Participants: Dave Peterson, Lanny Wolfe, Marietta Webster
Series Code: 3CS
Program Code: 3CS000004A
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00:01 When they saw the star,
00:02 they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 00:05 We invite you to celebrate this special season 00:08 by worshipping our Savior and King. 00:11 Join us now for an evening with the Lanny Wolfe Trio. 00:27 Over mountains and valleys It led them each night 00:32 A star of most radiant light 00:37 The wise Men rejoiced as they journeyed afar 00:42 To behold such a beautiful star 00:47 And when they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy 00:52 When they saw the star they rejoiced 00:57 When they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy 01:01 They rejoiced with exceeding great joy 01:05 Great joy 01:06 They rejoiced with exceeding great joy 01:12 Other saw the star but they followed it not 01:16 To them it would come and would pass 01:21 The wise Men kept trusting with all of their hearts 01:25 That the star would find the Baby at last 01:31 And when they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy 01:36 When they saw the star they rejoiced 01:41 When they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy 01:45 They rejoiced with exceeding great joy 01:49 Great joy 01:50 They rejoiced with exceeding great joy 01:55 When they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy 02:00 When they saw the star they rejoiced 02:05 When they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy 02:09 They rejoiced with exceeding great joy 02:13 Great joy 02:14 They rejoiced with exceeding great joy 02:20 When they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy 02:24 When they saw the star they rejoiced 02:29 When they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy 02:33 They rejoiced with exceeding great joy 02:37 Great joy 02:38 They rejoiced with exceeding great joy 02:42 Great joy 02:43 They rejoiced with exceeding 02:48 Great joy 02:56 Great, great joy 02:58 Great, great joy, that's what the wise men had 03:01 when they saw the star 03:02 because the star led them to the Child in the manger. 03:06 We rejoice today 03:07 because the Child in the manger grew, 03:09 became a man, went to the cross of Calvary, 03:12 gave His life for our redemption. 03:14 Has promised us eternal life 03:16 and gave to us life more abundantly right now. 03:18 That's right. 03:19 Friend, that is cause for great, great joy. 03:22 And we had a dilemma in choosing our songs 03:27 for this one hour special. 03:30 This is Lanny Wolfe, Marietta, Dave 03:33 on behalf of the Lanny Wolfe Trio. 03:36 We're blessed to come into your homes 03:38 and to share with you 03:40 some of our favorite Lanny Wolfe Christmas songs. 03:43 The dilemma I was talking about 03:45 was choosing from over 60 Lanny Wolfe's Christmas songs 03:48 to get just a handful. 03:50 So we twiddled and we twiddled 03:51 and we finally came up 03:53 with our short list of favorites. 03:54 Hopefully some of our favorites will be your favorites also. 03:58 Hands down, Jesus the light of the world 04:01 was an easy pick from my short list. 04:03 Jesus, the light of the world. 04:14 Just one little flame in the darkness 04:22 Just one 04:24 Little flicker of light 04:30 Just one 04:32 Small glimmer of brightness 04:39 Dispelling 04:41 The darkness of night 04:47 But, oh 04:49 What God did to the darkness 04:57 With one 05:00 Little flicker of light 05:07 Oh 05:08 What God did with His brightness 05:15 When it touched 05:17 Just one other light 05:24 Then two lights reached out 05:28 With new brightness 05:32 And soon there were four 05:37 And then more 05:42 So quickly 05:44 His light conquered darkness 05:50 As new lights flared up by the score 05:58 No longer 06:01 Just one light in the darkness 06:07 No longer just one tiny flame 06:15 Now the world's aglow 06:19 With His brightness 06:23 Since the Light of the world 06:30 Jesus 06:33 Came 06:39 Jesus, Jesus 06:46 Jesus 06:48 The Light of the world 06:55 Jesus, Jesus 07:03 Jesus 07:05 The Light of the world 07:12 Worship Him 07:15 Worship Him, Worship Him 07:19 He's Jesus, the Light of the world 07:27 Worship Him 07:31 Worship Him, Worship Him 07:35 Oh, Jesus 07:38 The Light of the world 07:45 Praise Him 07:48 Praise Him 07:52 Praise Jesus 07:55 The Light of the world 08:02 Praise Him 08:06 Praise Him 08:10 Jesus 08:11 The Light of the world 08:18 Jesus 08:20 The Light of the world 08:27 Jesus 08:30 The Light 08:34 Of the world 08:38 The world 08:55 I never know when or how God is going to give me 08:58 an inspiration for a song. 09:00 But I'm always keenly aware 09:03 when I'm listening to a sermon or reading a book 09:06 or me even looking at a billboard. 