Family and friends have gathered in the parlor to decorate the beautiful Christmas tree in preparation for the night's festivities. Once the tree is finished, the younger children are sent for. The children stand in awe of the tree sparkling with candles and decorations.

The festivities begin. A march is played. Presents are given out to the children. Suddenly, as the owl-topped clock strikes eight, a mysterious figure enters the room. It is Herr Drosselmeyer, a local councilman, magician, and Clara and Fritz's godfather. He is also a talented toymaker who has brought with him gifts for the children, including four lifelike dolls who dance to the delight of all. Drosselmeyer then has the precious dolls put away for safekeeping.
Clara and Fritz are sad to see the dolls taken away, but Drosselmeyer has yet another toy for them: a wooden nutcracker carved in the shape of a little man, used for cracking hazelnuts. The other children ignore it, but Clara immediately takes a liking to it. Fritz, however, purposely breaks the toy. Clara is heartbroken.
During the night, after everyone else has gone to bed, Clara returns to the parlor to check on her beloved nutcracker. As she reaches the little bed, the clock strikes midnight and she looks up to see Drosselmeyer perched atop the clock in place of the owl. Suddenly, mice begin to fill the room and the Christmas tree begins to grow to dizzying heights. The Nutcracker also grows to life-size. Clara finds herself in the midst of a battle between an army of Gingerbread man soldiers and the mice, led by the Mouse King. The mice begin to eat the gingerbread soldiers.
The Nutcracker appears to lead the gingerbread soldiers, who are joined by tin soldiers and dolls who serve as doctors to carry away the wounded. As the Mouse King advances on the still-wounded Nutcracker, Clara throws her slipper at him, distracting him long enough for the Nutcracker to stab him.
Scene 2: A Pine Forest
The mice retreat and the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome Prince. He leads Clara through the moonlit night to a pine forest in which the snowflakes dance around them.
Act II Scene 1: The Land of SweetsClara and the Prince travel in a nutshell boat pulled by dolphins to the beautiful Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Prince's place until his return. The Prince recounts for the Sugar Plum Fairy how he had been saved by Clara from the Mouse King and had been transformed back into a Prince.
In honor of the young heroine, a celebration of sweets from around the world is produced: chocolate from Spain, coffee from Arabia, and tea from China all dance for their amusement; candy canes from Russia; Danish shepherdesses perform on their flutes; Mother Gigogne has her children emerge from under her enormous skirt to dance; a string of beautiful flowers perform a waltz. To conclude the night, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform a dance.
A final waltz is performed by all the sweets, after which Clara and the Prince are crowned rulers of The Land of Sweets. Soon, however, the people of the land of the sweets begin to disappear one by one, until the Nutcracker Prince himself disappears, and Clara is found sleeping in the parlor. The Nutcracker Doll is under the Christmas tree. Clara awakes, thinking it was all a dream, but then finds her crown sitting beside her, leading to question, was it a dream? She walks to the Christmas tree and takes her Nutcracker, going back to sleep, the implication being that if it was all a dream, that she would want to keep dreaming.

Welcome Christmas!

Who doesn't love How The Grinch Stole Christmas? Get it? 'Who'....

Anyway, this cartoon has been an annual tradition for many families since it was first aired in 1966. The song at the end is a Dr. Seuss classic. Welcome Christmas is joyful and fun!

Welcome Christmas - Dr. Seuss

Fah who for-aze! Dah who dor-aze! 

Welcome Christmas! Come this way! 

Fah who for-aze! Dah who dor-aze! 

Welcome Christmas! Christmas Day! 

Welcome, Welcome Fah who rah-moose 

Welcome, Welcome Dah who dah-moose 

Christmas day is in our grasp 

So long as we have hands to clasp 

Fah who for-aze! Fah who dor-aze! 

Bring your cheer 

Fah who for-aze! 

Dah who dor-aze! 

Welcome all Who's 

Far and near 

Welcome Christmas, fah who rah-moose 

Welcome Christmas, dah who dah-moose 

Christmas day will always be 

Just so long as we have we 

Fah who for-aze 

Dah who dor-aze 

Welcome Christmas 

Bring your light 

(Bridge)

Welcome Christmas 

Fah who rah-moose! 

Welcome Christmas 

Dah who dah-moose!

Welcome Christmas 

While we stand 

Heart to heart 

And hand in hand 

Fah who for-aze 

Dah who dor-aze 

Welcome welcome 

Christmas 

Christmas Day

Wonderful Christmastime

While this song doesn't really convey the true meaning of Christmas, it sure is a catchy tune.

Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney

The moon is right 
The spirit's up 
We're here tonight 
And that's enough 

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 

The party's on 
The feelin's here 
That only comes 
This time of year 

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 

The choir of children sing their song 
Ding dong, ding dong 
Ding dong, ding, oh, oh 

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 

The word is out 
About the town 
To lift a glass 
Ah, don't look down 

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 

The choir of children sing their song 
They practiced all year long 

Ding dong, ding dong 
Ding dong, ding dong 
Ding dong, ding dong 

The party's on 
The spirit's up 
We're here tonight 
And that's enough 

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 

The moon is right 
The spirit's up 
We're here tonight 
And that's enough 

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time 

Oh, Christmas time

Christmas With A Capital C

Go Fish has a unique Christmas song that my family loves.  Christmas with a Capital C talks about how our society is trying to kill all public displays of Christmas. Every year there's more stories of atheists and atheist organizations trying to stifle Christmas. There really is a 'war on Christmas' going on, and Christians need to take a stand and put an end to it.

I saw someone post this the other day, "My faith is personal, but it's not private." This is so true. Any Christian that follows the 'politically correct' garbage that says you have to leave your faith at home has forgotten Christ's command:

Matthew 28:18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Brad Stine, the comedian that you hear talking during the song, has this to say about it: http://bradstine.com/2011/12/christmas-with-a-capital-c/

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas With A Capital C - Go Fish
"IT'S CALLED CHRISTMAS WITH A CAPITAL C "

It's called Christmas!

Well I went to the coffee shop to get myself a mocha,
The lady at the counter said "Happy holidays";
I said, "Thanks lady, I am pretty happy,
But there's only one holiday that makes me feel that way."

It's called Christmas, what more can I say?
It's about the birth of Christ
and you can't take that away.
You can call it something else,
but that's not what it will be.
It's called Christmas with a capital "C."

God's got a law and we pretty much destroyed it.
We're gonna get judged, there's no way to avoid it.
But Jesus came down to take the punishment for me.
He did it for you too, so maybe you can see . . .

Why It's called Christmas, what more can I say?
It's about the birth of Christ
and you can't take that away.
You can call it something else,
but that's not what it will be.
It's called Christmas with a capital "C."

It's called Christmas!
It's called Christmas!
It's called Christmas!
It's called Christmas!

It's called Christmas, what more can I say?
It's about the birth of Christ
and you can't take that away.
You can call it something else,
but that's not what it will be.
It's called Christmas with a capital "C."

Reason For The Season

We tend to get caught up in the commercialism that surrounds Christmas. Black Friday! Cyber Monday! Trees! Lights! Decorations! Gifts! While there is nothing inherently wrong with any of that, it becomes wrong when we let it overshadow the true meaning of Christmas. There's one person that I know of that sums it up best. Linus:

I think this song says it best. Christ is the reason for the season. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Some of you may not consider this to be a classic Christmas song, but I sure do! Stryper, the pioneering Christian Metal band released this in 1986 in a re-release of their groundbreaking EP The Yellow And Black Attack!. I wish they'd release a full-length Christmas album!

Reason For The Season - Stryper
You, you say that you've got it figured out
That life's about, you do what you want to.

You, you walk the tightrope of unbelief
Can't you see? His way is reality.

We all know it's better to give than receive.
Then why don't we give God the glory?

Don't hide it, don't fight it, just believe.

He is the reason for the season.
He is the reason for today.
He is the reason for the season.
Celebrate, celebrate.

Your life can be a holiday
Everyday when He is with you.

Hey (HEY!), let's get back to what it's all about.
Shout it out. Christ is the reason.

We all know it's better to give than receive
His gift is for those who beleive.

You got it if you want it, just beleive.

He is the reason for the season.
He is the reason for today.
He is the reason for the season.

Celebrate.

We all know it's better to give than receive
Then why don't we give God the glory?

We all know it's better to give than receive
His gift is for those who beleive.

You got it if you want it, just beleive.

He is the reason for the season.
He is the reason for today.
He is the reason for the season.

Celebrate. Celebrate.

Little Drummer Boy/Adoration

No matter your style, The Little Drummer Boy is one of the most well known and loved songs of the Christmas season. I remember watching the claymation video every year as a child. Most people are very familiar with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version of this song. It gets a ton of radio airplay around Christmas time. I like that version, but I like more modern renditions of it too.

