This is my sermon for the second week of Advent 2010. The theme is peace and the text is Luke 2:8-20
To listen
To download
| advent_2_peace_-_dan_wallis.mp3 |
Or "rescuing Christmas from the schmaltz"
Most, if not all of these albums can be found in iTunes or through Amazon.com. A number of them are free downloads, while some of them you can get from any major music retailer.
Most, if not all of these albums can be found in iTunes or through Amazon.com. A number of them are free downloads, while some of them you can get from any major music retailer.
If you're tired of walking into grocery stores and having to battle the sultry breaths of Kenny, the vocal triple backflips of Mariah or the schmaltz of Bing, then here is a list for you. Here's my bias:
I am extremely partial to Christmas music that manages to avoid the tinsel and bling of so much of what passes for Christmas music, while plugging the listener into the mystery, the loneliness, the confusion, the awesomeness, the majesty and even the eeriness of what was the first Christmas. Here is my list. I might add to it. I'd LOVE to hear your suggestions.
I am extremely partial to Christmas music that manages to avoid the tinsel and bling of so much of what passes for Christmas music, while plugging the listener into the mystery, the loneliness, the confusion, the awesomeness, the majesty and even the eeriness of what was the first Christmas. Here is my list. I might add to it. I'd LOVE to hear your suggestions.
Behold the Lamb of God (Andrew Peterson) HERE
If you buy ANY Christmas album - make it this one. I cannot say enough amazing things about this forgotten gem - this will stir an appreciation for Christmas against the backdrop of Old Testament prophecy, the grim reality of the birth of Christ and God's overarching plan of salvation. Plus the tunes are stunning and the musicianship is exquisite.
Aurora (Cantamus) HERE
This is not a Christmas album. BUT it's one of my favourite Christmas albums. The ethereal quality of the female choir backed by a gorgeous classical orchestra evokes some of the most powerful emotions in me as I listen to it. I imagine this may be what a heavenly choir sounds like.
Salvation is Created (Bifrost Arts) HERE (Band website here)
Replacing the tinsel with a gothic, Tim Burton-esque soundscape, this album is not for the faint of heart. But if you want to plug into the mystery of Christmas, you can't do much better than this stunningly dark offering.
In Mansions (Church of the Beloved) HERE (free download)
Ditto for the last 'review'. Only this one is free. I don't know how they can offer something this wonderful for free. But it is. And I recommend you click the link and DL it! Right now. Go on!
O Holy Night Tour Live (Sara Groves) HERE (free download)
I love the studio version of this album (see below). I've not listened to this live version much. But it's free, and it was performed in a women's prison. Say no more. Sara Groves is a gem, and her re-tuning of some of the standards of Christmas is genius.
Wintersong (Sarah McLachlan) HERE
I'm not a huge fan of Sarah McLachlan, but this album receives play after play in our household. The first song aside (a worthy, but unmoving cover of "(Merry Xmas) War is Over"), this album is an absolute beauty. From her stirring cover of Joni Mitchell's "River" to the numerous carols that McLachlan cover with a sensitivity and adeptness that is lacking on so many so-called Christian "Christmas" albums, "Wintersong" is an album that, to me, evokes the true Canadian landscape while leading me to worship Christ the King. Good stuff.
Mistletoe and Wine (Mediaeval Baebes) HERE
OK, this one you'll either love or hate. I love it. I love it because it takes me back to a forgotten era of lutes, madrigals, and ancient languages. If you're looking for an "Olde Worlde" Christmas album that you can play in the background during a meal, this is the one!
A Midwinter Nights Dream (Loreena McKennitt) HERE
Loreena McKennitt, in my mind, is what is exciting about Canadian music. She's a musical troubadour par excellence, as evidenced on this wondrously mysterious offering. Delving into the ancient Carol books for her inspiration, McKennitt takes us on a journey through time that reminds us that before the commercialization of this season, Christmas was something else entirely. Something "other". As to what that "other" is, let McKennitt explain as you listen to her songs.
Here are some other worthy mentions:
Christmas and Advent Songs (High Street Hymns) HERE (free sampler)
Tidings (Allison Crowe) HERE (free dowload)
Rescue EP (Stephen Miller) HERE (free download)
Wake up the World (JJ Heller) Available on iTunes
A Christmas Card Vol 2 (David Story) HERE (free download)
Hello Christmas (Sarah Story) HERE (free download)
Grace then peace (Josh Schicker) HERE
O Holy Night (Sara Groves) HERE
The Bewildering Lights (So Elated) HERE (free download)
If you buy ANY Christmas album - make it this one. I cannot say enough amazing things about this forgotten gem - this will stir an appreciation for Christmas against the backdrop of Old Testament prophecy, the grim reality of the birth of Christ and God's overarching plan of salvation. Plus the tunes are stunning and the musicianship is exquisite.
Aurora (Cantamus) HERE
This is not a Christmas album. BUT it's one of my favourite Christmas albums. The ethereal quality of the female choir backed by a gorgeous classical orchestra evokes some of the most powerful emotions in me as I listen to it. I imagine this may be what a heavenly choir sounds like.
Salvation is Created (Bifrost Arts) HERE (Band website here)
Replacing the tinsel with a gothic, Tim Burton-esque soundscape, this album is not for the faint of heart. But if you want to plug into the mystery of Christmas, you can't do much better than this stunningly dark offering.
In Mansions (Church of the Beloved) HERE (free download)
Ditto for the last 'review'. Only this one is free. I don't know how they can offer something this wonderful for free. But it is. And I recommend you click the link and DL it! Right now. Go on!
O Holy Night Tour Live (Sara Groves) HERE (free download)
I love the studio version of this album (see below). I've not listened to this live version much. But it's free, and it was performed in a women's prison. Say no more. Sara Groves is a gem, and her re-tuning of some of the standards of Christmas is genius.
Wintersong (Sarah McLachlan) HERE
I'm not a huge fan of Sarah McLachlan, but this album receives play after play in our household. The first song aside (a worthy, but unmoving cover of "(Merry Xmas) War is Over"), this album is an absolute beauty. From her stirring cover of Joni Mitchell's "River" to the numerous carols that McLachlan cover with a sensitivity and adeptness that is lacking on so many so-called Christian "Christmas" albums, "Wintersong" is an album that, to me, evokes the true Canadian landscape while leading me to worship Christ the King. Good stuff.
Mistletoe and Wine (Mediaeval Baebes) HERE
OK, this one you'll either love or hate. I love it. I love it because it takes me back to a forgotten era of lutes, madrigals, and ancient languages. If you're looking for an "Olde Worlde" Christmas album that you can play in the background during a meal, this is the one!
A Midwinter Nights Dream (Loreena McKennitt) HERE
Loreena McKennitt, in my mind, is what is exciting about Canadian music. She's a musical troubadour par excellence, as evidenced on this wondrously mysterious offering. Delving into the ancient Carol books for her inspiration, McKennitt takes us on a journey through time that reminds us that before the commercialization of this season, Christmas was something else entirely. Something "other". As to what that "other" is, let McKennitt explain as you listen to her songs.
Here are some other worthy mentions:
Christmas and Advent Songs (High Street Hymns) HERE (free sampler)
Tidings (Allison Crowe) HERE (free dowload)
Rescue EP (Stephen Miller) HERE (free download)
Wake up the World (JJ Heller) Available on iTunes
A Christmas Card Vol 2 (David Story) HERE (free download)
Hello Christmas (Sarah Story) HERE (free download)
Grace then peace (Josh Schicker) HERE
O Holy Night (Sara Groves) HERE
The Bewildering Lights (So Elated) HERE (free download)
