faithMile

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2UOpiLrNkc[/youtube]

This song is from Boyz II Men’s Christmas interpretations. It includes the traditional “Silent Night” but also has some great new Christmas songs, like this one. This song has it all: syncopated rhythms, beautiful harmonies, a catchy chorus, musical changes, and a wonderful Christmas meaning that includes reverence for God and sharing love with others.

Even though I’m in sunny Southern California, this song makes me imagine that I’m in a wintry cabin by a fireplace, wrapped in flannel blankets. It’s like a musical hug.

Boyz II Men has the distinguished honor of having two songs on the list. The other will come later. Enjoy this one now!

Lyrics:

It’s the time of the year again for you to share
All the love that you have
With every woman and every man to share love

Christmas day is here
And the lord is what is near
To share love with your family and thank God for allowing you to see that

Christmas is the time to share
With the one you love share good things
Joy, glad tidings
Share love
Giving all you have this day
Lets the world know you care
Know you will be there to share love

Families all around
Children are happy with what they found
Giving things on this day and thanking our God
For teaching us the way to share love

As the snow is falling down
Presents unwrapped under the tree
Bringing tidings of great joy to every little girl and boy, you know

Christmas is the time to share
With the one you love share good things
Joy, glad tidings
Share love
Giving all you have this day
Lets the world know you care
Know you will be there to share love

Now the true meaning of Christmas
Is falling on your knees
Thanking the lord for what he’s done
Giving the world His only Son

Christmas is the time to share
With the one you love share good things
Joy, glad tidings
Share love
Giving all you have this day
Lets the world know you care
Know you will be there to share love

Christmas is the time to share
With the one you love share good things
Joy, glad tidings
Share love
Giving all you have this day
Lets the world know you care
Know you will be there to share love

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNdVU_PC978[/youtube]

I first heard this song on a televised concert called The Spirit of Christmas. A group of musicians decided to create the concert in order to raise funds to end hunger in Africa. I fell in love with the song the first time I heard it, and I’m glad I can share it with you.

Here is an exerpt from Christy about how she came up with the song:

Just after my third child was born I was asked to write a song for a special project that our church was working on. It would be a Christmas record, a collaborative effort from artists that were members of our church to raise money for African Missions. My heart resonated with the idea of contributing a song that would help raise money for our brothers and sisters in Kenya, Nigeria and the Sudan. But In the sleepy haze of becoming a parent of 3, I was not sure I could actually rise to the occasion. My husband Nathan and I sat down several times to try to tackle some old Christmas song ideas from the past, but nothing was stirring that felt right for this particular project.

A few nights later I was holding my newborn daughter in just the lamp light of our bedroom. I began to study her hands, her chin and her tiny mouth… Her chest was held close to my heart with her face angled up where I could feel her breathing on my chin. I grabbed a notebook from the table next to me and began to jot down little phrases, just capturing the beauty of that moment as best I could.

Click here for the rest of the story, along with lyrics and a download.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF2BzUDeTkY[/youtube]

Beautiful Basque carol originally written by Sabine Baring Gould. The lyrics are wonderful (below) and Sting’s interpretation is sublime.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow
His eyes as flame
“All hail” said he “thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured lady,” Gloria!

“For known a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel,
By seers foretold
Most highly favoured lady,” Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,
“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.”
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!

Of her Emmanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn
And everyone throughout the world forever saved
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!