At the bottom of this post you'll also find a song by The Newsboys called Adoration. It's basically the same story as The Little Drummer Boy. Most people don't really think about it, mainly due to the fact it was released on a worship album containing other songs, but this is a powerful and beautiful Christmas song. Check it out below the Little Drummer Boy lyrics.

I found this great video featuring the Whiteheart version of the song. This video is not by Whiteheart, but the message in it is beautiful.

Whiteheart Version

 

At the request of a friend, I've also included this version by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. :)

Bing Crosby/David Bowie Version

 

The Little Drummer Boy - Traditional Lyrics

 Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum

A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, 

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

 

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

 

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

 

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

 

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

 



---

Adoration

This reminds me of a passage in Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. As summarized by Leigh Nash of the band Sixpense None The Richer when telling David Letterman about the origin of the band's name:

It comes from a book by C. S. Lewis called Mere Christianity. A little boy asks his father if he can get a sixpence—a very small amount of English currency—to go and get a gift for his father. The father gladly accepts the gift and he's really happy with it, but he also realizes that he's not any richer for the transaction. C.S. Lewis was comparing that to his belief that God has given him, and us, the gifts that we possess, and to serve Him the way we should, we should do it humbly—realizing how we got the gifts in the first place.



Adoration. What more can we give the One who owns it all anyway?

Adoration - The Newsboys
I'm here with the others
Who saw the heavens testify
Now I hang back in the shadows
I want to come close
I want to know

She sees me shivering here
She smiles and with a nod
I walk through the mud and straw
To the newborn Son of God

Come, let us adore Him
He has come down to this barren land
Where we live
And all I have to give Him
Is adoration

He raises a wrinkled hand
Through the dust and the flies
Wrapped in rags like we are

And with barely open eyes
He takes my finger
And He won't let go
And He won't let go

It's nothing like I knew before
And it's all I need to know

Come, let us adore Him
He has come down to the world we live in
And all I have to give Him
Is adoration

God is with us here
Our Immanuel

God is with us here
Our Immanuel
 
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him

Jesus, our Immanuel
Is with us here and He won't let go

Come, let us adore Him
He has come down to the world we live in
And all I have to give Him
Is adoration

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him

Gabriel's Message

Sting sang what I think is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs of the season. Gabriel's Message was featured on A Very Special Christmas, a benefit album for Special Olympics, as well as Sting's "Russians" and "If On A Winter's night..."

It is based on the Annunciation of The Lord to the Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel that she shall miraculously conceive and give birth and name the baby Jesus.

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 “I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

 

 

The video's kinda weird, but here ya go:

Gabriel's Message - Sting

The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow
His eyes as flame
"All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

"For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel,
By seers foretold
Most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

The gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify His holy name."
Most highly favoured lady Gloria!

Of her Emmanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn
And everyone through out the world will ever say
Most highly favoured lady Gloria!

The Christmas Song

One of the most famous Christmas songs is, of course, The Christmas Song. This is one of those songs that just about everyone who's recorded Christmas songs has performed, but probably the most known and loved is by Nat King Cole. The song was co-written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. Tormé said that "the song was written during a blistering hot summer. In an effort to 'stay cool by thinking cool', the most-performed Christmas song was born." (Wikipedia)

The Christmas Song - As sung by Nat King Cole

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
Help to make the season bright,
Tiny tots with their eyes all a-glow,
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh,
And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy,
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it's been said
Many times, Many ways
Merry Christmas to you.

[musical interlude]

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it's been said
Many times, Many ways
Merry Christmas to you.

God With Us

What could possibly say Christmas more than the word Emmanuel?

Matthew 1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us."

Amy Grant's rendition of the song Emmanuel is another Christmas classic. Most people think Amy wrote the song, but actually it was another well known CCM artist that wrote it.... Michael W. Smith.

Emmanuel - As sung by Amy Grant

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Wonderful, Counselor!

Lord of life, Lord of all;

He's the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Wonderful, Counselor!

Lord of life, Lord of all;

He's the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Wonderful, Counselor!

Lord of life, Lord of all;

He's the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, (Emmanuel, Emmanuel), Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, (Emmanuel, Emmanuel), Emmanuel.

Wonderful, Counselor!

Lord of life, Lord of all;

He's the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel....

