Stories behind the CAROLS - Sunday Dec. 2, 2007

What is a Carol anyway?

A song of praise or joy, especially for Christmas.
An old round dance often accompanied by singing.
To sing in a loud, joyous manner.
To go from house to house singing Christmas songs.
To celebrate in or as if in song: caroling the victory.
To sing loudly and joyously.

"O Come All Ye Faithful"
Also known in Latin as "Adeste Fidelis", this Christmas carol is credited to an English hymnist named John Francis Wade (1711-1786).
Click here to read more about the history of the song:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adeste_Fideles
Click here to listen to Bianca Ryan sing the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I8XAf4Rwa4
Click here to hear a traditional setting:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZKp4npV47Q&feature=related

"Lord I lift Your Name on High"
Rick Founds wrote this song.
It was written in 1989 during Found's morning devotion. Having developed the habit of playing guitar while watching television, he found it very natural to play while reading Scripture on his computer monitor.
"I'd just reach over and grab my guitar," he recalls. "I'd plunk along with whatever I was reading that day."
He remembers marveling one early morning at the love of God who created the world though He knew we would rebel and fall. It amazed Rick that God had a plan to redeem us from the very beginning. As Founds meditated over his cyber-Bible and touched his guitar strings, God's plan struck him as something of a cycle.
He thought of the cycle of rain that comes down, waters the earth, evaporates back into the clouds and then returns.
Suddenly, the now famous chorus emerged: "You came from heaven to earth to show the way / From the earth to the cross my debt to pay / From the cross to the grave / From the grave to the sky..." Interrupting his own lyric, Founds explains, "The response to grasping even a little bit of that knowledge is praise, and thanksgiving and gratitude!" When he completes the line, 'Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,' a moment of silent awe follows.

Click here to read more about this Carol
www.ccli.com/WorshipResources/SongStories.cfm?itemID=11
Click here to worship along with Rick Founds
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBezK_v_FqY
Click here to worship along with the group Petra:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cx5YmS7GXQ&feature=related
Click here to worship along with some great images:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OF5iaFNE7Q


"Unto the Lamb"
This great worship song was written by Brian Ming, worship director for CHRIST FOR THE NATIONS in Dallas.
Here is Brians' testimony in his own words:
Recently, God has called me out to the body of Christ to impart at local churches, at conferences, and various events. I feel called, not to one exclusive organization, or denomination, but to go where He opens the door. If you are interested in having me, my wife, and/or team come, send me a message. Well, a little background on me.....I've been in full time ministry since the age of 19yrs old (unless you count playing the drums for my parents church at age 9). I was youth pastor, college pastor, music pastor, young adults district cordinator, masters commission director, and the list goes on & on. I pioneered a lot of cool ministries (with the help of amazing people that God put around me).....I love working with young people who are passionate for Christ! We had a group that traveled all over the country leading people to the Lord through worship & dramas. God has allowed me to accomplish many things at a young age. I am very excited at what He is doing in my life NOW! I am currently the worship leader at Christ for Nations Institute & I have the privilege of being around some awesome students! God has put a desire in my heart to challenge this next generation to make a difference in their world, with a life of worship. As well as ministry on the platform, I feel just as called and anointed to be a loving husband to my beautiful wife Kristen, and a father to three amazing children.

Click here to worship along with Brian Ming - the song is on his stand-alone player
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=185732641


"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,

Sin..ce 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"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Bells
Click here to listen to John Denver sing "Silver Bells"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=djfgoGAEU4E


"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"
In 1738, the love and grace of God gripped the heart of Charles Wesley, and he actively sought to share the knowledge of His love with others. Charles wrote over 6000 hymns, including "Christ the Lord is risen today," "Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing," "Jesus Lover of My Soul" and "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling."

In this Christmas carol, "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus," Wesley makes many references to who Jesus is and what He can mean to those who believe on Him. Take time to consider this carol of anticipation and fulfillment.

Click here to listen to a Bagpipe arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PuVoYnhcbU
Click here to listen to a great Pipe organ arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbgbS42n_U8
Click here to listen to a solo arrangement with guitar
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCCy9MvdHSQ

"Tell me the Story of Jesus"
This great hymn was written by Fanny Crosby, here is some short information on her testimony:
The story of Fanny Crosby is one of sorrow, yet of the deepest love. At the age of six weeks old, Fanny developed an eye infection. The family physician was unavailable so another physician was called. He applied hot mustard poultices to the baby’s eyes. This caused severe burns to Fanny’s eyes and she was permanently blind from then on.Fanny never felt bitter but instead grew into a young woman who “saw” God in everything around her and in every circumstance that life handed to her. Although she was physically blind, Fanny had the keenest of spiritual sight…which is reflected in her 9,000 plus hymns. Her love for God and her eagerness to share with others what Christ had done for them brought countless numbers to Christ.


Click here to hear a gaither video of the song great harmony:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cclh18f3Fc4
Click here to hear a great trio sing the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JezvAf3PGfU


"The First Noel"
The word Nowell comes from the French word Noël meaning "Christmas", from the Latin word natalis ("birth"). It may also be from the Gaulish words "noio" or "neu" meaning "new" and "helle" meaning "light" referring to the winter solstice when sunlight begins overtaking darkness.

Click here to read more about the song:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_No%C3%ABl#Animaniacs_parody
Click here to listen to Clay Aiken sing the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJhlB-CzCsc
Click here to hear Helmut Lotti sing the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=We4xRHMuCNg&feature=related
** Click here for an interesting arrangement - one person, two guitars: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cyWiw3cSOI



"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