09:08 Sometimes God just drops something into my heart. 09:12 And so I was flying 30,000 miles over Cincinnati, 09:15 God gave me this song. 09:21 An angel from long ago 09:24 Bent down to earth below 09:28 To Mary whispered low 09:32 Call His name Jesus 09:38 Fear not the words I say 09:41 God has favored you today 09:46 You shall bring forth a Son 09:49 And call His name 09:52 Jesus 09:57 Cherish that beautiful name 10:04 Cherish that wonderful name 10:10 Cherish that matchless name 10:17 That name is Jesus 10:23 Cherish that beautiful name 10:29 Cherish that wonderful name 10:35 Cherish that matchless name 10:42 That name is Jesus 10:50 He shall save His people from their sin 10:54 And of His kingdom there shall be no end 10:59 Both son of God and son of man 11:04 Call His name Jesus 11:10 King of kings and Lord of lords 11:15 He shall reign forevermore 11:19 So come before Him and adore 11:24 That lovely name of Jesus 11:31 No other name can save or heal 11:37 No other name can cleanse or fill that empty place 11:44 Within your soul 11:46 No other name but Jesus 11:53 When all have come and gone 11:57 That name shall still live on 12:02 So magnify Him loud and strong 12:07 That wondrous name of Jesus 12:14 Cherish that beautiful name 12:21 Cherish that wonderful name 12:27 Cherish that matchless name 12:33 That name is Jesus 12:40 Cherish that beautiful name 12:46 Cherish that wonderful name 12:52 Cherish that matchless name 12:58 That name is 13:01 Jesus 13:09 Jesus 13:14 Jesus 13:17 He means all the world 13:22 To me 13:26 Jesus 13:30 Jesus 13:34 Without Him 13:37 Where would I be 13:43 Jesus 13:47 Jesus 13:51 He means all the world 13:55 To me 14:00 Jesus 14:04 Jesus 14:08 Without Him 14:11 Where would I be 14:18 Without Jesus 14:22 Where would I be 14:32 I don't know where I would be, 14:33 I can't imagine where I would be without Jesus. 14:37 It's just something that I've always grown up with. 14:39 I had a mother who cherished that name. 14:43 She loved it and I heard that name 14:45 repeated over and over in all kinds of situations. 14:49 Now the word cherish means to value, 14:53 to respect, to revere it. 14:56 And the opposite of that is to desecrate. 15:01 And so I am so thankful 15:04 That God came in flesh 15:09 and He gave Himself a name that we could call 15:12 that's above every other name. 15:14 So He is my healer, my Savior, my Provider 15:18 and His name is Jesus, my best friend. 15:23 Thank you, Lord. 15:25 Thank you, Lord. 15:40 From the splendor of heaven 15:44 To the world down below 15:50 From a manger 15:52 To an old 15:54 Rugged tree 16:00 From the dawn of creation 16:05 Through the corridor of time 16:09 The Savior in love 16:14 He was seeking for me 16:18 He was seeking for me 16:24 Jesus was seeking for me 16:29 Though I knew Him not 16:32 Still He loved me 16:34 And was seeking for me 16:38 He was seeking for me 16:43 Oh, Jesus was seeking for me 16:49 Though I knew Him not 16:51 Still He loved me 16:53 And was seeking 16:56 For me 17:01 He was reaching for me 17:06 But I resisted His touch 17:11 Instead I reached for other things 17:16 I thought meant so much 17:21 Things of value in earth's market 17:26 I had sought all of them 17:30 But all the time I was seeking 17:35 I was seeking for Him 17:41 So I reached out to Jesus 17:46 Crying Lord, hear my plea 17:51 For I want You 17:54 To take all of me 17:59 And then out of darkness I saw His light 18:05 Giving me a brand new start 18:10 Oh, praise the Lord Jesus found me 18:14 When I gave Him all of my heart 18:19 He was seeking for me 18:24 I'm so glad He was seeking for me 18:29 Though I knew Him not 18:31 Still He loved me 18:34 And was seeking for me 18:38 He was seeking for me 18:42 Yes, Jesus was seeking for me 18:48 Though I knew Him not 18:50 Jesus loved me 18:53 Though I knew Him not 18:54 With His blood He bought me 18:57 Though I knew Him not 18:59 He forgave me Though I knew Him 19:02 Though I knew Him not 19:03 One day Jesus saved me 19:06 Though I knew Him not 19:08 Still He loved me and was seeking 19:14 Seeking 19:15 For me 19:23 For me 19:31 It was during a two week revival 19:33 that the Lord gave me a new progression 19:39 as I was playing on the keyboard, 19:41 while the pastor was speaking. 