Go, Tell It On The Mountain (1907), by John Work, Jr
O Come, All Ye Faithful (1841), by Frederick Oakeley & John Francis Wade
The First Noel (1833), by Traditional French Carol
Hope Has Come (2006), by Stephen Altrogge From the Sovereign Grace CD, "Savior: Celebrating the Mystery of God Become Man" Download MP3 for this song here
Silent Night (1820), by Joseph Mohr & Franz Gruber
All Creation Sings (Joy To The World) (2008), by George Frederick Handel, Isaac Watts & Steve Fee Download MP3 for this song here
It is fascinating to me how polarizing Christmas music can be for many people. For some, holiday decorations start coming out of storage well before Thanksgiving, and a few months of Christmas music is just about right. For others, singing "Silent Night" anytime before Christmas Eve is too much.
To find a middle ground, I am always looking for new Christmas music that offers lyrical depth with a modern worship sound. The story of Christ's birth and the hope He brings is powerful, but much of our modern Christmas music falls into the trap of sounding trite, or "Christmassy" in the most commercial sense.
I was happy to find a recent CD from Sovereign Grace ministries that provides some great new worship songs around the theme of Jesus' birth. "Savior: Celebrating the Mystery of God Becoming Man" offers several compelling songs for worship, written by Mark Altrogge, Stephen Altrogge, Bob Kauflin and others, that transcend the typical Christmas CD offering. We have been singing one of these songs, "Hope Has Come", by Stephen Altrogge, for the last several weeks at Discovery.
"Hope Has Come" is a driving, upbeat song of worship that proclaims the hope and salvation we have in Christ. It reminds us that the birth of Jesus is about the power of God to save us from our sins. Even a casual observer of the recent U.S. presidential election understands that people everywhere are longing for Hope. This song of worship is about the hope we have in Christ Jesus, a promise that is far better than anything this world has to offer. Here is the chorus of the song:
Alleluia, Hope has come. Alleluia, Christ has come. We once were slaves in misery Till You appeared and set us free. Alleluia, Hope has come.
I asked Stephen if he would share a few words about his song, and he graciously agreed. I hope you are blessed by his thoughts and this song of hope.
"When I wrote the song 'Hope Has Come' I was trying to capture the image of light breaking into darkness, of hope breaking into a sin-sick world. Apart from Christ we were hopeless, lost, and without hope. We were sinners bound up in chains without any prospect of freedom. But praise God, he didn't leave us in our hopeless state. Hope has come into this hopeless world, light has shined in the darkness! This hope is Jesus Christ. That's what we celebrate at Christmas." - Stephen Altrogge
You can listen to "Hope Has Come" at Stephen Altrogge's MySpace site here, or you can download the MP3 from Amazon here. The song can also be found on the Sovereign Grace Christmas CD, "Savior: Celebrating the Mystery of God Becoming Man", available from the Sovereign Grace store here.
We all make mistakes. I certainly make my share of them. Anyone at Discovery Church on Sunday who saw the band smirking at me during the closing song would probably realize I was in the middle of a big mistake.
I had just accompanied Louise on piano for a song at the close of the message, after which we launched into the closing song. The problem was I'd used the transpose function on the keyboard to put the song in a more comfortable range for the soloist and forgot to move it back up before starting the congregational song. As a result, I was playing the song in one key - the wrong key - while the band was trying to play in the right key.
The band immediately realized what was going on and were able to adapt, so not many people knew what happened. The experience, however, reinforced what I already knew to be true. Shortcuts often lead to trouble. We try to cut corners and save time and only end up hurting for it.
Bob Kauflin, the Director of Worship Development at Sovereign Grace Ministries, and author of the Worship Matters blog, posted a hirlarious video yesterday that hit home for me. You can read his post here. Bob reminds us that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians:
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Take it from someone who has learned by hard experience: avoid the shortcuts. But if you do not, and if you fail, know that God's love for you will not waver. He will lift you up and set your feet on solid ground, and put a new song in your heart. Let's glorify the one who can use these imperfect vessels to do his work and draw all people to himself.
