Christmas Song #17 - Christmas This Year

Toby Mac has been making music since I was a teen (okay maybe not that long) He has been a solid, consistent artist in the Christian circuit that has walked the walk and talked the talk.  I think you will enjoy this new holiday song and the nice little hip hop beat it brings - this is a great tune to get yourself all ready to decorate the tree or wrap gifts or best yet - make some holiday cookies!  Enjoy your day!

As fall rides off in the sunset
I sweep the snow from my doorstep
I just can't help but stop and grin
It's like I'm ten years old again
And everywhere I go I can feel it

Some say it moves like a spirit
It falls on us once a year
Like it came on a midnight clear
It's all love
The season is a gift
When love came down to let us live
Let's open up and let our hearts embrace this moment

For Christmas this year
Gonna make a sound
Gonna make it loud
For Christmas this year
We're gonna make some noise
Let the world rejoice
For Christmas this year
For Christmas
For Christmas this year

The laughter starts before the sunrise
I sneak downstairs at the sparklin' lights
And oh what joy it brings to me
Our family around our Christmas tree
And I thank the Lord for His favor
As we sing the songs of the Savior
Our Savior

It's all love
The season is a gift
When love came down to let us live
Let's open up and let our hearts embrace this moment

For Christmas this year
Gonna make a sound
Gonna make it loud
For Christmas this year
We're gonna make some noise
Let the world rejoice
For Christmas this year
For Christmas
For Christmas this year

Holy Holy holy
God is coming near
Unto us a Savior born
On a midnight clear

Holy Holy holy
God is coming near
Unto us a savior born
On a midnight clear
Oh

For Christmas this year
Gonna make a sound
Gonna make it loud
For Christmas this year
We're gonna make some noise
Let the world rejoice
For Christmas this year
For Christmas
For Christmas this year

For Christmas this year
Gonna make a sound
Gonna make it loud
For Christmas this year
We're gonna make some noise
Let the world rejoice
For Christmas this year
For Christmas
For Christmas this year

Holy Holy holy
God is coming near
Unto us a savior born
On a midnight clear

Christmas Song #16 - Immanuel Our God is with us

This past week we had the joy of reconnecting with some great friends!  One of the families that we had the blessing of staying with was Denny & Sue Shaffner.  We love their hospitality, their warm inviting home, and the heart felt fellowship!  As the evening was drawing to a close and our little one was getting ready to fall asleep Denny pulled out his guitar to play for her a lullaby.... it didn't stop there we continued to sing well after Ella went to bed.  This song was a song that we were trying to remember how it went, so this one is dedicated to our beloved Shaffner friends!  You are a gift to us!!

Our God is with!  If God is with us, who can stand against us!  What a promise!!!
A sign shall be given
A virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing
Undiminished deity
The glory of the nations
A light for all to see
That hope for all who will embrace
His warm reality

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel

For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel

So what will be your answer?
Will you hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His son
But gave him for us all
On earth there is no power
There is no depth or height
That could ever separate us
From the love of God in Christ

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel 

Christmas Song #15 - There is a Star

Since I am having to double up on a couple days this week since I didn't blog while I was away I thought I would stay with my theme and this time do another Children's lullaby with a little cartoon sheep this song having a spiritual message to it.  Sit and enjoy the soft melody!

Christmas Song #14 - I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Today's song is for the kids and kids at heart!  Never heard this song before but it is so cute and I can just picture Ella singing this song when she can actually say the word - right now we just think it is funny she thinks that every animal says Baaa!!!  Enjoy this song as you start out your week!  Let your day be filled with joy in the little things - like kids singing a song about a hippo!

Christmas Song #13 - Hope Was Born That Night

This song seems to be most fitting as I was looking for a Christmas song that would be an encouragement in the midst of hurt, mourning and grief.  During those times the thing we desire the most is Hope - the hope that something good will come out of a horrific tragedy - hope that some how God will bring healing with time and trusting - hope that when we have nothing left - we have Jesus!  Cling to that hope this Christmas season!

Tonight I can see a star shine
And its splendor fills up the sky
It's the samethat appeared
And the wisemen revered
When Hope was born this night

Out upon the snowy fields
There's a silent peace that heals
And it echoes the grace
Of our Savior's embrace
Because Hope was born this night

Glory to God in the highest
Peace on earth
Goodwill to men
Let all of the world
Sing the chorus of joy
Because Hope was born this night

I can hear the Christmas bells ringing
As softly a church choir sings
It's the song used to praise
The ancient of days
When Hope was born this night

There are angels in this place
And my heart resounds in the praise
Like a shepherd so scared
I'll rejoice and declare
That Hope was born this night

Glory to God in the highest
Peace on earth
Goodwill to men
Let all of the world
Sing the chorus of joy
Because Hope was born this night

Gloria (x 4) (repeat)

Glory to God in the highest
Peace on earth
Goodwill to men
Let all of the world
Sing the chorus of joy
Because Hope was born this night
(repeat)

I know hope was born this night
Because Christ was born this night

Christmas Song - #12 Here with Us

The song today is Here with us by Joy Williams - this song was a suggestion by one of my favorite GWC summer staffers Gabe Schott.  I hope you enjoy the song.  The lyrics tell it all!

