Every day from November 27-December 25 I will be putting up a Christmas themed post on this blog. Most days, that post will be a devotional related to the Christmas season. Each Monday, however, I will put up just something fun related to the Christmas season.
Today, I have decided to put up a top 10 list of non-traditional Christmas songs that are on my iPod this holiday season. Hope you enjoy them! P.S. In the comments section let me (and everyone else know) of some of your other favorites!
1. “Anthem for Christmas” – Michael W. Smith. Check out this powerful lyric: “In the space of the beginning was the living Word of Light. When this word was clearly spoken, all that came to be was right. All creation had a language, words to say what must be said. All day long the heavens whispered, signing words in scarlet red. Some have failed to understand it so God spoke His final word. On a silent night in Judah’s hills a Baby’s cry was heard. ‘Glory!’ sang the angel chorus. ‘Glory!’ echoed back the night. Love has come to walk among us; Christ the Lord was born this night.”
2. “A Strange Way to Save the World” – 4Him. This song (from the perspective of Joseph) is a powerful depiction of the emotion that must have been felt by those present the night of Jesus birth. “To think of how it could have been, if Jesus had come as He deserved. There would have been no Bethlehem, no lowly shepherds at His birth. But Joseph knew the reason love had to reach so far . . .”
3. “Christmas Hymn” – Amy Grant. Who here remembers Amy Grant’s original Christmas tape? This was a staple in my house growing up. I still love it. “Still a higher call had He. Deliverance from our sin. Come to set all people free from Satan’s hold within. For by the sin of man we fell, by the Son of God He crushed the power of hell. Death we fear no more!”
4. “Manger Throne” – Third Day. Southern rock is one of my favorite sounds. This bluesy rock ballad is a powerful worship song. “What kind of King would leave His throne in heaven to make this earth His home? While men seek fame and great renown in lowliness our King comes down!”
5. “Babe in the Straw” – Jars of Clay. Another powerful song exploring the emotion of the night Jesus was born “Who is this child asleep in a manger? The heavens are bright and the stable so calm. On this holy night have you come to redeem us little child in the straw? . . . Light of truth shine like Bethlehem’s star. Lead us to where you are. Show us who you are.”
6. “Born in Bethlehem” – Third Day. Another Third Day song. I love the simplicity of this song. “Hallelujah! the King is here given for all men. For today the holy Son of God is born in Bethlehem.”
7. “Christmas in Hollis” – Run DMC. Just checking to see if you are still paying attention . . . “It’s Christmas time in Hollis, Queens. Mom’s cooking chicken and collard greens. Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese, and Santa’s puttin’ gifts under Christmas trees.”
8. “Emmanuel” – Chris Tomlin. I love Chris Tomlin’s music . . . he is in many ways a modern day Charles Wesley. This is one of my favorite Christmas songs of his. “The Son of God, here, born to bleed. A crown of thorns would pierce His brow. And we beheld this offering – exalted now the King of Kings. Praise God for the hallowed manger ground.”
9. “Go Tell it On the Mountain” – James Taylor. You probably know this song, but if you have not heard this version by JT, you need to check it out. It is like Sweet Baby James meets Jesus. I like that. “God sent salvation on that Christmas morn!!”
10. “Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah” – Michael W. Smith. This choral number by MWS is a powerful anthem for the Christmas season. “Lift up your heads all who wander in darkness. Shine for your light has come! Down through the ages though sins battle rages Christ the Messiah has won!!”
How Many Kings? — Downhere. Downhere portrays the Christmas scene in light of the church arising from their OT prophecies, a foreshadow of the NT reign of Jesus, and through a list of rhetorical questions that proclaim the greatness of God and His character shown towards us. This song was well done. “How many kings stepped down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least? How many gods have poured out their hearts to romance a world that is torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me? Only one did that for me.”
Cry of a tiny babe – Bruce Cockburn (from the album “Nothing but a burning light”) – brilliant lyric to a hypnotic, almost chant like tune. Last verse and chorus goes
There are others who know about this miracle birth
The humblest of people catch a glimpse of their worth
For it isn’t to the palace that the Christ child comes
But to shepherds and street people, hookers and bums
And the message is clear if you’ve got ears to hear
That forgiveness is given for your guilt and your fear
It’s a Christmas gift [that] you don’t have to buy
There’s a future shining in a baby’s eyes
Like a stone on the surface of a still river
Driving the ripples on forever
Redemption rips through the surface of time
In the cry of a tiny babe
The Promise – Mike Card – the whole Album is “a celebration of Christ’s Birth” and is a modern Christmas Cantata. All of Mike’s lyrics are thoughtful, profound and inspired directly from God’s word. The song Emmanuel is a particular favourite of ours!