Saturday, December 24, 2011

A Brief Christmas Message to All of the Friends of This Ministry

To those of you who follow, support, pray for, and help this ministry with financial gifts, I say to you with all sincerity that I wish you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.

And I say that with the full meaning behind the term 'Christmas.' We celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is what Christmas is about to all who believe in Him.

As much as we may enjoy the peripherals, such as gift-giving, putting up a tree, watching the eyes of small children as they fill with wonder after Santa has left them shiny new toys, gathering with family and friends for meals, and such, these things do not form the real meaning of Christmas. If we had to live without all of the things I just mentioned, it would not effect or diminish the significance of Christmas one iota.

A person can commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ when they are homeless, penniless, childless, sick, friendless, and alone.

And so, my friend, I truly hope and pray that no matter what your circumstances you will pause to remember. Read the Christmas story out of the Bible in Luke 2. Find a church service tonight or in the morning, and attend. Light candles. Pray to God and thank Him for the gift of His wonderful only-begotten Son.

As for me, I will be spending Christmas as I always do in the Carolinas with family. I will sing carols about our Savior's birth. I will read the Christmas story out of Luke 2. I will be in a prayerful frame of mind as I express my gratitude for the gift of the 'dearest friend I ever had'--the Lord Jesus Christ.

This ministry is gearing up for some new stuff in 2012. A new CD of music is on the way...professionally produced with full orchestration. I am now booking for 2012. So keep me in mind when you consider special musical programs for your church. As always, these programs are free, as long as I can sell my CDs and as long as you take a special love offering to help with my expenses.

I am looking forward to seeing some of you out on the road this coming year. God bless you, each and every one, and may your Christmas be filled with love and peace!

Monday, December 5, 2011

A Christmas Treasure

I have often said that Luciano Pavarotti had the absolute best voice in all of music in modern times. But running a close second is a 20th century crooner who spent 60 years in the music business and sold well over 100 million records for RCA--Perry Como.

Como sang all kinds of music, and he did them all equally well. He could also sing a crescendo with the best of the them, full voice, and then switch to a soft, light, head-tone with equal ease. His voice was absolutely amazing.

For Christmas, I went back and dug up this rendition of Como's O Holy Night from 1969 at Hollywood Palace.  The song has become one of the most beloved Christmas songs throughout the world, and Como sings it as no other.

May God bless you richly during this special time of the year.