Song Lists

The Songs Of Christmas - It's Christmas

It seems the minute Halloween is over and kids are either bouncing off walls or groaning from sugar-induced stomachaches, retail stores rush into overhaul mode. Out goes decorative pumpkins, fall paper foliage, and other autumn-colored accents. In comes a blinding array of red and green product. Holiday music blares through speakers. Aisle shelves are suffocated by wrapping paper, decorations and batteries, flanked by brazen signs promising to beat competitors' prices. To some, it can be groan worthy. Seeing Christmas décor plastered all over stores brings with it a sense of doom. It's easy to envision long lines at the check out counter, unbearable traffic, the hassle of battling crowds for the perfect gift, and rising credit card bills. And it's just as easy to brush past the magic. The wonder. The joy. The miracle. The celebration. Let's not forgetIn the middle of the crazinessRemember thisJesus is the reasonFor this time of the year Every year we are warned against the sins of commercialism. We are told to stop focusing on presents, decorating, and spending money. Point taken. But it can be tempting to get distracted by the warnings ad nauseam and miss out on the joys of celebrating. Heaven and earth proclaimCome on, let's celebrateIt's Christmas Think about this. Jesus wasn't born in the best of circumstances. The political rule was like a dictatorship. Most people were struggling to get by financially. The folks who were waiting for Jesus expected nothing less than a Rambo-like warrior. So Jesus shows up in the midst of shaky times, deflating some expectations, and with barnyard animals and the stench of manure accompanying his teenage mom in labor. Not the best kind of set up for a promised Messiah. But wait. It's time to celebrate! Heaven rejoiced. Angels whooped and hollered, shouting out praises. The angel of the Lord appeared to unassuming shepherds and said, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10 NLT). Good news and great joy! Then a host of other angels came on the scene and joined the festivities shouting, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth” (Luke 2:14 NLT). It was a time of worship. Praise. Thanksgiving. Celebration. So instead of feeling condemned, annoyed, or frustrated by overzealous retailers, mad shoppers, or Bah Humbug-ers, celebrate! Celebrate Christmas with a spirit of adoration and joy. Celebrate by stringing up twinkling lights on your front door. Celebrate by humming the tunes of Nat King Cole and “Silent Night.” Celebrate by giving to those in need. If you need to, dial back your trips to the mall and spending habits. And, of course, keep your perspective in check. But don't let the grumblings of commercialism keep you from celebrating the One who came to give you the greatest gift—eternal life. Inspired by the song It's Christmas by Mandisa. Original post featured on YouVersion.

Song List
The Songs Of Christmas - The Heart Of Christmas

It's ironic that December is always the busiest month of the year. There are gifts to be bought, trees to be trimmed, parties to be hosted and tables to be set. It seems there's never enough time to get it all done. What should be a joyful season of celebration becomes a stressful season full of unrealistic expectations and commercialism. Instead of making time for reflection, we fill our December with a string of to-do items and holiday functions, rarely even taking time to rest. Isn't that just like Satan? Robbing us of every spare minute we might have to realize the true meaning of Christmas? Yet, every year Christmas remains a call to stop, reflect, rest and stand in awe of the One it's all for. The world can get really still beneath the glow of tiny twinkling lights. And if we take the time to listen, we can hear His still, small voice telling us what it's all about. In the shadow of a steeple In a star that lights the way You will find Him in a manger The heart of Christmas has a name. He tells us to give. To laugh. To love. To remember. He calls us to marvel at the wonder that's wrapped up in a tiny newborn lying in a manger. Son of God, Son of Man. The greatest of gifts in human flesh. For you, for me, for all the world. Let's make it feel the way it used to Let's find that wonder of a child You can see the magic all around you Come on, and open up your eyes. Year after year, His message is the same: Come. Rest. Live. Love. Like a child. This Christmas, be still. Rest in His promises. Ready yourself for the New Year. Keep the ones you love close, and cherish every moment. Allow yourself to bask in the wonder of the season and experience it all through the eyes of His child. “And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'” (Matthew 18:2-4, ESV) Based on the song The Heart of Christmas by Matthew West. Original post by The Overflow featured on YouVersion.

Song List
The Songs Of Christmas - Go Tell It On The Mountain

Think of a story you were excited to tell someone recently. What was it about that story? Most of the time, we were moved in some way by an event or conversation and we just had to share with someone else. Think of the stories that have endured through the ages. They're the ones told from one generation to the next because they resonate with us in such deep, meaningful ways. They inspire us. They give us hope and strength. We see ourselves in them because they move us. From His birth to His death, the story of Jesus was one that compelled those around Him to retell their experiences with Him. The gospel story is often referred to as the “good news” but as Christians, we know that it is actually the best news. It is a story that moved those closest to it and continues to resonate with us today. The birth of Jesus is the beginning of the greatest story ever told. The song speaks with a sweet simplicity in the third stanza: “Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn.” The wise men came to hear it and spread the word to foreign lands. The shepherds were so moved by what they witnessed that they ran and told everyone who would listen. The Gospel of Luke reads, “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:17-18) We can tell how much we are impacted by the Christmas story by how much we share the story. After all, we continue to share stories that have truly moved us day after day. Perhaps this season is about realizing once again the incredible story of the birth of Jesus in a fresh way – one that moves us to share with the same wonder and energy who were on the scene in those early days. It is this same Jesus who left His followers with the words, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) We are called to share the greatest story of all. This Christmas season, may you find yourself moved once more by the ultimate gift of love and share the joy with others. Inspired by the song Go Tell It On The Mountain by David Crowder Band. Original post featured on YouVersion.

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