19:43 And so every night at that revival, 19:45 that same progression kept coming back to me. 19:47 And by the time we had finished the two week revival, 19:50 I had a course. 19:52 Now usually when God gives me a song, 19:54 He gives me the words and the music. 19:55 But this time it was just the music. 19:58 So I had to figure out what words God really wanted 20:00 with this wonderful progression He gave me. 20:03 Couldn't get any ideas, I wrestled with it, 20:06 finally figured out that the only thing that worked 20:09 over this musical progression was John 3:16. 20:12 So I concluded that that's what God had in mind. 20:15 So I started working on the verses. 20:18 As a matter of fact, 20:19 I was writing in a subway in New York City 20:22 and the second verse came, 20:24 I didn't have anything to write with, 20:25 didn't have anything to write on, 20:27 there's this dear elderly black sister 20:29 sitting across from me, 20:30 she loaned me her pen 20:32 and she gave me a brown paper sack that I wrote that 20:35 second verse of "For God so loved the world on." 20:40 So this almost finished 20:44 and the God that gave me the musical progression 20:45 during the revival gave the words to John 20:48 a long time before I came along. 20:51 Gave me the pen on the subway to write with, 20:55 even gave me the brown paper sack 20:57 to write the words on. 20:58 And then as if that weren't enough, 21:00 God gave me the wonderful opportunity 21:03 to showcase this song at a James Cleveland event 21:06 in Houston, Texas. 21:07 Fifteen hundred voice choir 21:10 and I'm telling you, it was so marvelous, 21:13 I thought I was next toward a heaven. 21:14 It was so overwhelming. 21:16 Since its debut that song has become a very favorite 21:20 in the black gospel community. 21:22 And so we'd like to share with you today 21:24 "For God so loved the world." 21:27 For God 21:32 So loved the world 21:38 That He gave 21:42 His only begotten Son 21:48 That whomsoever 21:55 Believeth on Him 22:00 Should not perish 22:03 Should not perish 22:08 But they shall have 22:13 They shall have 22:16 Everlasting 22:21 Life 22:27 God could have chosen 22:32 To never love again 22:37 Fallen man could go his way 22:42 And die in his sin 22:47 Oh, but God in His compassion said 22:52 "I'll pay redemption's price" 22:57 So He took on the form of man 23:02 And became the perfect sacrifice 23:10 Oh, thank you, Jesus. 23:12 Thank you, Jesus. 23:15 Now if riches could have paid the debt 23:21 Then God could have sold 23:27 All the walls of jasper 23:31 And all the streets of purest gold 23:36 But He knew the price of one lost soul 23:42 Was more than wealth could buy 23:47 And if redemption were ever bought 23:52 Only love would satisfy 23:58 For God 24:02 So loved the world 24:09 That He gave 24:13 His only begotten Son 24:20 That whomsoever 24:25 Believeth on Him 24:30 Should not perish 24:33 Should not perish 24:38 But they shall have 24:43 They shall have 24:46 Everlasting 24:51 Life 24:54 They shall have 24:57 Everlasting life 25:10 Hallelujah. Hallelujah. 25:11 Thank you, Jesus. Thank God for everlasting life. 25:13 Thank you, Lord. 25:14 He came and He was loved and if you ever meet Him, 25:18 you have to fall in love with Him. 25:20 There's no way to not come in Christ, 25:23 come in contact with the Christ of Calvary 25:25 and not fall in love. 25:26 This song says, 25:28 I've fallen head over heels in love with Jesus. 25:34 I've fallen head over heels in love with Jesus 25:41 I've fallen head over heels in love with Him 25:48 For He has turned my life around 25:52 Once I was lost but now I'm found 25:55 I've fallen head over heels 25:58 In love with Him 26:03 I thought I knew what love was all about 26:08 For I had known the love of friends and family 26:17 But when I met the One who saved me I found out 26:22 That this love was love I never thought could be 26:28 I've fallen head over heels in love with Jesus 26:35 I've fallen head over heels in love with Him 26:42 For He has turned my life around 26:46 Once I was lost but now I'm found 26:49 I've fallen head over heels 26:52 In love with Him 26:57 I get beside myself just thinking how it is 27:03 