Christmas is the story of God’s great love for all people. No one is excluded. Christmas is the true story of God becoming man and being one among us. He was born a child whom people could see and touch. He came to shed his blood on the cross and die for the sins of all. One who looks to Jesus in faith will have his sins forgiven, become a child of God, and also inherit eternal life. This is the great hope to all which the event of Christmas brought to this world.
These nativity scenes featuring Daniela B. Peter and Stefan B. Peter help us to reflect on how God brought it all come to pass.
Songs by Daniela and Stefan
One Way Jesus
Risen
Our God Is an Awesome God
God with Us
10000 Reasons (Bless the Lord O My Soul)
Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart
I’ve Got the Joy Joy Joy
Baby Jesus We Love You
Deep Deep Deep
God Said to Noah – The Arky Arky Song (Rise and Shine)
Every Move I Make
Father Abraham Had Many Sons
Oru Divasam Noor Addukkale (Malayalam Action Song)
To the people taken captives and in exile, to a people who had nothing to look forward to or hope for, God spoke through Prophet Jeremiah asking them not to lose heart but to work with all their hearts in the land of their captivity:
But what means this song to you and me today?
One, it is a message of present opportunity. And it is a clear call to you today as well: Do not look back at lost opportunities and wasted years in life. Instead do what you find to do right now with all your heart and strength. Do it with enthusiasm.
Two, there is promise of God’s helpin the midst of hopelessness. The message is that God has not forgotten you even though he has disciplined you. He is compassionate.
Third, God has plans for your life. Even though circumstances of today seem to restrict you, do whatever your hands find to do to the best of your ability.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”2
Yes, there is a future for you. It doesn’t matter how others have tried to make you feel despair, useless, and as having no worth; God will reverse your fortunes once again.
Therefore do not yield to despair. Instead connect with God. There is no one else who can repair the smudges on the canvas of your life like he can. He listens when your heart sighs in despair and feeling of hopelessness. For,
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.3“
Now listen to the song once again: It was the voice of despair of a people taken captive in war: “Now how shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” It was the cry of broken hearts!
But that was what the captors demanded. “Sing,” they had said. 2500 years later, the very words of lamentation of a people in exile and captivity expressing their inability to sing have conquered the world as a song of hope.3
There are moments in life when each one of us feels the need of God to come and stand alongside with us as our Helper, Comforter, Guide, Counsellor and Friend. Listening to these songs can make God be real to you.
1. God Will Make a Way — Don Moen
2. Every Tiny Star That Twinkles in the Night Sky
3. O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus
4. God Will Take Care of You –Michael’s Children Home
5. 10000 Reasons (Bless the Lord O My Sou) — Matt Redman
6. The Love of God
7. “My Life is in Your Hands” sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
8. Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow — Virtual Choir
9. Softly and Tenderly — Sounds Like Reign
10. Love Lifted Me | Acoustic | Encounter Music
11. Take My Hand Precious Lord — Jim Reeves
12. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
13. Just a closer walk with thee – Patsy Cline And Willie Nelson
14. One Day at a Time — Lynda Randle
15. It Is Well With My Soul
16. The Lily of the Valley
17. May the Good Lord Bless You and Keep You
18. Count Your Blessings
19. Create in Me a Clean Heart
19. Whispering Hope — Willie Nelson
20. Jesus Loves Me This I Know — Joey + Rory
21. Fear Not I Am With Thee
22. O God Our Help In Ages Past
23. Showers of Blessing
24. Faithful One — Cliff Richard
25. Your Love Broke Through — Keith Green
26. Virtual Hymn “The Comforter Has Come” by Melharmonic Virtual Choir
27. Blessed Assurance Christian Worship Song (with Lyrics) written by Fanny Crosby
28. How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – Stuart Townend
29. Under His Wings I Am Safely Abiding
30. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
31. Love from Heaven Born Tonight — A Lovely Christmas Song for Children
32. Abide with Me — Abide With Me – Beating the Retreat 2020 – Republic of India
33. Nearer My God to Thee — André Rieu (live in Amsterdam)
34. God be With You Till We Meet Again (Russian version)
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” — Jesus Christ
1. Thine Be the Glory — Virtual Choir 2020
2. Risen — written by Shawna Edwards
3. Easter Song — Keith Greene
4. Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed (Live at the Gospel Coalition) – Keith & Kristyn Getty
5. Up from the Grave He Arose — Daniel Thornton
6. In Christ Alone My Hope Is Found
7. Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus
8. Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow
9. Matt Redman – One Day (When We All Get To Heaven) (Acoustic)
10. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today — Brookwood Praise Choir
11. Awesome God — Michael W. Smith
12. All Heaven Declares (with lyrics) – Martin Ball
13. All Glory Laud and Honour — First Plymouth Church, Lincoln Nebraska
Life is God’s gift to you. Do not nip it in the bud.