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Snoopy's Christmas

One of my all-time favorite Christmas songs is Snoopy's Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen. The Peanuts are awesome, of course, and Charlie Brown's Christmas is a fond memory of many people. A timeless classic. Check this out from Wikipedia:

A followup to their earlier "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron", the song is about how Snoopy had to go out and fight the Red Baron on Christmas Eve. The Baron has Snoopy at his mercy after a long dogfight but, instead of shooting him down he forces Snoopy to land and offers Snoopy a holiday toast. Afterward, Snoopy and the Red Baron fly their separate ways, "each knowing they'd meet on some other day".^[1]The release begins with a male chorus singing the German yuletide classic "O Tannenbaum" ("O Christmas Tree"), and the middle of the song is bridged by chimes ringing out a phrase from "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". The chimes can also can be heard during the fade out at the end of the song.
Although fictitious, the song recalls a historical event. During World War I, in 1914, "The Christmas Truce" was initiated not by German and British commanders, but by the soldiers themselves.^[2] The length of the cease-fire varied by location, and was reported to have been as brief as Christmas Day or as long as the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Trench-bound combatants exchanged small gifts across the lines, with Germans giving beer to the British, who sent tobacco and tinned meat back in return. No Man's Land was cleared of dead bodies, trenches were repaired and drained, and troops from both sides shared pictures of their families and, in some places, used No Man's Land for friendly games of football.^[3] The song even has the initiator correct as it was generally the German soldiers who called over to the British and initiated the truce and, in the song, it is the Red Baron—a German WWI hero—who extends the hand of Christmas friendship to Snoopy.

Snoopy's Christmas - The Royal Guardsmen

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,

(O Christmas tree, O Christmas Tree)

Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!

(Of all the trees most lovely)

The news had come out in the First World War
The bloody Red Baron was flying once more

The Allied command ignored all of its men
And called on Snoopy to do it again.

Twas the night before Christmas, 40 below
When Snoopy went up in search of his foe
He spied the Red Baron, fiercely they fought
With ice on his wings Snoopy knew he was caught.

Christmas bells those Christmas bells
Ring out from the land
Asking peace of all the world
And good will to man
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/c/christmas_songs/snoopys_christmas.html ]
The Baron had Snoopy dead in his sights
He reached for the trigger to pull it up tight
Why he didn't shoot, well, we'll never know
Or was it the bells from the village below.

Christmas bells those Christmas bells
Ringing through the land
Bringing peace to all the world
And good will to man

The Baron made Snoopy fly to the Rhine
And forced him to land behind the enemy lines
Snoopy was certain that this was the end
When the Baron cried out, "Merry Christmas, my friend"

The Baron then offered a holiday toast
And Snoopy, our hero, saluted his host
And then with a roar they were both on their way
Each knowing they'd meet on some other day.

Christmas bells those Christmas bells
Ringing through the land
Bringing peace to all the world
And good will to man

Christmas Carols

My favorite part of Christmas is the music! I LOVE Christmas music! When I was a kid, I would listen to it all year long. Sometimes I'll still sneak in a listen in July. I'm going to try to share a Christmas song every day from today through Christmas. Enjoy!

There are so many old traditional songs that are special at Christmastime. I like some of the more modern renditions of them too, though.

Check out this medley of two classic Christmas songs by Michael W. Smith. He blends together I Saw Three Ships and Joy To The World wonderfully. This is one of my favorites.

I Saw Three Ships
The origins of I saw three ships are unknown but it is believed to be an English carol from the Victorian era. The theme for I saw three ships is extremely optimistic and the repetition rate of the chorus lines of I saw three ships ensure that the carol will be well remembered. Author of the lyrics and composer of the music for I saw three ships is unknown. (http://www.carols.org.uk/i_saw_three_ships.htm)

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;

I saw three ships come sailing in
 On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?



The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,

On Christmas Day in the morning.



Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;

Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,

On Christmas Day in the morning?



O they sailed into Bethlehem,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,

On Christmas Day in the morning.



And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;

And all the bells on earth shall ring,

On Christmas Day in the morning.



And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,

On Christmas Day in the morning.



And all the souls on earth shall sing,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the souls on earth shall sing,

On Christmas Day in the morning.



Then let us all rejoice again,,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Then let us all rejoice, again,
On Christmas day in the morning.

Joy To The World
The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol 'Joy to the World' were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). Joy to the World is a popular Christmas carol which is based on Psalm 98 in the Bible. The father of John Watts was a Non-conformist and so extreme were his views that he was imprisoned twice. (http://www.carols.org.uk/a27-joy-to-the-world.htm)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods,
rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make
His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Skeptical....but...!!!