That a King would really love 27:06 Someone like me 27:11 And just to know that He is mine and I am His 27:17 Makes me want to lift my life so all can see 27:23 I've fallen head over heels in love with Jesus 27:30 I've fallen head over heels in love with Him 27:36 For He has turned my life around 27:40 Once I was lost but now I'm found 27:43 I've fallen head over heels in love with Him 27:50 I've fallen head over heels in love with Jesus 27:57 I've fallen head over heels in love with Him 28:03 For He has turned my life around 28:07 Once I was lost but now I'm found 28:10 I've fallen head over heels 28:14 Head over heels Head over heels 28:18 In love 28:20 With Him 28:25 Well, that song almost didn't make it 28:28 on our short list of favorites because Marietta said, 28:32 "Why are we putting that song on there, 28:34 it's not a Christmas song?" 28:36 Well, if you go back to our first Christmas project, 28:39 it's on our first Christmas project 28:41 and I'm not sure 28:43 why it was on our first Christmas project 28:44 except we must have needed one more song. 28:47 That's right. That felt really good. 28:48 And it feels good. 28:50 So head over heels was on our first Christmas project 28:53 and it ended up on our short list of favorites today. 28:56 And I love the song. Yes. 28:58 It would have been so easy for me 29:01 to not go on to the Christmas production 29:03 for the Houston First Baptist Church 29:05 Christmas production. 29:07 Saturday December the 14th 1996, 29:11 can you imagine back that far? 29:14 First of all because I wasn't feeling well. 29:16 This is such a long story, 29:18 we don't have time to even tell the story in an hour. 29:20 Somebody had given me a ticket that they had bought. 29:23 And so I said, okay, I don't feel well but I'll go anyway. 29:28 I had no clue what God had in mind, 29:31 because in retrospect I see that 29:33 God had been working 36 years to put a puzzle together 29:38 of which my being at that church that night 29:41 was the last final piece of the puzzle. 29:44 I didn't know it. 29:45 So I got there, they had this beautiful program 29:48 that I got it at the door. 29:50 And on the front it says, a season 29:53 and then you open it up, it says, a star 29:56 and you open it up one more time 29:57 and it says a savior. 29:59 And I thought what a beautiful program 30:02 and I said that's a wonderful ring. 30:05 Max locator would like that 30:06 SSS, a season, a savior, a star. 30:09 So I sat there all evening waiting for 30:12 a season, a star, a savior but it never came. 30:17 And I finally figured out that 30:19 it was just a nice title for the production. 30:21 But walking from the sanctuary to my car in the parking lot 30:26 a season, it just started rolling out. 30:30 And then I had to rearrange it 30:32 because as a song it didn't fit this. 30:35 So that became a season, a savior, a star. 30:40 And so by the time I got home, the whole course was written 30:45 and then it turned into a whole song. 30:47 I do believe that the steps of a good man 30:50 are ordered by the Lord. 30:51 And in spite of the fact that I didn't feel well, 30:54 had I not gone to that production that night, 30:57 this song would never have been born 31:00 and furthermore, this music would never have been born 31:04 by the same title a season, a savior, a star. 31:09 Thank you, Jesus. Amen. 31:18 A season, a savior 31:23 A star 31:27 We are reason 31:30 He came from afar 31:35 To redeem us from the fall 31:39 Oh, the wonder of it all 31:45 A season, a savior, a star 31:50 Star was born 31:54 One night in Bethlehem 32:00 Yes, a star was born 32:04 For all mankind 32:10 Just a tiny babe 32:15 Named Jesus 32:21 But a star for now 32:23 And all of time 32:30 A star for now 32:33 And all of time 32:40 My favorite scripture 32:42 in the whole Bible is Jeremiah 29:11. 32:45 It simply says, 32:47 "For I know the plans that I have for you 32:49 declares the Lord. 32:51 Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. 32:54 Plans to give you a hope and a future." 32:57 The babe in the manger came into this world, 33:00 so that we could have a hope for the future. 