Life might not have been fair to you. But that is not reason enough to take your own life.
You might have made mistakes. Yet when you choose to live, you get a chance to redeem those mistakes made. But if you choose to end your life that is the biggest mistake you can make. You cannot undo it.
Do you say no one cares for you? God will not forsake you even if your father and mother forsakes you.
Even if a mother forgets the baby at her breast and has no compassion on the child she has borne, God says, “I will not forget you!”
He has loved you with an everlasting love. His unfailing love for you will not be shaken for he has compassion on you.*
My dear friend, thoughts of suicide can attack you at any time; sometimes without any reason at all. What should you do then?
Let me ask you what you would do if an ugly worm falls on you when you are standing under a tree? You will shake it away in disgust; won’t you? Yes that is what you should do with all negative thoughts; always! Brush them away. Do not entertain them. Do not lovingly spread a bed for them. Instead, kick them out!
If you have a friend share your struggle with him or her. Accept his or her love and care. Never deceive yourself by thinking that no one cares. It’s a lie!
My dear friend, you can come back from life’s defeats, loss of confidence and failures. Just hold on. The Bible says, “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Remember my friend, God loves you even if you don’t feel like it. Even when your problems seem so huge and unsolvable, he has a plan and purpose* for your life.
Sometimes you might have faced abuse, mental torture, and been the subject of jokes. You might be going through shame and guilt and feelings of worthlessness. Yes, I admit some memories are hard to erase.
Yet you can have a brand new beginning* in life! Choose Life. My friend, that doesn’t mean life is going to be easy, but life will certainly be meaningful when you look forward with hope as God walks along with you!
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — Jesus Christ (John 10:10, 11; 14:6 Bible NIV).
*Bible references: God’s child (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1), Father and mother forsake (Psalm 27:10), Mother forgetting (Isaiah 49:15), Loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) Unfailing love and compassion (Isaiah 54:10), Apple of God’s eye (Deuteronomy 32:10), weeping and rejoicing (Psalm 30:5b), Plan and purpose (Jeremiah 29:11), brand new beginning (2 Cor. 5:17).
Christmas is celebrated with singing of carols. At this time, a compere finds it a joyful experience to inspire audiences with the various tones, colours, and emotions of Christmas.
Presented here is the script for compering 7 great songs of Christmas. Take note that in the examples, the background of the song’s message is presented quickly and then what it means to us today is refreshingly explained.
As is characteristic of all good communication each compere segment has an Intro (the introduction which captures attention), an Inspire (the body which illuminates the inspiration that the song brings to us), and The Invite (the conclusion which persuades people to listen to the song with their hearts and minds as well)!
[Inspire:] No other birth had ever brought heaven so close to the earth; with music divine and light so glorious and bright parting the darkness. The glory shone and the message “Do not be afraid” rang out loud and clear. With angels singing and shepherds watching, the peaceful Christmas tidings of joy for all people at the birth of the Son of God was proclaimed.
[The Invite:] Here, the choir presents to you the all time greatest, the favourite song of Christmas across cultures and boundaries; “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
Song #2 Hark the Herald Angels Sing [Intro:]Angel voices are rarely heard. Yet one night long time ago in Bethlehem a great company of angels proclaimed glory to the new-born King.
[Inspire:] Its resonance is heard in countless hearts and homes even today. The wonder of the virgin birth of Jesus, the marvel of Immanuel–God with us, the amazing story of God and sinners being reconciled are all brought to us through this song. In its final sweep it raises our thoughts to the Sun of Righteousness who has risen for us with healing in his wings; to bring hope to us that those who trust in Jesus need not find death the end but a beginning; for they’ll live with God for ever.
