Where’s The Line To See Jesus

Now that things have begun to settle down, I thought I should check my email.  I almost deleted one by accident and I’m so glad I didn’t.  Thank you Gloria for sending me this awesome video.  To all those who visit my blog, I pray that it’s message is a blessing to you.  A brief story about how the song came about was sent along with the link to the video so I’ve included it below.  – Briggie ^i^

About the Song…
While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where’s the line to see Jesus"?

My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it.

I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios. It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus… with goosebumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville… still no response.

Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD’s, iTunes, anything… we had nothin’. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring… this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs… the real deal…. and here we are today.

Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together… remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer’s observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you.

Merry Christmas everyone.

What Christmas Is All About

 

Christmas will always be for us
A time to reflect on Christ
The gift God gave to all the world
Was the gift of His life
We know Christmas is not about tinsel
Nor fancy Christmas wreaths
Nor is it about all the decorations
That adorns our Christmas trees
And it’s not about Holly or Mistletoe
Hanging from our doors
Nor is it about the gifts that are left
By the jolly Santa Claus
Christmas is more than all of this
And the only reason why
We celebrate Christ’s birth together
And the wonder of His life
So remember as you celebrate
Just what it’s all about
And invite the Lord to join with you
Instead of leaving Him out
For He will always be the reason
We celebrate this day
No substitute the world may offer
Can take that meaning away
© By M.S.Lowndes ~ 2007

Mary’s Song

My soul doth magnify

And glory in the Lord

His lowly handmaiden

He has chosen over all

My spirit doth rejoice

Over God my saviour

For He has truly blessed me

And shown great favour…

Blessed and exalted

Is the fruit of her womb

The promise from ages past

Was coming very soon

I wonder if Mary

The servant of the Lord

Understood with depth

The magnitude of her call

The son she brought forth

Called Holy and righteous

Blessed Prince of Peace

Forever there to guide us

Did she know that Jesus

Is the name above all names?

That no one else can save us

And take away our shame

Did Mary know His future

And who He really was?

Did she know the price He’d pay

Upon the blood-stained cross?

Oh a mother’s heart must ache

To see her first born son

Hanging from a wooden cross

Rejected by everyone

Did she know that He would rise

And walk among them again?

To eat and drink and share with them

Until He would ascend

He left with us His Holy Spirit

Forever to dwell inside

I wonder if Mary ever knew

The significance of His life

©1995 By M.S.Lowndes.

‘Christmas Bells’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Actually, it’s been sounding and looking a lot like Christmas for weeks if you’ve been in any mall or store.  It wasn’t even Halloween and stores were stocking up on decorations, gifts and holiday foods.

In years gone by I would vow to avoid stores that were pushing Christmas on me when I wasn’t even ready for Thanksgiving.  I frowned on those who put their tree up on Thanksgiving day and wondered why they felt the need to start so early. Why rush things? 

I used to get very upset and think how terrible and commercialized the retail industry has made Christmas but I have since realized it’s really our own fault.  We’ve fooled ourselves into thinking it just wouldn’t be Christmas unless there are tons of present under the tree, new holiday outfits and lots of food.  We can’t wait for black Friday or cyber Monday.  We rush all around trying to get the hottest toys and gifts for kids young and old.  We cut people off in lines, we race for parking spaces, we drive like we’re possessed and for what?  Do they really need the latest cell phone, TV, video game or sneakers? 

Every year, we toss our budgets out the door and spend way more than we can afford, then spend the new year crying about our debt.  And then, we vow to make the next Christmas one filled with meaning and love rather than presents only to fall right back into the trap. 

Each year I say I’m going to cut back and each year I don’t.  This year however will be different for many reasons but mainly because since losing my job money is tight, there is no room on the credit card to do any shopping, no money in the bank and no bills I can put off.  I’m forced to find a way to experience Christmas without lots of presents and expendable cash.  I have agonized over how I am going to give my family a nice Christmas.  How will I be able to bless them?  How will I give them a nice and joyful and meaningful Christmas?   

I know this sounds strange, but I believe not having any money for gifts has made me appreciate things beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  I’m not upset that stores are all decorated and the radio is playing Christmas music and the Hallmark channel shows Christmas movies all day.  Rather than dampening my spirit it is lifting it.  Rather than putting me in a sour mood, it’s giving me joy.  For the first time EVER, I put up my outside decorations already and I’m about to begin inside.  I can’t wait to bake cookies and make some homemade gifts.  Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to shower my family and friends with gifts and I know there will be days when I will struggle with sadness, but I also know it is the peace of our Lord that will sustain me and enable me to make it through each day.

We are not the only family having trouble but with faith and hope we can all have a Christmas filled with lots of love and meaning.  You can have everyone go through their closets and drawers and fill bags with clothes for your local shelter.  Sponsor a child or a family in need.  Go through your kitchen cabinets and fill a bag or two for your local food bank.  When you’re out filling wish lists for your family, pick up an extra toy and donate it to Toys for Tots. 

After you’ve done something for others in need, make sure you do something for your family.  Plan an outing to somewhere you’ve never been before.  Get everyone together for a family game night.  Spend a day baking cookies.  Plan a night of Christmas caroling followed by some hot chocolate and cookies.  Rekindle a family tradition or start a new one.  Instead of buying ornaments for your tree, make them!  Read the story of the Nativity, take time to pray and thank God for all He has given you because I can promise you that no matter how bad you think you have it, somewhere, someone is worse off. 

It may be looking a lot like Christmas everywhere you go, but does it feel like Christmas?  Will Christmas come without all the packages?  Yes it will!  The question is will you be ready for it, I mean really ready?  I know that through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I will be ready.