33:03 The gift of hope was wrapped in swaddling clothes 33:06 and the Child gave us hope for this life and life, 33:10 you have to sing it, Dave. 33:12 Hope was born 33:15 One night in Bethlehem 33:21 Yes, hope was born 33:25 For all mankind 33:30 Just a tiny babe 33:35 Named Jesus 33:40 But hope for now 33:43 And all of time 33:51 Hope for now 33:53 And all of time 34:10 They laid Him in a lowly manger 34:16 For there was no room 34:18 In the inn 34:22 And though a King 34:24 He was a stranger 34:28 To the little town of Bethlehem 34:34 How strange that those so close around Him 34:40 Now seems so very far away 34:46 Well, wise men from the afar 34:48 They found Him 34:52 His star shone bright 34:54 To light the way 34:57 And wise men 35:02 Still seek Him 35:05 Today 35:10 His light still shines 35:13 To point them 35:15 To the way 35:20 The fools 35:23 Have said 35:25 In their hearts 35:28 There is no God 35:32 Wise men 35:34 Still seek Him 35:37 Today 35:43 You may have sought 35:45 For earthly pleasure 35:49 Things of this world to satisfy 35:55 But now you seek another treasure 36:01 Which wealth or money 36:02 Cannot buy 36:07 It matters not just 36:09 Where you've been my friend 36:13 The Lord Knows 36:15 How you feel within 36:19 And if you'll give your heart 36:22 And life to Him 36:26 He'll bring your searching 36:28 To an end 36:32 Wise men still seek Him 36:38 Today 36:43 His light still shines to point them 36:48 To the way 36:54 The fools have said in their hearts 37:01 There is no God 37:05 Wise men still seek Him 37:10 Today 37:18 Jesus is still the answer 37:24 And though time and ages roll 37:30 Jesus is still the answer 37:35 He's the answer for your soul 37:41 And though some may say 37:44 He doesn't fit 37:47 With their philosophy 37:51 I know Jesus is still the answer 37:57 He's always been and always will be 38:04 If you're searching today for something. 38:08 It doesn't matter what it is, 38:10 because God has the answer to everything. 38:13 Jesus is the answer that you're seeking for. 38:16 You don't really know why you're going places 38:19 and looking maybe in all the wrong places 38:23 for right things. 38:26 If you'll come to Jesus, 38:27 you'll just take Him into your heart 38:30 and ask Him to shine His light 38:33 so that you can get out of this dark place that you're in. 38:37 It might be sickness, 38:39 it might be some kind of financial need, heartache, 38:44 whatever it is, 38:45 Jesus is the only answer you need. 38:49 He'll answer all of your problems. 38:52 Jesus is still the answer 38:58 And though time and ages roll 39:04 Jesus is still the answer 39:09 He's the answer for your soul 39:15 And though some may say He doesn't fit 39:20 With their philosophy 39:24 I know 39:26 Jesus is still the answer 39:30 He's always been and always will be 39:35 And wise men still seeking 39:42 Wise men still seeking 39:47 Wise men still seeking 39:52 Today 39:59 Thank you, Lord. 40:10 No room 40:13 No room for Him 40:17 No room to let Him in 40:24 No room for Jesus 40:27 In the world He made 40:30 Just for Him 40:39 No room for the King of kings 40:45 Room for others, and for other things 40:52 Oh, but no room for Jesus 40:57 In the heart He made 40:59 Just for Him 41:08 Room for houses, lands and pleasures 41:15 Room for things that pass away 41:22 But for the one who reigns forever 41:30 There's no room today 41:38 No room 41:41 For the King of kings 41:45 Room for others, and for other things 41:52 He just keeps knocking but he hears you say 41:58 No room 42:05 And so it is today as it always has been. 42:09 No room. 42:11 This time He does not seek entrance into a crowded inn 42:16 or acceptance to a blood thirsty crowd. 42:20 He is seeking admission into your heart. 42:25 You say you're so busy 42:26 doing things, going places, seeing people 42:30 that you did not have time, no room for Him. 42:35 He knows how it is, 42:37 He's waited before. 42:39 No, He will not force His way in, 42:43 He only knocks gently. 42:47 I'm sure He wonders why it wasn't enough 42:50 just to have made you and fasten your heart 42:55 as a place for Him to stay. 42:58 Oh, if you only knew how much He loves you. 43:03 Can you feel Him knocking now? 43:06 Room for houses, lands and pleasures 43:13 Room for things that pass away 43:20 But for the One who reigns forever 43:28 There's no room today 43:33 Room today 43:39 No room 43:42 For the King of kings 43:46 Room for others 43:48 And for other things 43:54 He'll just keeps knocking till He hears you say 44:02 Come into my heart 44:08 Into my heart 44:14 Come into my heart 44:21 Today 44:34 Come in, Jesus. 