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Today’s Final Two Free Christmas Downloads :: “Little Drummer Boy” and “O Holy Night”

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Happy Christmas Eve!

On this eve of Christmas 2010, I leave you with two final complementary downloads – one from each of the double Glory & Peace CD set: O Holy Night from PEACE and Little Drummer Boy from GLORY. As I post these, I have been reflecting on the words of these classic carols and a few verses from the Bible that I encourage you to read and apply to your lives where you are at today:

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matt. 1:20-23 – NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 -NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 – NIV)

“Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him” (Luke 2:14 – Message)

When we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we must not forget the real reason why Jesus came. He did not come to create a nice Christian holiday called Christmas for us to give and receive presents and drink eggnog- although this is all really nice. He came to live a radical, counter cultural, anti-religious life of love and servant hood. This was displayed in every part of His time on earth from His humble, quiet birth into poverty to his scandalous life as a leader of a group of misfit disciples, to His constant challenges of the “religious leaders” of His day. The reality is, He WAS Immanuel “God with us” and we passed Him by and nailed Him on a cross. This Christmas and this coming New Year I have resolved to know this Jesus better: the one that would show such love and grace that He would go to the cross for me. I admire this man. I want to pattern my life after Him. I want to take His “yoke upon me” and “learn from Him”. I believe He was who He claimed to be: the Son the living God: The “King of Glory” and bringer of true Peace! I want to “fix my eyes on Him” and make Him my focus each day.

Little Drummer Boy
Come they told me … Our newborn King to see … Our finest gifts we bring … To lay before the King … So to honor Him … When we come …

Little Baby … I am a poor boy too … I have no gift to bring … To lay before the King … Shall I play for you … On my drum?…

Mary nodded … The ox and lamb kept time … I played my drum for Him … I played my best for Him … Then He smiled at me … Me and my drum…

O Holy Night
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, here came the wise men from Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, in all our trials born to be our friend!

Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother and in His Name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, let all within us praise His holy name!

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O holy night, O night divine!

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY TOMORROW!  Take some time away from the busyness of the day to thank Jesus for what He has done. May we all truly experience the reality of His  Glory & Peace this Christmas and into 2011. May we give Him our all!

Trevor

GLORY :: “Little Drummer Boy” http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/trevordick4
PEACE  :: “O Holy Night” http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/trevordick5

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Corrado Giaquinto – Adoration of the Magi

I want to gratefully acknowledge the amazing work of the following people who enabled the Glory & Peace project to become a reality:

The 5th String Blvd. Band :: Brad Toews, Corey Lacey, Will Jarvis and Steve Heathcote for their beautiful artistry and friendship

Richard Cleaver – Whisper Wood Studios :: Engineering and Mixing

Inaam Haq – Cherry Beach Sound :: Mastering

Russ Salamon – Salamon Photo Works :: Photography

John McDonald – Compassion Canada :: Artwork, Layout and Design


“Sojourn of the Kings” :: Today’s Free Download

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James Tissot :: Journey of the Magi

Today’s free download is “Sojourn of the Kings” from the GLORY album (also known as “We Three Kings”). This arrangement has an energetic earthy world-beat groove. It tells the faith journey of the Magi from Matthew 2:1-11:

1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”

3-4When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

5-6They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:

It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land,
no longer bringing up the rear.
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”

7-8Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”

9-10Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

11They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. (The Message Bible)

Here are some insights that came to me while reflecting on this well known story:

1/ It is good to be reminded of the countless prophesies that foretold every incredible detail of Jesus’ birth. This is just one of them from the prophet Micah declaring that the Messiah would be born in lowly Bethlehem!

2/ The wise men and women, while on their faith sojourn guided by the star in the eastern sky, upon entering Israel went directly to the capital of Jerusalem (the place where they thought the “King of the Jews” should be born). The moment they decided to enter Jerusalem, it is interesting that they lost sight of the star! They were no longer journeying by faith but were trying to use human reasoning to find King Jesus. They proceeded to ask for help of Herod and other religious leaders. Notice that when the scholars continued on with their journey of faith towards Bethlehem, the star “appeared again” and “led them on until it hovered over the place of the child”!

3/ I love the reaction of these scholars when they found Jesus: “They could hardly contain themselves. They were in the “right place” … “at the right time”! They certainly were in the center of God’s will for their lives at that moment. They show they were men and women of action: They “entered” the house where Jesus was and “saw” him. They fell on their knees, worshiped the King and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. God had blessed them for the journey of faith they had taken! May He bless us as we step out in faith and seek Him with our hearts and lives!

Enjoy today’s complementary download: GLORY :: “Sojourn of the Kings” http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/trevordick4

Trevor

Rembrandt :: Adoration of the Magi

“Do You Hear What I Hear?” :: Today’s Free .mp3

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Today’s Complementary Download is from: GLORY :: “Do You Hear What I Hear?” http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/trevordick4

This one has more of a jazzy groove with a lot of creative attention to unique sounds and tones from the instruments in the band. Enjoy and God bless your weekend!

Trevor


Caravaggio’s “Adoration of the Shepherds”

GLORY :: “Tidings (Comfort and Joy)” :: Today’s Free Download

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When the shepherds got up from their knees after the incredible angelic God-encounter, they were changed. They had seen and heard directly from the King of the Universe – their Great Shepherd! They dropped everything, stepped out in faith and immediately started a faith journey to Bethlehem. “Tidings (Comfort and Joy)”, is today’s complementary download. It is a medley of two well know Christmas carols: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Joy To the World” The arrangement starts with a heart beating, plodding, uncertainty and ends with a joyful party. This pairing of songs tell the rest of the shepherd’s story as described in Luke 2:15-20 (NIV):

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

How do I know the shepherds were “changed”? They were stirred to act immediately on what they had seen and heard: they went (hurried off) and saw Jesus. Isn’t it interesting that these sheepherders (with the lowest social status of the day) were the first to see “the Lamb of God” (their lamb)! Once more, as with another shepherd (boy) King David, God was searching the hearts of this poor motley group – open, humble hearts that were ready to receive the message and act on that message.  As you read on, a miracle happens in the lives of this group of spiritual leaders who were given boldness to spread the news to all who would listen. Were those who heard the good news as amazed by the message as the bearers of the message? … I think so. Mary “treasured up” and “pondered” these [miracle] things in her heart. The shepherds traveled back to their homeland filled with worship singing “Joy to the world, the Lord is Come”!

God is constantly at work all around us  (and in us). We need to open our eyes and search for Him –  open our ears to His still small voice. We need to have humble, servant, open hearts to be used of Him. Oh that He would change us too, to be stirred to act immediately on His calling in our lives.

GLORY :: “Tidings (Comfort and Joy)” http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/trevordick4

About the Band

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Trevor is honoured and blessed to work with some of the finest musicians in the country: Steve Heathcote (Drums and Percussion), Will Jarvis (acoustic and electric Bass), Tony Lind (acoustic and electric Guitar) and Brad Toews (Piano and Keyboards). Along with Trevor on acoustic and electric Violin and Viola, they are know as the Trevor Dick Band.