OK, So when I heard that Kevin Max was going to be the new lead for a revived Audio Adrenaline, I must admit I was skeptical.

Kevin's work with DC Talk was nothing short of brilliant (for the most part), but I felt his solo stuff was somewhat lacking. It didn't seem to have the energy that you'd expect from a former DC Talk'er.

When I heard the news that AA was 'reviving', I was excited. I've always loved their music. But then I heard K-Max was going to be their lead. Hm. This oughta be interesting...

I was right. It's VERY interesting. Check out their new video for the song Kings & Queens. It rocks. It not only rocks, it has a great message to it. This has me looking forward to a full album. I guess Kevin Max needs a group behind him to really shine his brightest. And this song shines bright.

"It's just an incredible song about this idea of when we love the least of these, God wraps these little orphans in his majesty and they can become kings and queens," shares Mark Stuart of the song. "It gives you that idea that these are God's favorites, these little kids that have been forgotten. There's going to be a special place in heaven one day because of what they've been through here. It's just a triumphant, majestic song that just connects so deeply with Hands & Feet and the message of Audio A right now."

I want you to listen. Don't just listen. Hear. Act. What are you doing for the least of these?
Here's some ideas:

http://www.handsandfeetproject.org/
http://www.worldvision.org/ (We sponsor 3 kids in Tanzania through World Vision)
http://www.bloodwatermission.com/

Kings And Queens - Audio Adrenaline

Little hands
Shoeless feet
Lonely eyes looking back at me
Will we leave behind the innocent to grieve?

On their own
On the run
When their lives have only begun
These could be our daughters and our sons.

And just like a drum I can hear their hearts beating
I know my God won't let them be defeated
Every child has a dream to belong and be loved.

Boys become kings
Girls will be queens
Wrapped in Your Majesty
When we love
When we love
The least of these

Then they will be brave and free
Shout Your Name in victory

When we love

When we love

The least of these

When we love

The least of these

Break our hearts once again

help us to remember when

we were only children hoping for a friend

Won't you look around

These are the lives that the world has forgotten

Waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open

Boys become kings

Girls will be queens

Wrapped in Your Majesty

When we love

When we love

The least of these

Then they will be brave and free

Shout Your Name in victory

When we love

When we love

The least of these

When we love

The least of these

If not us, who will be like Jesus to the least of these

If not us, tell me who will be like Jesus like Jesus to the least of these

Boys become kings

Girls will be queens

Wrapped in Your Majesty

When we love

When we love

The least of these

Then they will be brave and free

Shout Your Name in victory

We will love

We will love

The least of these

We will love

The least of these

We will love the least of these

We will love the least of these

We will love the least of these

We will love the least of these

God is not an elephant. All too often, I am.

The message of this song hits close to home. I'm sure it does with all of us, at least at some point in our lives.

Someone hurts us somehow. We all say "Forgive and Forget". But somewhere in our brains there's this little compartment where we keep a record of the wrongs done to us. We can't trust that person again. We don't want to be around them anymore. We worry about what they'll do next.

What we forget, (especially us Christians) is that by holding a grudge we hold our own hearts in bondage.

Losing - Tenth Avenue North

I can’t believe what she said

I can’t believe what he did

Oh, don’t they know it’s wrong

Don’t they know it’s wrong, yeah

Maybe there’s something I’ve missed

But how could they treat me like this

It’s wearing out my heart

The way they disregard, oh

This is love or this is hate

We all have a choice to make

Oh, Father, won’t You forgive them

They don’t know what they’ve been doing

Oh, Father, give me grace to forgive them

‘Cause I feel like the one losing

It’s only the dead that can live

But still I wrestle with this

To lose the pain that’s mine

Seventy times seven times

Lord, it doesn’t feel right

For me to turn a blind eye

Though, I guess it’s not that much

When I think of what You’ve done

This is love, this is hate

We got a choice to make Why do we think that hate’s gonna change their heart

We’re up in arms over wars that don’t need to be fought

Pride won’t let us lay weapons on the ground

We build our bridges up but just to burn them down

We think pain’s owed apologies and then it’ll stop

Truth be told, it doesn’t matter if they’re sorry or not

Freedom comes when we surrender to the sound

Of mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down

Tobymac, #1 on Billboard

Tobymac' Eye On It hit #1 on the Billboard 200 last week. The first Christian album to do so in 15 years. It also debuted at #1 Digital Albums, #1Christian Albums, and #15 Canadian Albums.