"God of love and everlasting patience, I praise you for your kindness toward me. You know my weaknesses, and yet you love me. You knew my sins, and yet you saved me. Let your name be glorified in all that I do. Even in my weakness, and even when I fall, you are strong and your purposes will prevail. Show me the plans you've prepared for me, God, and lead me by the light of your truth. I commit my life and my life's work to you for your honor and glory, forever. Amen."
Hope Has Come (2006), by Stephen Altrogge From the Sovereign Grace CD, "Savior: Celebrating the Mystery of God Become Man" Download MP3 for this song here
Angels We Have Heard On High (1862), by Edward Barnes & James Chadwick
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (1739), by Charles Wesley &Felix Mendelssohn
Away In A Manger (1887), by Martin Luther, John McFarland & James Murray
Away In A Manger (Cradle Song) (1895), by Martin Luther, John McFarland & William Kirkpatrick
Note: Following the message, Louise Allen sang "Mary, Did You Know" by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. You can download an mp3 of this song from Amazon here.
I hadn't been looking forward to the flight from Minneapolis to Sacramento today, but I found the trip to be considerably more pleasant than I'd anticipated. As the flight was preparing for departure, a man came down the aisle and asked if I would mind trading seats with him so he could sit next to his friend in the row across from me.
"I'm in seat 1-B," he said.
"You mean first class?" I asked him.
"Yeah," he said.
"Uh, sure... thanks." I said.
Well, who was I to prevent him from sitting by his friend? It took me all of twenty seconds to collect my things and settle into my new seat. A comfortable leather seat for the trip, a nice omelet for breakfast, and the three hour flight literally flew by. (Sorry...couldn't resist the pun.)
As I was sitting in first class, I remembered something Wayne mentioned in one of his sermons recently about Albert Schweitzer, the philosopher, theologian, musician, and medical missionary. A reporter once met Albert Schweitzer at a train station and was surprised to find him riding in third class. The reporter asked the doctor why he rode in third class. "Because there is no fourth class," was his reply.
Cruising somewhere over South Dakota at thirty thousand feet in the comfort of first class, it occurred to me that the Christmas story is the perfect example of the humility of God. We worship a God who did not separate himself from us, but chose instead to send his Son to be born among us in the most humble of circumstances. In a season when so many are drawn to the material temptations of this world, perhaps what we need most is a new perspective:
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" -- Philippians 2:5-8
Whether you find yourself in first class or coach, remember that Jesus willingly gave up the riches of heaven for the poverty of this world. What will you willingly give up for him today?
"Lord of heaven, sovereign of all, I praise you for your everlasting love toward us, that you would send your son to live among us and die for the sins of the world. Teach me to live like Jesus, humbly following the plans you have prepared for me. Let me heart be content to serve you far from the spotlight of this world, and show me the way of righteousness. I give my dreams and plans to you, and I trust your will for my life, for your glory and honor forever. Amen."
All Creation Sings (Joy To The World) (2008), by George Frederick Handel / Isaac Watts / Steve Fee Download MP3 for this song here
Hope Has Come (2006), by Stephen Altrogge From the Sovereign Grace CD, "Savior: Celebrating the Mystery of God Become Man" Download MP3 for this song here
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (2005), by Traditional, Steven Curtis Chapman From the Steven Curtis Chapman CD, "All I Really Want for Christmas" Download MP3 for this song here
Offering (2003), by Paul Baloche From the Paul Baloche CD, "Offering of Worship" Download MP3 for this song here
Here I Am To Worship (2000), by Tim Hughes From the Tim Hughes CD, "Here I Am To Worship" Download MP3 for this song here
Tommy Walker's songs have been part of our worship at Discovery for many years. From "Only a God Like You" and "That's Why We Praise Him", to "He Knows My Name" and "I Have a Maker", these songs have been favorites of our church family. With the recent release of Tommy Walker's latest CD, "I Have A Hope", we now have a new favorite at Discovery: "Speak to Me".
