Don’t you just love Christmas music? (I DO!)
For a number of years, one of my favorite gifts to give close friends was my own Christmas CD. I never did those mixed tapes back in the day when that was the technology and all the craze. And surprisingly, record producer was never a career suggestion on any of those tests whose results come with recommended professions. However, I have had so much fun doing these, but am sad that even CDs are going by the wayside being replaced with our playlists that are already on our phones or the ever present Sirius XM and Alexa.
When I started these, I quickly realized that there is a great deal of thought and care that goes into putting an album of songs together. Even as an amateur record producer (ha), I was drawn to the idea that a CD was telling a story. There are rhythms and tones that should inform the ordering of the songs and even the song selection because it helps to tell the story. All of these factors serve to heighten the enjoyment for the listener.
Typically, I would begin with thinking about what message I want to communicate. For me, Christmas is about the birth of our Savior, the totality of the Gospel, joy, fun, and moments of reflection. This message does not change year to year, but how these ideas get communicated does.
The most important concept for me always is the idea that while Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s birth, its significance lies in the life of Christ, His death on the cross, and the atonement made for my sins through His resurrection.
One of the ways to keep this in the forefront for the listener was to include a “regular” hymn on my Christmas CD. Having a regular hymn pop-up in the midst of holiday music promotes reflection about the whole of Christ’s life and causes people to pause and think why is that song included on this CD.
My record-producing days may have come to an end as CDs become more and more obsolete. However, I hope to incorporate further the practice of pausing to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and what my Savior has done for me even though I do not merit His love.
One year the hymn included on the Christmas CD was How Great Thou Art. It was composed from a poem written in 1855, and what a gift it has been to the Kingdom throughout the years. Its lyrics are stirring. One of the best renditions of this song in recent years is by Carrie Underwood. As we begin advent and move into all the festivities of the season, join me in pausing and remembering the truths of Scriptures. Click on the Listen More button below to hear the hymn.
The Collaborative’s prayer for you would be that as you encounter the celebration of Christmas this year that your soul would sing My Savior God to Thee as found in the chorus of this beloved hymn:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Crosland Stuart, of Crosland & Company, LLC, works with The Collaborative on marketing, recruiting, and content creation. Additionally, she also works in the areas of foundation consulting, communications, and is a literary agent.
WHAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT
QUOTE: Music… will help dissolve your perplexities and
purify your character and sensibilities, and in time
of care and sorrow will keep a fountain of joy alive in you.
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer
DEFINITION: Biblical Narrative—
Creation (Gen. 1-2),
Fall (Gen. 3),
Redemption (Gen 3:15—Rev 19),
Consummation (Rev 21-22)
Thanks to Adi Goldstein for photo from Unsplash
