I'm in love with so many of the great hymn of the Christian faith. 
I particularly love the hymns that draw me into the reality of the cross and the truth of the atonement. 

This hymn is drawn from the scripture "And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:23-25 ESV)

It is influenced by some writings of CH Spurgeon and John Wesley's "Covenant Service". It's a song reflecting on the cost that Christ bore for our freedom. However, it doesn't stop there: it goes on to discuss the matter of "how then shall we live?"

The thread running through the entire hymn is that we cannot gaze upon the cross, worship Christ and leave unchanged.

Below are the lyrics, a streaming audio, the hymn to download and the guitar chords. 

May this hymn cause you to look with new eyes upon the God-man who died for all mankind to atone for our sins. 

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This is my sermon for the second week of Advent 2010. The theme is peace and the text is Luke 2:8-20

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. 

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.

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)

In times of repentance, I find my words run dry...they just don't cut it. 
This is when I look to hymns, such as "Arise, my soul, arise".
These lyrics speak hope into the guilty soul, reminding us that our right-standing with God is grounded purely in Christ's atonement and imputed righteousness. We are declared righteous, because Christ is righteous and He is our righteousness. 
May you find comfort in these lyrics. 


The words are by Charles Wesley. 
The music is my own. 

Arise, soul arise

(Words by Charles Wesley, Music by Dan Wallis)
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for Adam’s race,
His blood atoned for Adam’s race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Nor let that ransomed sinner die!'

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One; 
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And 'Father, Abba, Father,' cry. 

The story behind this song. 
Thelma Fiebig, one of the seniors who make up our Church (a lovely lady) wrote a poem. It was placed in the bulletin during the Easter season - either this year or last year. Actually, I'm not sure when - all I know is that it was floating around in my office for AGES. 
One day it turned up - this lone piece of paper and, as I read it, I thought "This poem would make a great hymn". And not only is it a great hymn, but it fills a hole within hymnody. There are many songs / hymns about the suffering of Christ on the cross. However, there are not many hymns that describe, or explain, that the physical suffering of Christ on the cross was probably the least of His worries. The spiritual reality of being separated from the Father (from the Trinity?) was the cup that Christ wanted passed from Him, that caused Him to sweat drops of blood.
This song describes that terrible and wonderful reality in such an eloquent and beautiful manner. 
May it cause us to praise God anew for His incredible sacrifice. 

The Ultimate Sacrifice
(Words by Thelma Fiebig, Music by Dan Wallis)

Verse 1
Not the thorns that pierced his head
Not the skin torn from his back
Not the blood lust of the crowd
Nor the guards’ verbal attack

Not the struggle up the road
As he bore the cross of shame
Not the sound of rebels’ cheer
As to Calvary they came

Chorus 1
These were the acts of cruelty
Inflicted by sinful man
Pain much deeper than human flesh
Was part of the Master’s plan

Verse 2
The pain of broken heart
While hanging on that tree
“Why, o why my Father
Have you forsaken me?”

Because He bore our guilt
He paid our penalty
The sin God could not look upon
Was borne for you and me
Chorus 2
Beyond the acts of cruelty
Inflicted by sinful man
Pain much deeper than human flesh
Was part of the Master’s plan

Verse 3
Then came the resurrection
When victory was won
Now Jesus sits at God’s right hand
As His beloved Son

Chorus 3
We thank you Christ for what you bore
For love of sinful man
We see the marks of wounded love
In the nail prints in your hands

© Thelma Fiebig + Dan Wallis 2010

Below are a couple of avenues through which you could invite a friend / colleague / family member to the next men's breakfast. This is low-impact evangelism that ANYONE can do! Why not pray and ask God to lay a man you know on your heart, then ask God to give you an opportunity to invite him to this meal?

Just right click and save to your computer, then send an email to your friend / colleague with this as an attachment. 

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