Hallelujah - which means praise the Lord!  Let that be resounded in your hearts today and throughout the holiday season!  Praise the Lord the child born is the one who will save us!!!  

It's still a mystery to me 
That the hands of God could be so small, 
How tiny fingers reaching in the night 
Were the very hands that measured the sky 

Chorus 
Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world 
Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Son of God, Servant King, 
You're here with us 
You're here with us 

Verse 2 
It's still a mystery to me, oh, 
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time 
How His ears have heard an angel's symphony, 
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep 

Chorus 
Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world 
Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Son of God, Servant King 
Here with us 
You're here with us 
(Ohh, mmm, here with us) 

Bridge 
Jesus the Christ, born in Bethlehem 
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man 

Chorus (2x) 
Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world 
Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Son of God, Servant King 
You're here with us 
You're here with us

Christmas Song #11 - Rise and Shine

Love this song!!  From cardboard pirate ships to the cross of Christ - this song covers it all.  Going back and forth between a modern day family remember the joys of Christmas time, to the joys of the Christmas morning at the birth of Jesus.

But then it continues to reflect through the easter season, because the virgin birth though miraculous, is not complete until you follow the story of Christ through to the cross and best yet the resurrection.  So take time today not to just celebrate His birth but also to celebrate his conquering death on the cross for our sins!!

The video today doesn't have any pictures other than the album cover so as you listen to the song - I encourage you to follow along with the lyrics below.

I remember how the shepherds lay in slumber 
And the angels came and broke them from their dreams 
And Mary raised her weary head 
And Joseph stood there grinning 
When the world awoke to the coming of a king 

But there were haystacks in his palace 
And a manger was his throne 
And the hillside never shined so bright 
As early Christmas morning 
You could almost hear the very heavens sing 

They sang, "Rise, rise and shine 
The sun is coming in 
And the morning light is shining in 
Your eyes, rise and shine 
The day is coming on 
And you know the night is gone so rise" 

I remember how the sunlight turned to thunder 
And the people ran for shelter from the rain 
And the curtain tore and the saints awoke 
And the whole earth seemed to tremble 
From the fury of God's anger 
Or was it the fury of his love? 

There were shadows on the tomb there in the garden 
And the mist was rising slowly through the trees 
And when Mary saw the silhouette on early Easter morning 
I remember how he smiled at her and said 

He said, "Rise, rise and shine 
The sun is coming in 
And the morning light is shining in 
Your eyes, rise and shine 
The day is coming on 
And you know the night is gone so rise"

Christmas Song - #10 - Sing Mary Sing

Here is a song recommended my a good buddy Chris Bartley.  I think somewhere in my stack of CDs I may even have this album and it totally got lost on my Christmas music radar so thanks for the recommendation and the reminder!  I have no doubt that Mary sang!  As much as I love to sing to my baby girl,  I am sure she loved to Sing to her King!  Though the video quality is not the best, the words and the lyrics are catchy!

Mary Had A Baby Born In A Manger 

Mary What To Do, Mary What To Do?
Before The Vow Was Made,
In Her Belly Laid The King

CHORUS:
Sing Mary, Sing
Lullabye The King
Born To Be Our Pardon
No Longer Shall We Weep
Come Soften What Was Hardened
Sing Mary, Sing

Herod With A Vision Out With A Vengeance
Mary What To Do, Mary What To Do?
Flee To Galilee
Raise A Baby King Of Peace

CHORUS

Mary In Your Mourning
Turn Now As You Weep
Look To See A Savior
O, Sing Mary, Sing!
Sing Mary, Sing!

Christmas Song # 9 - Christmas Song DMB

A friend recommended this song - so I thought I would check it out - it is by Dave Matthew's Band.  It is the story of the Nativity, and human nature and depravity all wrapped into one song.  Would love to hear you thoughts on it.  Check out the lyrics below.

She was his girl; he was her boyfriend 
She be his wife; take him as her husband 
A surprise on the way, any day, any day 
One healthy little giggling dribbling baby boy 
The wise men came three made their way 
To shower him with love 
While he lay in the hay 
Shower him with love love love 
Love love love 
Love love is all around 
Not very much of his childhood was known 
Kept his mother Mary worried 
Always out on his own 
He met another Mary for a reasonable fee, less than 
Reputable as known to be 

His heart was full of love love love 
Love love love 
Love love is all around 
When Jesus Christ was nailed to the his tree 
Said "oh, Daddy-o I can see how it all soon will be 
I came to she'd a little light on this darkening scene 
Instead I fear I spill the blood of my children all around" 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/dave+matthews+band/christmas+song_20036600.html ] 
The blood of our children all around 
The blood of our children all around 
The blood of our children all around 
So the story goes, so I'm told 
The people he knew were 
Less than golden hearted 
Gamblers and robbers 
Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers 
Like you and me 

Rumors insisited he soon would be 
For his deviations 
Taken into custody by the authorities 
Less informed than he. 
Drinkers and jokers. all soul searchers 
Searching for love love love 
Love love love 
Love love is all around 

Preparations were made 
For his celebration day 
He said "eat this bread and think of it as me 
Drink this wine and dream it will be 
The blood of our children all around 
The blood of our children all around" 
The blood of our children all around 

Father up above, why in all this anger have you fill 
Me up with love 
Fill me love love love 
Love love love 
Love love 
And the blood of our children all around