44:38 Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. 44:41 And He's still knocking today. 44:43 If you've not received Him as your personal savior, 44:46 He's waiting with open arms. 44:48 I'd written quite a few second coming songs. 44:52 And because of that I felt 44:53 that God may have been wanting me to write 44:55 a musical with that focus. 44:57 So I took the idea to my publisher. 45:00 And they quickly shot it down 45:03 because they said 45:04 it wouldn't be well received in the marketplace. 45:06 And of course, they know because they are the publisher. 45:09 They say we should do another Christmas musical 45:12 as a follow up to the successful, 45:14 Noel, Jesus is born. 45:16 So the president of Benson Company, 45:17 I won't mention his name. 45:19 He said, "Lanny, why don't you write a song about Isaiah 9:6." 45:23 So I went home disappointed 45:26 but I wrote the song, 45:27 I came back to Nashville and I presented the song to him 45:32 and he said, 45:33 "Well, I don't think we should put in the musical." 45:37 And furthermore, 45:40 "Lanny, I think you can write a better song." 45:44 Well, I felt so strongly about the song 45:46 that God had given me 45:47 even though the president has signed it 45:50 that I begged and I pleaded 45:51 and finally he can sent it to us, 45:53 put it in the Christmas musical. 45:55 So Don Marsh did an arrangement of the song. 45:58 Brought the song back to the president 46:01 of Benson Company and rejected it. 46:05 He was good at rejecting. 46:06 And so I suggested, I said, 46:08 "Why don't we do a duet with choir kind of concept." 46:12 And then I suggested, 46:14 why don't we do Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris. 46:16 So Don Marsh went away again, 46:18 did an arrangement with that concept in mind, 46:20 brought it back. 46:22 It got approved. 46:24 Sandi and Larnelle came in, 46:25 we're not even in the studio at the same time. 46:28 Larnelle came in, 46:29 they'd had a what they call a dummy voice 46:31 so he could work around it. 46:33 And then Sandi came in later, put her voice on. 46:37 They sang it at the praise gathering in November, 46:39 got a standing ovation, the rest is history my friends. 46:44 In February of 1984 46:48 they got a Grammy for their performance. 46:50 Two months later, the song "More than wonderful" 46:52 got a debut award for song of the year. 46:56 And I who is supposed to have written a better song 47:00 got a debut award for song writer of the year. 47:03 So what did I learn from all this, 47:05 number one, if I had got in my way 47:08 and we done a second coming musical, 47:11 the president would have never ever signed me 47:13 to write a song about Isaiah 9:6 47:15 and consequently 47:17 the song "More than Wonderful" would never have been born. 47:20 Furthermore, 47:24 I learned that when God gives you a child 47:28 whatever it is, I'm a song writer, 47:29 God gifts me that a gifting. 47:32 So whatever your gift is, God gives us all gifts. 47:35 Whatever God gives you that child 47:37 you are there to protect it. 47:38 The angel told Joseph, 47:40 "Don't go back the same way you came." 47:42 That was to protect the child. 47:44 So whatever child God has given you, 47:47 protect it from every Herod. 47:50 I'm so glad that I have found out 47:53 that Jesus was, is and always will be 47:57 not just wonderful, He's more than wonderful. 48:00 And I think it's interesting to note that 48:02 in all six Christmas musicals. 48:05 Passed thou should call his name Jesus 48:07 which more than wonderful showed up in. 48:09 All six of those Christmas musicals 48:12 end with a second coming song. 48:14 There you go. You got it. 48:16 More than wonderful. 48:25 I stand amazed when I think 48:29 The King of glory 48:33 Come to me 48:34 Within the heart of man 48:41 I marvel just to know 48:43 He really loves me 48:47 When I think of who He is 48:50 And who I am 48:57 For He's more 49:02 Wonderful 49:05 Than my mind can conceive 49:08 He's more wonderful 49:12 Than my heart can believe 49:15 He goes beyond 49:18 My highest hopes 49:21 And fondest dreams 49:28 He's everything 49:32 That my soul ever longed for 49:37 Everything He's promised 49:40 And so much more 49:43 More than amazing 49:46 More than marvelous 49:49 More than miraculous 49:53 Could ever be 49:55 He's more than wonderful 50:00 That's what Jesus is to me 50:09 He's everything 50:14 That my soul ever longed for 50:17 Everything He's promised 50:20 And so much more 50:23 More than amazing 50:27 More than marvelous 50:30 More than miraculous 50:34 Could ever be 50:36 He's more than wonderful 50:41 More than wonderful 50:44 That's what Jesus 50:51 Is to me 50:55 That's what Jesus 51:00 Is to me 51:13 Hallelujah. 