[The Invite:] Enjoy the popular song, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” which captures the reality of Christmas in one brilliant snapshot.
Song #3 O Come, All Ye Faithful [Intro:] So many people miss the joy of Christmas because they can’t think anything spectacular about a child lying in a manger.
[Inspire:] Yet hear the prophetic voice of Isaiah, who had a quick glimpse into the greatness of this child 7 centuries before the birth of Christ. He penned these immortal and majestic words: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The song, “O Come, all ye faithful,” is a call to come and adore the King of angels; it is a call to come and bless the Lord who came to save us; it is a call to worship God with songs of triumph.
[The Invite:] Therefore come, let us with one glad accord adore this child, none other than Christ the Lord.
Song #4 Joy to the World; the Lord Is Come! [Intro:] When God pours forth his joy; he does so like a dam bursting. No one can contain the flooding and swelling of joy in one’s heart.
[Inspire:] Such joy is experienced by all those who find their sins forgiven; and hearts washed clean by the blood of the Lamb of God shed on the cross. They can then sing along with angels joyous notes and experience what the song says: “fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy.” Yes, dear friends, it is when our hearts are filled with the joy of God that we find nature too exploding with joy. This lovely song compels us to prepare our hearts and make room to receive the King at Christmas.
[The Invite:] So let us with heaven and nature sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”
Song #5 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night [Intro:] The first announcement of Christmas came to the shepherds watching over their flocks by night. They were not told this good news because they were poor or marginalized in society. There was a greater reason.
[Inspire:] It was that they were taking care of the flock meant for sacrifice. To them the good news came that no more animal sacrifices are needed; for the Lamb of God has come to take away the sins of the world by his once for all sacrifice. This first announcement of the Christmas message reminds us that God stepped into human history just like any one of us; as a child. But it was no ordinary child who lay in a manger; but the Saviour of the world; Christ the Lord. Let us therefore with the heavenly choir of angels relive that first Christmas night when the glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds.
[The Invite:] Listen now to “While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night.”
Song #6 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear [Intro:] Some moments are etched in gold in our minds. More so when it is accompanied by music that no mortals can sing.
[Inspire:] This song is set against the backdrop of the sad and lowly plains of this earth and its confusion of sounds. Above this noise, through parted skies comes to us the heavenly music floating over this weary world. Let us stop the empty noises that we make; let us stop our quarrelling and listen to the love song the angels bring even as they sing at the midnight clear. Yes, this song tells us about the sadness of man at war with each other and having no time to listen to the glorious song of angels.
[The Invite:] Yet the song, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” ends with the great hope that someday a golden age would dawn when the whole world would give back the song which now the angels sing.
Song #7 The First Noel the Angel Did Say [Intro:] This melodious song talks of the first Christmas (Noel) on a cold winter’s night.
[Inspire:] Though the birth of Christ was first announced to shepherds, slowly the song narrates how wise men from the east saw the shining star and followed it to find the King–the King of Israel. They followed the star and found where Jesus was and worshipped him with gifts. These men were forerunners of all who would come to worship him from the ends of the earth. The song ends with a forward look to the time when all with one voice will sing praises to God because Jesus redeemed man from his sins by shedding his blood on the cross.
[The Invite:] Come on, let us celebrate the movement of God’s salvation from its first angelic announcement to the day all shall praise him from the ends of the earth. Tune your hearts to “The First Noel the Angel Did Say.”
The Crescendo Compere’s Concluding Remarks
Ladies and Gentlemen, the world has had only one true Lover. He so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son to save man from all his sins. Yes, the deep longing for forgiveness and peace with God is the need of the hour. When that happens, the joy of Christmas will ring out loud and clear as songs of joy and triumph, and as melodies of love and peace. And one day with angels numbering countless ten thousands upon ten thousands, our tongues too shall proclaim aloud the praises of God our Saviour, Redeemer and Friend. The songs we heard tonight are just a curtain-raiser to that great day and event.
Hope you enjoyed the songs presented here tonight. May the peace of God guard your hearts as you leave this auditorium and let angels accompany your going out. Wish you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Thank you, one and all.
