From Beliefnet.com:
Day Eight:
Old Familiar Carols Play
What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this, our heavenly king?
Amid the mall Muzak, we can still make out the melodies of ancient and beloved carols, nearly all of which have a religious story behind them. Here's how to reconnect with these sacred songs.
The 12 Best Christmas Carol Renditions
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The 12 Best Christmas Carol Renditions by Christian Music Stars
By Joanne Brokaw
From Bing Crosby to Elvis to The Chipmunks, there are literally thousands of versions of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols. So when I was asked to pick the 12 best versions of Christmas carols, I focused on just Christian recording artists. Let's face it; it's hard to compete with a crooner like Crosby or a trio of rodents yearning for a hula hoop.
Here are my picks for the 12 most unique versions of Christmas carols, sung by your favorite Christian music artists. The first carol is…
Joanne Brokaw blogs about Christian music for Beliefnet on Gospel Soundcheck.
"I Heard The Bells" by Steven Curtis Chapman
With beautiful guitar and string arrangements, Steven Curtis Chapman soars with "I Heard The Bells," from his 2005
All I Really Want For Christmas
. The verse, "Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead nor doth he sleep," takes on a new meaning in light of the tragedy the Chapmans suffered this year, when their youngest adopted daughter Maria was killed in an accident. The album's liner notes, with photos of Maria and the Chapman's two other adopted daughters Shaohannah and Stevey Joy, are a poignant yet bittersweet reminder of the preciousness of life during this season of joy.
"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" by Sara Groves
Sara Groves takes the classic "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" and turns it upside down on her new album,
O Holy Night.
Reworking the basic melody and layering it anew with piano, guitar, and percussion, you might not even realize what song you're listening to until you recognize the lyrics. But it's a wonderful version that uses Groves' strengths—her vocals and songwriting skills—to tell "that glorious song of old" in a fresh, new way.
"Joy to the World" by Bebo Norman
I've heard dozens of versions of "Joy to The World," from gospel to dance-pop, but it was Bebo Norman's folky rendition of the song, from his new album
Christmas From The Realms of Glory,
that stole my heart. With guitar, pedal guitar and banjo, it's easy to envision a country Christmas, with falling snow on mountain pine, a blazing fireplace in a cozy cabin, and family joyfully celebrating the birth of Christ.
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Jars of Clay
Hand's down, Jars of Clay offers the best rendition of the classic carol, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," from their 2007
Christmas Songs
. The band's signature sound is a perfect fit with the traditionally solemn and somber carol. With a full string arrangement and the band's trademark vocals and percussion, the song retains its classic melody and yet is unmistakably Jars of Clay.
"Carol of the Bells" by Moya Brennan
Moya Brennan lends her Celtic vocals to the "Carol of the Bells," from her 2006
An Irish Christmas
. Brennan's ethereal voice is the centerpiece of the song, with a stirring arrangement that includes harp, guitar, fiddle and strings. This is a truly haunting yet reverent rendition of this classic carol.
"We Three Kings" by Go Fish
Family favorite Go Fish show their a cappella roots on "We Three Kings", from their 2006 Christmas release,
Snow.
This surprisingly upbeat version ("We Three Kings" is typically a fairly somber song) showcases the group's great a cappella vocals, with just a touch of instrumentals and percussion. I love the funky little verse of "Star light, star bright … Jesus You're our perfect light" they throw in towards the end.
"Away in a Manger" by CeCe Winans
CeCe Winans brings her smooth, gospel vocals to "Away in a Manger," from the album
His Gift
and included on the
WOW 2002 Christmas
compilation. Winans creates a jazzy version of the traditional carol with a new chorus and refrain that echoes that Jesus' love is "shining for the whole world to see."
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Third Day
Mac Powell could sing any song and it would sound not only beautiful but unique, and that's what makes Third Day's rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" so perfect. It builds from solemn, stripped down vocals and guitar to a full rock band. The song is included on the
WOW 2000 Christmas
compilation, but you can also catch the live version of this song on the band's new
Christmas Offerings
live CD and DVD.
"Angels We Have Heard on High" by Mandisa
"American Idol"'s gospel star Mandisa lends her amazing vocals to "Angels We Have Heard on High," from her new album,
It's Christmas
. This song is rich with smooth vocals, and harmonies as well as a jazzy beat that lends itself well to the lyrics while still maintaining the sacredness of the song.
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" by Casting Crowns
One of Christian music's most popular artists, Casting Crowns, offers this moving instrumental version of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," from their new album,
Peace On Earth
. The song's string and piano arrangement, showcasing the carol's familiar melody, builds to a full orchestral ending. It's a simple and beautiful version of the hymn.
"Silent Night" by Bryan Duncan
"Silent Night" is probably one of the most recognized Christmas songs in the world, and Bryan Duncan and his NehoSoul Band add their influences to this classic carol, giving it a fresh twist without overpowering it. The song, from 2005's
A NehoSoul Christmas,
starts with a simple, yet jazzy version of the classic carol, then ends with a funky chorus.
"O Come All Ye Faithful" by Michael Hodge
Guitarist and songwriter Michael Hodge offers a wonderful instrumental version of "O Come All Ye Faithful," from
A McPherson Guitars Instrumental Collection.
The album is a collection of guitar instrumentals showcasing the cutting edge McPherson guitars, played by everyone from Phil Keaggy to Brad Paisley. Hodge's beautiful rendition of this classic Christmas hymn highlights the rich, stirring sound this unique instrument offers.
Advent Prayer, Day 8: Searching for ChristSunday December 6, 2009
Categories: Advent, Advent Prayer, Bible, Jesus
By Claudia Mair Burney
The second Sunday of Advent
"After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished, and his mother said to him, 'Why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.' He said, 'Why were you searching for me? Did you not know I must be in my father's house?'" Luke 2:46-48 NRSV
Last week we pondered the annunciation, birth, and infancy of Jesus. This week we'll journey with him as he grows into an adult, and meditate on the confounding grace that "God with us" brings into our daily lives. We begin, once again, at the temple in Jerusalem. Twelve year-old-Jesus has gone missing. It would be one thing if he were gone three hours, but three days had passed. Who can blame his frantic parents for their reaction? It's his answer to his mother that challenges us: why were you searching for me?
We look for Jesus through slick television preachers, retreats, seminars, and through the multiple millions of dollars worth of Christian living books sold. We scour the Internet for signs of him, but too many times we come up empty. Advent and Christmas season are evidence of the arrival of Christ, yet caught up in holiday madness, so often we fail to find him. What can we do to trust that the Lord as available as he said he would be?
My Father God,
Have I frantically looked for Jesus everywhere except for the main place He said I could find him? Jesus promised that he'd be in the midst when two or more of us gather in his name. He's present in the Word, and can even be found when I look into the faces of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Still, like Jesus' parents, I find myself steeped in anxiety, wondering if I am truly connected to Him. Enlighten my eyes to see Christ in your house, good Father, and may I come to know him there, in fresh, life-changing ways.
"Come, Lord Jesus.
Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/prayerplainandsimple/2009/12/advent-prayer-day-8-searching-for-christ.html#ixzz17IqOJsFt
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