Toby Mac Christmas in Diversecity

This is Toby Mac's Christmas in Diversecity CD.

Toby does his own versions of classic Christmas songs, that I find to be extremely catchy.  This song here is O Come, All Ye Faithful.

This song is so "joyful and triumphant" (like my pun?)!

 

The whole theme of this song is to come and adore Christ the newborn King.  This is what the Bible lays out for our lives to be--everything we do to glorify the Lord.

 

Christ is Come

This is another favorite by Jeremy Camp.

Lifeway came out with this Christmas CD last year, featuring many contemporary artists signing both new and classic Christmas music.

Big Daddy Weave also has a version of this song.

 

The words of this song perfectly describe true Christmas.

 

"Christ is come, let all creation sing
God's own Son, oh hail the newborn King
The word made flesh, now dwells among us (dwells among us)
Christ is come

Prince of Peace, Yeshua, Messiah, the Son of Man
Holy One, King of kings, Lord of lords, the Great I Am
Comforter, Counselor, Author and Finisher
Divine Truth Revealer, Deliverer, Healer
You are God, Jesus You are God"

This is the bridge and chorus.  You can follow the link above to view the whole song, and I feel that if you listen to it, you will love it, too!

 

It is so awesome to know that we have a God who is able to do it all!

 

"The Word made flesh, now dwells among us" refers to Jesus, the Son of God, coming to earth as a man, just like us.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning."  John 1:1-2



Joy to the World

Joy to the World is one of my all time favorite Christmas songs because I love the word joy.  It is probably my favorite word.  I believe there is a difference between being happy and being joyful.  Things and people can make you happy, but usually those things don't last.

Joy comes from the "things" that never end.  I experience true joy from Jesus Christ.  Everything He gives fills me with joy.  I can be confident that by trusting in Him, I can always have a positive outlook.  Because I have received the ultimate gift from God (His son Jesus Christ), I don't need earthly, material possesions.  All I need is always in my heart.

My favorite version of this song as of right now is by Jeremy Camp.  I just love his voice; it is so unique and beautiful.

 

"Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing."

Everyone is welcome to have the gift of Christmas and praise His holy name!

 

"He rules the world with truth and grace,

and makes the nations prove

the glories of His righteousness

and wonders of His love,

and wonders of His love,

and wonders, wonders, of His love."

How great it is to know that we have a ruler and king who gives us what we don't deserve and always has our true best interest at heart.  His love is so extravagant, we need nothing else.

Oldies but Goldies

It just can't be Christmas without the old songs!  They are the best, in my opinion.  I have them on my phone and even set as alarms.

I really do think that this is the most wonderful time of the year!  It's so joyful, festive, and relaxing at times.  Smiles are all around and there is so much to look forward to.

"There’ll be parties for hosting,
Marshmallows for toasting and
Caroling out in the snow"

These are 3 things I love to do!  Christmas parties are my favorite kind of all; roasted marshmallows are such a rare treat to enjoy; although we don't get much snow, I'm all for the singing!

This song is so much fun to sing along to.  The rhymes just pull everything together!  All about friends, love, celebrating, and good times for everyone!

Christmas Time Again



The main point of this song is about getting together and being joyful, celebrating all that God has given us, especially His Son.  It encompasses all the festivities and fun people associate with this season while keeping the main thing the main thing.

 

"And it’s Christmas time again
Time to gather with your family and your friends
And thank God for His gift of Love
On Christmas"

Once a Year by Josh Wilson

I love this song becuase it is so encouraging to keep the spirit of Christmas going all year long, not just during the season.  Everyone, including myself, feels so much more motivated to give and share at Chrsitmas time, but the reason we celebrate Christmas is because Jesus was born.  If we have accepted Him into our lives as Lord and Savior, we are free to have the same joy fill us all year long.  The holiday ends in December, but Christ reigns for eterninty. 

 

So why don't we celebrate Christ mas more than once a year?

This is the chorus:

Once a year December's here and our hearts open up
Once a year we give with cheer to those who don't have enough
Wouldn't it be something if we all learned to love
Like it's Christmas more than once a year?

A Day Full of Christmas

Time has so gotten away from me.  I am so behing on my gift wrapping, card making, decorating, cooking, celebrating, and just getting in the spirit!  There is no way that it is December 16th already.

 

However, yesterday was a very Christmasy day!  I started out taking two gifts to people at church and learning some new songs in service.  I got my own Latte Moon this morning, too, to take with me to Sunday School at the youth building across the street.  I was glad I had something warm; the sanctuary left me still cold and it was freezing temps outside as well!  This here is coffee with pumpkin spice creamer, topped with mini marshmallows and cool whip!  I never knew until this morning how yummy those toppings make coffee.

After Sunday School, my class had our Christmas party at our terrific leader Patty's house.  Our college leader, Jenna, and her family came, too.  Patty set up a chicken and/or beef taco bar, fixed drinks and coffee, and had also made some super yummy buckeyes!

 

  Below are some of the cookies we baked.  We made hundreds of treats!  These cookies are going to go to some older and/or disable people around our area that our church does some ministry with.

 

 

 

Top left is Morgan, who is spreading some PB on crackers to be dipped in white chocolate.

Below her is Patty, dipping the crackers.  She was too excited about those!

Bottom left is Cassie, who was getting a kick out of us flattening the cookie dough.

Top right is Bella, trying but failing to flatten an entire chunk of cookie dough.

Last but not least is Julia rolling and covering snickerdoodle dough made by her mom.

I made a batch of gingerbread cookies!

Our class is much larger than just these girls, but due to previous holiday plans, not everyone could come!

To conclude my Sunday, I went with my mom, dad, friend Brooke and her mom to my church's final night of The Living Christmas Tree, The Birthday of the King.  I would be terrified to be up there so high in that tree, especially the poor lady at the tip-top!  This performace of Christmas songs and the true Christmas story of Jesus's birth is heard by so many each of three nights.  It is a great way to get in the spirit and share the gospel.