After over 10 years of doing choir in school I swore I would never sing in choir again. I put aside my musical side for  occasional beat boxing and perhaps singing with my family. No more the answers “no” thank you.

But this was not to be.

After my dad asked me for the seventh time to join the Hope Chapel Christmas choir I relented. I had a great time! Despite my expectations I might add. This is a great example of what my dad calls “forced fun.”

Below are some recordings of the songs we sang. Our camera was not so good but Bill Ledbetter, the camera guy, did a great job with our camera such as it was.

Rise & Shine by Deb Dorman

This is a newer song from Deb Dorman. This may have been the first performance. In earlier practices it seemed like she may have still been tweaking it. It was fun to sing. Deb is one of my favorite worship music writers. She is also a fun choir director.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Watch Rise and Shine on YouTube

Cradled in a Manger Meanly by George Rowe

This is one of my all time favorite Christmas songs and one you have probably now heard. Legend has it that this song helped inspire the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Or at least the Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.  I don’t know if that is true but I do know I like this song.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Watch Cradled in a Manger Meanly on YouTube

Celebrate the Child by Michael Card

Geno the pastor had us sing this song a second time and told us to put “more soul in it.” Everyone seemed to like it a lot.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Watch Celebrate the Child on YouTube

Infant Holy Infant Lowly by Spiewni­czek Ko­sciel­ne

Infant Holy is a traditional Polish Christmas Carol. Traditional in Poland I guess. I had never heard it before but it’s catchy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Watch Infant Holy on YouTube.

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I know many of you were bummed when the Antioch leadership decided not to do a CD for World Mandate 2007. I respected that decision and am content with the World Mandate CDs I already have. One song by James Mark Gully though I really loved. It is called Jesus is the Lord and it is one of my favorite songs. Well Antioch has just released that song in a royalty free download from their website.

Story Behind the Song (from the Antioch website)
“Robert Fuller, our college worship pastor, walked into my office one day with half of a verse and half of a chorus. Immediately, I said, “We need to finish this song together.” The result is an anthem that declares that Jesus will receive the reward due for His sacrifice: the worship of people from every nation and tribe. It is a song of humble, passionate adoration of Jesus in all His glory. Both of us are amazed at what God has done through “Jesus is the Lord” at Antioch, and so we wanted to make it available to you here as a gift. May you offer it back to Jesus with a heart wholly given to Him.”

James Mark Gulley, Pastor of Worship & Arts

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