#15 on Canadian Albums?? It only leaves one asking, "What's wrong with those Canadians??"

(Here's a good Foxnews.com article on it.)




I've been a Tobymac fan since the early days of DC Talk. I still have DC Talk, their first release, on cassette.

Toby's music has always been excellent. Listening back to the DC Talk album now, you'd probably wonder why he's even still around. But, you have to remember that back in 1989, there really wasn't many options for "Christian" Hip-hop/Rap music. There were a few other artists around at the time, like D-Boy Rodriguez, but if you google "Christian Rap Artists 1989" most results will say something like "Christian rap artist so-and-so was born on such-and-such date, 1989".

DC Talk was groundbreaking. Each subsequent release from Tobymac, Michael Tait and K-Max (Kevin Max) got even better. When they released Jesus Freak, it was not only groundbreaking, but mind-blowing and redefining for Christian music.



"Steal My Show" - Tobymac

Another cold night
Another late flight
It's almost show time, and Diverse City's waitin' on me
We got a packed house, the crowd is callin' out
They want the beat to drop, but what we really need is You

If You wanna steal my show, I'll sit back and watch You go
If You got somethin' to say, go on and take it away
Need You to steal my show, can't wait to watch You go-oh-oh-oh
So take it away

So now the crowd is hype, that you showed up tonight
Anticipatin', cravin' somethin' more than smoke and lights
So I'll step out the way, I'll give You center stage
Alight
Spotlight
Give 'em what they came for ...

If You wanna steal my show, I'll sit back and watch You go
If You got somethin' to say, go on and take it away
Need You to steal my show, can't wait to watch You go-oh-oh-oh
So take it away

When You arrive, we come to life
Our hearts collide, they're beating in the same time
You're comin' through, all eyes on You
Our hearts collide, they're beating in the same time, beating in the same time

No matter who we are, no matter what we do
Every day we can choose to say...

If You wanna steal my show, I'll sit back and watch You go
If You got somethin' to say, go on and take it away
Need You to steal my show, can't wait to watch You go-oh-oh-oh
So take it away

My life
My plans
My heart
It's all Yours, God
Take it away
My dreams
My fears
My family
My career
Take it away
Take it away
It's all Yours, God
So, take it away
Take it away
It's You I wanna live for

Twitter Experiment

Original Post:
It's my birthday today and I'm conducting a Twitter experiment. I sent the following 2 tweets, followed by @celebritynames or @companynames accordingly. I'll post here the responses I get. It should be interesting. I sent the tweet with over 100 celebrity names and I'm not sure how many companies.

"Lets see if I can get any celebrities to wish me happy birthday..."

"Hmm....Wonder if I can get any companies to send me a b-day gift?"

Do I expect any replies from celebrities? Yeah. Especially the few that I 'converse' with on Twitter regularly. Do I expect replies from companies? Hmmm. Maybe a couple. Maybe I'll be surprised.

---

So far:
Celebrities:
@Bryan_Duncan - "happy B day!! am I late..?" Bryan is the soul-man of Christian music.  In the '70s he was with Sweet Comfort Band and then had a successful solo career. He's still making great music today. I knew he'd be one to respond. He's a really nice guy and very active in social media. I've met Bryan in person - great guy! (Kinda short though) Check him out http://www.bryanduncan.com/

@derekwebb - "yeah, let me know if any celebrities respond. oh, and happy birthday." http://derekwebb.com/ Derek is well known as a member of Caedmon's call and also has had great success as a solo artist.  http://www.derekwebb.com/

@jarretlemaster - "Happy B day man. Have a good one! I don't really count as a celeb but I hope you have a great one:)" Jarret is an old friend of mine. He's done some great music and recently starred in the forthcoming film Turnaround Jake.   (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1185500/ and http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1008542997/turnaround-jake-a-family-friendly-feature-film)

@yoda - "Send you a message that is direct on the Twitter I prefer to do. Wishing you a birthday that is happy I am. Yessss." Do I really need to tell you who Yoda is?  https://www.facebook.com/thatyoda

@adlerdude - "Happy birthday michael! Hope it's a great 1 dude! Sorry for the direct message and not full tweet but I try not to clutter my twit/FB. Pce" Adler is a local (Birmingham, AL) radio phenom. He can be heard on The Rick & Bubba Show and also has his own show on WZZK.

@DuncanPhillips - "Happy Birthday!" Duncan is a long-time member of one of the greatest bands ever - The Newsboys!

