As if the last one wasn’t enough…more people, more accents, more weirdness.
Christmas
After several of Laura Anne’s twitter friends “coerced” her into a Scottish rendition of “The Night Before Christmas”, she also requested some of the coercees take part.
So…I thus coerced Diane to help me out to make it multi-national. And everyone knows she has the bestest accent on the planet anyway.
Without further adieu … here it is : our long overdue return to the world of vlogging
A friend of mine, of indeterminate faith, recently said one of the best pamphlets he’d ever seen was from Jews for Jesus. It was simply titled : “Jews for Jesus : What??”
This comes from another of their pamphlets. And because it mentions my favourite non-holiday, I thought I’d share it.
What shall we do?
What shall we celebrate?
Hanukkah, Christmas, … Festivus ?
If I choose Christmas I can go with the flow. With Hanukkah I get more presents. And with Festivus…for Seinfeld fans…there’s an airing of grievances and feats of strength.
Religion and ritual. What do they have to do with reality?
Amidst the dreydls, the candles, the wreaths, the ribbons and whatever other traditions you may hold…there’s a feeling that there’s got to be something more.
Holiday traditions fill us with a nostalgic longing for a reality that many of us have never experienced. A hunger and thirst that can’t be satisfied with latkes or eggnog or anything we can see or taste or touch with our physical senses.
That’s because our souls really long to be right with the One who created us.
The best gift of the season can only come from God…and the dilemma is whether you are willing to receive it.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should be perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
It’s not a matter of whose holiday or what culture to celebrate…but whether or not you open your heart to that Jewish baby that God sent so that people of all cultures and backgrounds could know God and experience His forgiveness and peace.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called : Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince Of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
Come and join in with Sunday Setlists over at FredMckinnon.com, and see how churches around the world have been worshiping this week..
I’m keeping this uber-short this week. Because no-one should be reading set-lists in the week before Christmas anyway 
It was our all weekend Christmas/Hanukkah celebration from Friday to Sunday, with Bob Mendelsohn from Jews for Jesus offering powerful messages about Christ in Hanukkah and also Messiah-mas. Love that name.
Following is two lists from Sunday, as usual, except I’ve abbreviated the song credits because I’m a bit time strapped. Our AM service was a “normal” service, while PM was our Christmas celebration. In effect, this meant a 12 hour day for much of the team. Tis done, twas fun. Glad it’s over for another year. Actually, this is my last Christmas with Awesome Church…at least for several years, probably longer. Feels kinda weird.
Also, for anyone who is reading…I’m changing some of my online presence over the next week or so. More to come later, but anyone who subscribes to this blog will be affected, just so ya know.
Sunday AM Music
1. No Reason To Hide (Hillsong, 2009)
2. For Who You Are (Hillsong, 2006)
3. His Glory Appears (Hillsong, 2009)
4. To Meet You Here (Awesome Church, 2009)
…then following tithes, offerings, news…
5. Happy Day (Tim Hughes, 2006)
…and then to close the service with the altar call…
6. His Glory Appears
Sunday PM Music – Christmas Party
1. Let God Arise (Tomlin, 2006)
2. This Is Our God (Hillsong, 2008)
*introduction to the Christmas/Messiahmas party*
3. I’m Walking In Authority (Donnie McClurkin, 2009) – our KidPower sang while the CrossMovement junior dance team danced. Completely gorgeous.
4. The Light Of The World (Jews for Jesus, 1982) – considering our completely non-kosher team, this came off surprisingly yiddish, and certainly got the crowd dancing. The kids in particular loved it.
5. Away In A Manger – calypso style
6. Angels (Hillsong, 2003)
7. Six White Boomers (Rolf Harris, 196something) – a quintessential Aussie Christmas song. For da kids, ya know.
8. Aussie Jingle Bells (Colin Buchanan, 199something) – as above, but you all know the tune. Look up the lyrics…you might understand them.
9. O Holy Night – surprisingly for us, not radically rearranged, just with a gentle swing
10. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer – because even though it’s hot here at Christmas, the kids love this too – even with the My Sharona style drums & bass we do…
11. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – kinda like the Jackson 5 version, but ours goes for.ev.ah. while Santa arrives and distributes lollies to all and sundry.
12. We Wish You A Merry Christmas – the end.
See you next week, and Happy Christmas!
Note for Facebook readers : remember if I post a video or song, you’ll need to actually click through to my blog to see or listen. You know you want to.
