Christmas Music List for 2012

I sure hope you're right in the middle of practicing your Christmas music!  We had a goal of starting Christmas practices by the end of September, it actually worked this year.  I wanted to post a list of songs we will be using this Christmas, just in case you're still searching.

Teen Music
"From a Cradle to the Shadow of the Cross", Lillenas, Easy-to-Excel Collection
"Happy Birthday, Jesus" - Mike Speck, "The Heart of Christmas: God's Greatest Gift, Our Greatest Choice"
"All is Well", Majesty Music
"Wise Men Still Seek Him Today" - Word Music

Young Adult Ensemble
"A Manger Filled With Love', Sally DeFord, FREE pdf downloads for personal use (defordmusic.com).  She has several great Christmas songs that are arranged for SSA, SAB, and SATB, some include instrumental obligato
"Wonderful Name", Word Music, SATB, arr. Camp Kirkland
"Son of Man, Son of God" - arr. by Sonja Poorman, Triad Music/Bruce Cokecroft and Bill Galliford
"We Beheld His Glory" - Robert Sterling/Word music

Adult Ensemble or Choir
"Christmas Joy" - takes parts of "Joy to the World", "How Great Our Joy", and "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" and puts them into an easy to learn arrangement.  Good for older choirs or groups who might take longer to learn words - they should know these!  Majesty Music, Christmas cantata, "Ten Thousand Hallelujahs."
"And His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful" - defordmusic.com
"O Little Town of Bethlehem/Silent Night" - Triad Music
"Start at the Manger" - Robert Sterling/Word music - one of our favorites!

Ladies' Ensemble or Trio
"What Can I Give to the King?" - Word Music, Ladies' Christmas Collection
"How Deep the Father's Love for Us" - Stuart Townsend
"Lion of Judah" - Word Music, Ladies' trio collection
"Cherish That Name" - Word Music, Lanny Wolfe

Christmas Offertory Ideas
"A Quiet Christmas with Christ" published by Bible Truth Music
"Hymnworks Christmas" - Linda McKechnie, piano/organ duets
Alfred Publishing - Christmas Piano Solo/Piano Duet books by Melody Bober, Kevin Costly, etc.  Written for piano students but the late intermediate books have wonderful arrangements.

Men's Ensemble/Quartet
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel" - hymnal
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" - Christmas carol book
"O Holy Night" - "Till the Storm Passes By" Book,  Two-part arrangements for men, Lillenas Publishing

I recommend purchasing the little Singspiration/Benson Christmas Favorites book.  There are many songs included in that book for all types of groups to help you have beautiful holiday music.  The Majesty and Rejoice Hymnals also have many Christmas specials.

"The Singing Goes On"

Enduring Praise Teen Ensemble singing "The Meeting in the Air" during Homecoming Revival - Bro. and Mrs. John Robinson, group leaders

Isn't it amazing that in the Christian life the singing goes on no matter what the situation?  God gives His song when we are worried, when we are completely happy, or when we are so sad that we cannot think of taking our next step.

This past month has been one of concern and prayer for many that we know who are sick or going through the unknown in the lives.  People we love and are very ill are nearer to Heaven's gates with each passing day, but we still have a song.  I have worked with many musicians this month with heavy hearts, but they are still at rehearsals, still playing their instruments, still singing through the storms.  

Church musicians, the little role you play in the services and in rehearsals means more than you know.  You are helping individuals spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically with good music and great messages.  Sometimes we need to choose songs because we need the songs and our musicians need them, not because they are popular, pretty, or fun to do.

This past month was our Homecoming Revival.  So far this month we've had over forty-eight specials. That doesn't include college chapel or the next three services.  

The Lord has given us some great songs this past month and many that have helped do more than fill the space in the service.  I practiced with some of these groups and I was helped as they sang each song.

John and Amy Robinson - "Oh, How We Need the Touch of Jesus", written by Amy Robinson

Faithful Generation Ensemble - "What Faith Does"

LBT Choir and Orchestra - "His Way is Perfect", published by the Wilds in octavo format

TBC Chorale - "He's Still on the Throne", published by NVBC in More Songs and Hymns of Revival

PraiseHymn Ensemble - "Living by Faith/Faith of our Fathers/We've Come This Far By Faith", arr. by Amy Robinson

Strength and Beauty Ensemble - "Moment of Truth"

TBC Concert Choir - "Desire the Fire" by John Marshall Family

The music department has been very busy, but we've also been very blessed because our mind has had to be focused on the God's music.  Amazing, that even when we're exhausted, the singing still goes on!

Job 35:8 - But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

Psalm 42:8 - Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night 
his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.