@scribblepotemus - "RT @Michaeldx: Lets see if I can get any celebrities to wish me happy birthday/. Happy Birthday!" Dan is the lead vocalist for Jars Of Clay. He's also in The Hawk In Paris.

@michaelhsweet - "@Michaeldx - Happy Birthday Michael:-)" Michael is the lead singer for the legendary band Stryper and he also was the front man for the other legendary band, Boston for a few years. His solo career has been amazing as well. Michael and I have exchanged conversation on twitter several times, he's very active and a pleasure to follow.

@jonwaldenshow - "@Michaeldx Celebrity? Really? Not quite good sir. But I do wish you a Happy Birthday!!!" Jon's a local (Birmingham, AL) radio personality. I've enjoyed meeting him several times and working with him on the Foolish Things concert we did a few years ago.  http://www.myrevradio.com/

@itsDeMarco - "@Michaeldx Hey bro... who u callin' a celebrity?!?! LOL. Enjoy the rest of ur b'day... I'm sure it's been awesome so far! #partytime" Don Juan Demarco Williams was a radio personality on the Rick & Bubba Show here in Birmingham for many years. He left to pursue other interests, but he's still a celebrity in my book. Have you ever heard him laugh??

@triciagoyer - "@Michaeldx happy birthday it's my birthday too" Tricia Goyer is a Christian author. She shares my birthday! Too cool. http://www.triciagoyer.com/

@charliepeacock - "@Michaeldx @michaelhsweet @Bryan_Duncan @BarackObama @360FromTheEdge Any luck? I really though the Edge would comply?" I was first exposed to Charlie's music when he released Lie Down In The Grass in 1984 (I'm listening to this record as I type this) Charlie is nothing short of brilliant. He's done a TON of stuff, way too much to list here, so check out his website!   http://www.charliepeacock.com/

@Donald_Woods - "@Michaeldx Happy Birthday!" I learned about Donald because he is the brother of @ayieshawoods and, well, just click this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIrki-McYyM&feature=youtu.be No. really. Click it.

@winterjamtour - "@Michaeldx @timtebow @turbine @tyburkum @usairforce @whitehouse happy birthday!" Winter Jam Tour is a way too cool tour of multiple Christian artists. They come around the country every year and rock. My friend also works for them :) http://www.jamtour.com/

@tonynolanlive - "@Michaeldx happy B-day" Tony is a minister, author and speaker. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend going to see him. http://tonynolan.org/

@BennyHesterNow -  "@Michaeldx I wish you a Happy Birthday too!" Benny Hester is perhaps best known for his song When God Ran. He's a great musician. http://bennyhester.com/

@SamLuminate - "@Michaeldx happy late birthday!!! :)" Sam's the lead vocalist for the band Luminate

@RichMullinsfilm: @Michaeldx happy late birthday

Companies:
@lotro - "Happy Birthday! Check your DMs." and yes, they sent me something. :)

@UltimateEars "#HappyBirthday @Michaeldx we'll send you UE350vi earphones! DM us UR address"

@DynInc - "@Michaeldx Are you a user of Dyn? If so whats the username?"
@DynInc - "@Michaeldx http://twitvid.com/U8BFC From a Portsmouth NH Dyntini with love."
@DynInc - "@Michaeldx we're just getting started. Can you email me your mailing address?"
@DynInc - "@michaeldx Happy birthday from @Ryohara on the mean streets of Boston http://twitvid.com/42XIY"

@goteerecords - "@Michaeldx possibly. DM us your address."

Other interesting responses:

@rgreenlaw - "Doh, why didn't I tell them about my birthday last month....anyway, hope you have a good one. "

@jalingion - "@lotro @Michaeldx i should had thought of that 3 weeks ago lol ;p"

@lotrojol - "@lotro @Michaeldx Oh ! It's my unbirthday today !"

@pinoymmo - "@lotro @Michaeldx it's my fake birthday, can i have a fake gift? lol"

@musicgeekchic - "@Michaeldx I'm not a celebrity, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

@lilyluelotro -"RT (lotro): @michaeldx Happy Birthday! Check your DMs. http://bit.ly/LoQixn #lotro"

@s_leeann - "@lotro @Michaeldx Happy Birthday! I should have tried this on Sunday :)"

@RebeccaLongwell - "@Michaeldx Happy Birthday! :)"

@BrokenPisces - "@Michaeldx I don't know you but happy birthday! And neat use of twitter on your bday! Hope you get lots of responses."

