Merry Christmas Everybody!!!

Luke 2:11-14

Christmas Wisdom

Reason For The Season

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

First appeared in Luke 2:8-14 - and then, very eloquently spoken by Mr. Linus Van Pelt in the mid-1900s.

Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - Him Who Reigns

Him Who Reigns is a Christian Music band based in the Crete area, with a "home church" of Trinity Lutheran Church, also in Crete. Though that is their "home church", they most certainly do not restrict their spreading of God's word to just that church and its congregation. They have, and will, play at other venues.

The band takes what is commonly called "Blended Hymns" - hymns that are set to rock/pop music, as opposed to the older organ based hymns. This type of Christian Music is being seen (heard) in more and more churches across the globe. It has a wide appeal to both the traditionalists and the younger generation of worshipers.

Him Who Reigns is a 7 piece band consisting of piano, acoustic/electric guitar, drums, bass guitar, 1 male vocalist, and 2 female vocalists - plus a full choir. The guitar player also performs lead vocals on a couple of songs as well. The inclusion of 4 vocalists has a major effect in two areas. The first, it allows for a wide variety of songs across many vocal ranges, and provides a variety of styles and songs. No two songs sound alike. The second is the amazing harmonies and backing vocals that can be provided with 4 voices, all different, on the same song.

The choir, used on a few songs, provides another added dimension to the music, bringing in that very full sound of a choir in a balcony in a large sanctuary. However, definitely more subtle than the "Old Landmark" choir in The Blues Brothers.

The songs have a very modern pop feel to them, to take a quote from the past, "they have a good beat and you can dance to them". But seriously, the music is fresh and vibrant and upbeat. And the lyrics - the lyrics - are inspirational!!! Themes taken directly from God's Word and translated into musical verse. Christian themes of redemption and joy. Infectious music and lyrics! I mean, how could they not be inspiring and joyous given their root source of Christian Beliefs and The Holy Bible?

The members of the band are inspirational as well as their joy is evident to anybody watching. All the members smiling and getting into the music. Certainly not your average rock show - but just as fun!!!
And on a side note, I happened to be working the recording system for the show, and I was able to listen via headphones and focus on various inputs. Not only are the music and lyrics amazing - the musicianship is superb. The vocalists are amazing - the musicians are equally amazing. And the Choir, equally as amazing. Their contributions to the songs are quite impressive!

"That my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever" - Psalm 30:12

This is their facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/HWRTrinity?fref=ts

Him Who Reigns - Free Concert Event

Free concert event - details at :

https://www.facebook.com/events/490603304458342/

He Is Risen

Good Friday

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:30

Merry Christmas

My 4 Favorite Christmas Movie/Show Quotes

These are my personal favorite 3 :

"....and God bless us, everyone" - Tiny Tim - A Christmas Carol

"Remember, no man is a failure who has friends" - Clarence - It's Wonderful Life

"MANKIND was my business" - Jacob Marley - A Christmas Carol

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
-- Linus Van Pelt in A Charlie Brown Christmas
-- Luke 2:8-14 in the Holy Bible

Merry Christmas

"...and God bless us, everyone"

(to borrow from Tiny Tim)

The Meaning of Christmas

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

This first appeared in the Holy Bible in the Book of Luke Chapter 2 Verses 8-14
and was later repeated over the television airwaves, hundreds of years later, by Linus Van Pelt during Charlie Brown's Christmas play.