"Speak To Me" is a reflective, heartfelt song crying out to God for direction in our lives. When we come together on Sunday morning for worship, we often come with baggage from the week and the cares of this world around our shoulders. What we need is to open our hearts to God and listen to the voice of Truth. This new song expresses that sentiment from the very first lines: "I am Your servant, and I am listening. Speak to me, Lord, speak to me."
I found this video on YouTube of a simple cover of "Speak To Me" from one man's private time of worship. I hope this song is a blessing to you today, just as it has been for all of us at Discovery. You can download the mp3 of "Speak To Me" from Tommy Walker's CD, "I Have a Hope", here.
I was craving a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
for breakfast this morning. Odd, I know, but it got me thinking about
some other classic combinations. Cranberry sauce with turkey is a perfect pairing and a veritable Thanksgiving tradition. Pepperoni is fine, but for my money you can't beat a ham and pineapple
pizza. And whoever invented breakfast for dinner is a genius - I'll take
an omelet and hash browns over pot roast any day.
Why peanut butter and jelly? Reading through the Psalms this morning, I came across another classic combination:
One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: That you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. - Psalm 62:11-12
We worship a God that is all powerful and mighty, who spoke worlds into existence, who raised the mountains and carved out the seas. This is a God whose voice echos from the deep, and who calms the storm with a whisper. He brings both famine and flood, and sends the rain on both the just and the unjust.
Yet our God is also loving and compassionate. This is a God who gave part of himself, his own Son, to live as a man among us and show us the way to heaven. He is always patient, not wanting anyone to perish, and he pours out his grace on all people to draw them to himself. Our God is mighty to save.
Alas, we'd run out of bread this morning, so I didn't have peanut butter and jelly for breakfast. But as I head off to work today, I'll be craving something else instead. My desire is to know the One whose combination of strength and love sustains me and guides me with each step. My prayer is that you would know Him, too.
"Lord of all, I praise you for your vast creation, for the strength of your command, and for your power over this world. You created all of this, and set my life in this world so that I would seek you. And you loved me, and sent your son to die for me, even while I was a sinner. Lead me by your love, lift me by your strength, and show me how to live like Jesus. Amen."
We are entering a Christmas season that, for many people, is all about tradition. We put up the tree with the ornaments we got from grandma, we hum the same christmas carols we sang as a kid, and we watch the classic Christmas specials, from Rudolph to Charlie Brown to "It's a Wonderful Life". Many of us have heard the Christmas story so many times we could quote it from memory.
The irony in all this is that for all the trappings of Christmas, it is easier than ever to find ourselves going through the motions without actually connecting to the Lord. We can quote the scriptures, but the words often roll off our tongue without registering their true meaning in our heart.
Reading part of the Christmas story during worship at Discovery yesterday, the idea of "God with us" hit me in a fresh way. We often generalize this phrase as we think about how God came down as a man to live with "us", meaning all of mankind. The mystery of the gospel, however, is that God can make his home in each one of us.
When my brother was very young, he told us that he wanted to pray "like the Jewish people did". We weren't sure what he meant until he explained that he wanted to just talk to God as he walked around, like Tevye did in "Fiddler on the Roof". The truth is, I think this is what God wants for us as well.
When God created Adam and Eve, he would come in the coolness of the evening to walk with them in the garden. Then sin entered the world through Adam and Eve and separated us from fellowship with God. It was at that time that God set in place a plan to reunite us with himself, so that we could once again have fellowship with him: "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son..." (Galatians 4:4).
As you put up your decorations and sing your carols and watch your specials this Christmas, remember that this holiday is about so much more than tradition. It is about the love of a God who wants to be "with us", who wants to live in your heart. Take some time out of your hectic schedule to just walk with him and you will experience the greatest gift of all.
"Thank you, God, for loving me, even though I am a sinner. Thank you for sending your Son to live among us and show us the way to You. I give you my heart, Lord, and yield every part of me to your will. Walk with me, live with me, work with me, and draw me closer to your heart each day. Keep me in your love until I see you once again in heaven. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen."
One more note: In the middle of all the generic messages of Christmas joy on television, this little clip from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" always stands out. Enjoy.
