Thursday, December 6, 2007

Stories behind the Carols - Sunday Dec. 9, 2007

"Glory to God in the Highest"
This gospel song was written by Daryl Williams. Click here to read more about his trio and Daryls' ministry:
http://darylwilliamstrio.net/index.php
Click here to listen to the Old Friends quartet sing the song on a Gaither video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tYaI7UL_NE
Click here to hear Ernie Hasses' quartet sing the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKMrhp5uS3g

"Everlasting"
Brenton Brown wrote this song after both he and his wife had being diagnosed with Chronic fatigue syndromeGreat song by Brenton Brown, check him out here. http://www.brentonbrownmusic.com/
Click here to listen to him share about how the song came about
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YePOcs88kqw
Click here to listen to Lincoln Brewsters' arrangement
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM&mode=related&search=
Click here to listen to Brenton Brown & Paul Baloche
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bLWwnVBuF8

"Angels From the Realms of Glory"
James Montgomery was the son of Missionaries who went to the West Indies and left their son in a boarding school when he was only 6 years old. While his devout parents shared the gospel, their son was shuttled from home to home. He failed at school. He failed as a baker's apprentice. But, he could write poetry. In time, he worked for The Sheffield Register, a radical newspaper which he later bought out and renamed, The Iris. Because of addressing sensitive political issues in his paper, twice Mr. Montgomery was fined and imprisoned.On Christmas Eve, 1816, at the age of 45, James published his poem, "Angels from the realms of glory," in his paper.The stirring tune, Regent Square came from the pen of the blind musician composer, Henry Smart who was born in 1813 and lived until 1879. The name Regent Square was taken from the most prominent Presbyterian Church in London. Montgomery produced more than 400 hymns, surpassed only by Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts in the number of hymns now in general use throughout Christendom.
Click here to listen to an organ arrangement with Chimes
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-t7koyC9QE&feature=related

"This is Christmas"
These are great words set to the tune of "Silver Bells". I'm really not sure where I got the words, but because the tune is so familiar, it works well in worship. Here are the alternate christmas lyrics that can be sung to "Silver Bells".

"This is Christmas, This is Christmas
Every pure heart is filled,

with a song that is praising the Saviour
For the glory and the blessing

that has brightened our way,
Since Jesus was born on that day
Wonderful (echo) Counselor (echo)
Down from His throne to a manger
Mighty God (echo) Prince of Peace (echo)
Soon he is coming again"

Click here to read more about the song "Silver Bells"
Click here to listen to John Denver sing "Silver Bells"


"Good Christian men Rejoice"
This is a 14th Century Latin carol, translated by John M. Neale (1818-1866). The original Latin title of this song is "In Dulci Jubilo" meaning "in sweet shouting". This is known as a "macaronic carol" because it combines 2 or more languages. In this case, German and Latin.........with a 19th Century English rendering by Mr. Neale.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Dulci_Jubilo
Click here to hear a brass arrangement
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftdtocjj7i4

"One Day"
This is a new arrangement of an old hymn by Michael Bleaker worship pastor at the Village church in Flower Mound. The words were penned by J. Wilbur Chapman.Click here to play the song - scroll down to new worship songs
www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php
Michael on worship:
"At the Village church , we believe that worship is our response - both personal and corporate - to God for Who He is and what He has done, expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live."
One day when Heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my Example is He!
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever;
One day He’s coming—O glorious day!
One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected:
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!
One day they left Him alone in the garden,
One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o’er His tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He!
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore!
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glories will shine;
Wonderful day, my belovèd ones bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!

Offertory "Breath of Heaven"
Amy Grant wrote this song. In 1992 she produced her second studio Christmas album, Home For Christmas. The album was a smash success, going multi-platinum and earning acclaim for its large symphonic arrangements. "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)", a song which told the nativity story from Mary's perspective, was one of the album's biggest successes. Grant had been pregnant with her third child, Sarah Chapman, during the writing of the song and has said that she was inspired by her pregnancy to reflect on Mary's struggle.
click here to hear Amy Grant sing this song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2egKS4d1oI
Click here to see sign-language of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrYVd5h5bro&feature=related

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