@anadanirepo - "@Michaeldx I'm not @michaelhsweet but I also wish you a happy and blessed birthday!"

@DavidMartinTX - "@michaelhsweet @Michaeldx //wow no pressure. :)"

@Letters4TheLord - "RT Michaeldx: @charliepeacock @Bryan_Duncan & @michaelhsweet replied.Expected them to,though.I 'converse' with them on twitter occasionally. Cool tweeps!"

---

UPDATE:
Wow this turned out to be a really cool experiment! Got way more responses than I was expecting, and actually got some gifts from some companies. Several celebrities wished me a happy birthday too!

Some responses were really surprising. Dyn, Inc. employees made a couple of videos wishing me happy birthday (http://twitvid.com/U8BFC and http://twitvid.com/42XIY). Apparently they are sending me something in the mail too! I don't know what, but whatever it is, it's cool that they'd go to the trouble and it's much appreciated!

Another big surprise was from Ultimate Ears. They're sending me a really cool pair of earphones!

Turbine, the makers of Lord Of The Rings Online gifted me 500 Turbine points.

Why would any company send me anything based on a simple Twitter post? After all if they do it for one person, shouldn't they be afraid that everyone will expect the same treatment? I can think of a few reasons:

• They have really cool employees
• They care about their customers (or potential customers) I've been a customer of Turbine since LOTRO beta and am a lifetime/founder subscriber. 
• A smart company realizes that word-of-mouth is HUGE (and free!) advertising. A person that shares their opinion of a company's products or services goes a long way toward convincing others to use them. The companies above got multiple tweets from me today, and they know I'll be talking to others about this for a long time. I'll definitely be a loyal re-tweeter of these companies. My tweets generated retweets or responses from other people (see posts below). Plus, you're reading this, right?
• Treating customers (or potential customers) well ensures repeat or new business. I'm a customer using Dyn's free services, yet they're treating me like I've spent a ton of money with them. They can rest assured that when I need any of the other services that they provide, they have my patronage. They can also rest assured that I'll be recommending them to others when I hear of needs that Dyn can provide. The same goes for Ultimate Ears.
• They probably found my request to be unique and maybe a little bold.

And why would any celebrity take the time to say happy birthday? Surely hundreds of adoring fans ask them for tweets and retweets every day. It must be tiring for them to be inundated with all these requests. Yet, I got responses from several. My criteria for considering someone a celebrity was that they had to have been an actor on TV or movies, a radio personality, a 'published' musician or author, or other famous person/character such as a politician. As you can see from their responses, several of them don't consider themselves 'celebrities', but as I told @jarretlemaster, celebrity is in the eye of the beholder. :) So why would any celebrity respond to me anyway?

• They're really nice people
• They care about their fans. After all, without fans they wouldn't be celebrities anyway!
• They get a little extra exposure

I got a ton of retweets and replies. I got at least 8 new followers. I got 1 Favorited tweet. It's been really fun to watch what happened with this. I may do it again next year!

---

UPDATE 8/8/12:
Absolute coolness came to my house today in the form of Ultimate Ears headphones. I've only had time to listen to 3 songs on them, but I can already tell these are easily the best earphones I've ever listened to. Wow. They're super comfortable too. The bass is sublime.

I was beginning to wonder if they'd show up or not. Maybe they forgot. Maybe their shipping department was sleeping. But I tweeted to them a couple days ago and suddenly the box appeared, overnight UPS. Thanks UE. You rock! (Literally)
Check these babies out:

UPDATE 7/26/12:

Dyn's birthday package arrived today. Check this out! They sent me a ton of stuff, and a birthday card. I don't know why Brent told me to "Get well soon" but I got great after opening this package! Lara wished me a 'Happy Burpday" - somehow she knows me too well. :) These people are too cool. What a great company!

• 2 t-shirts, one of which is sexy (see pic).
• 3 drink cozies
• 3 bottle can openers
• a bunch of stickers
• 2 sunglasses
• headphones
• a glowy necklace thingy
• 3 Free Music Sampler cards
• a personalized birthday card (aka burpday card)

UPDATE 7/23/12:
@goteerecords  is the first company that actually delivered something (other than the game code that @lotro sent via DM). Check out what they sent me! Gotee Records Rocks!

• A Gotee Records bracelet
• A House Of Heroes bracelet
• A House Of Heroes CD
• A House Of Heroes pin
• An Abandon Kansas CD