51:19 The song writer in me loves to go to card shops. 51:22 I just like to look at the cards. 51:24 I may see some word, I may see some phrase 51:27 that ignites inspiration for a song. 51:29 So one Christmas season, 51:31 I was standing in front of a sea of Christmas cards. 51:34 And I noticed that I kept seeing 51:37 happy holidays and seasonal greetings. 51:39 And I saw very few Merry Christmas cards. 51:42 So I got concerned, I went to the owner I said, 51:44 "What's this all about?" 51:46 And he said, "Well, there's a certain 51:48 commercial in secular movement that's in place 51:52 to do away with the word Christmas 51:54 because it has Christ in it. 51:56 So as not to offend non-Christians 51:59 and the bottom-line for the card stores is 52:03 not to jeopardize card sales. 52:05 So I went away that day more determined than ever 52:08 that I would focus and do my part 52:11 to not let the trappings of Christmas 52:13 keep Christ out of the center of it. 52:15 And so the next musical I wrote was 52:18 Jesus, the heart of Christmas and it features that song. 52:21 And keep Christ in Christmas. 52:28 Jesus is the very heart 52:32 Of Christmas 52:35 This baby born into 52:38 A cattle stall 52:43 And He is still the reason 52:47 For the season 52:50 So keep Him as the center of it all 52:59 In your heart Keep Him as the center of it all 53:12 Keep Christ 53:15 In Christmas 53:19 Don't ever take Him out 53:27 Keep Christ 53:30 In Christmas 53:34 For He is what it's all about 53:42 Yes, He is what it's all about 53:53 When I was growing up, 53:56 no one would have thought to write a song saying, 54:00 keep Christ in Christmas. 54:03 People didn't think of doing anything else. 54:07 Everyone it seem, the majority, 54:10 they had Christ in their minds 54:13 when they thought about Christmas. 54:15 They would put nativity scenes under their Christmas tree. 54:20 They had more time for family things 54:24 and they just taught their children 54:27 that this is the reason we have Christmas 54:29 is because Jesus was born. 54:32 We're celebrating His birth. 54:35 And unfortunately through the last few years 54:39 there has been a drastic turn in our society. 54:43 They are trying to take Christ out of not just Christmas 54:47 but everything, 54:48 out of the schools, out of all kinds of things 54:52 that children can't sing the other Christmas songs 54:56 like they use to that mentioned Christ. 55:00 They've got to sing about the season and the holiday 55:03 that don't put any of that Christ must stuff in there. 55:08 Oh, God please help us. 55:11 Lord, I'm tired of people changing our society 55:16 and trying to remove everything 55:18 that has been in our value system, 55:20 all, for these generations in America, 55:24 who would have ever thought in America. 55:27 And I refuse, I as a mother and a grandmother, 55:31 I'm not going to allow 55:32 my children and great grandchildren 55:34 to grow up not knowing what Christmas is all about. 55:39 I'm gonna go on a war to keep Christ in Christmas. 55:43 I want to keep Him in all of my life. 55:46 He is the center of my joy. 55:49 And so we're gonna keep Christ in Christmas. 55:52 Whatever you're having this Christmas, 55:55 you may not have a happy Christmas 55:57 that you were expecting, 55:59 the most wonderful time of the year. 56:02 This maybe a sad Christmas. 56:04 It may be a lonely Christmas 56:06 but if Jesus is in it, if you have Him in your house, 56:11 if it's just you and Jesus, 56:13 looking at the lights of the Christmas tree 56:15 and you're saying thank you God for coming in the form of man, 56:20 becoming a babe and taking on our sins 56:24 and going to a cross and dying and then rising again, 56:28 so that we could have life evermore. 56:30 I thank You, I thank You 56:33 and you'll have one of the best Christmases you've ever had. 56:36 Let's pray right now. 56:38 Lord Jesus, we thank You for this time 56:41 that we have spent 56:42 talking about You, coming to this earth, 56:46 taking on the form of man. 56:48 You loved us so much 56:49 that You were willing to do that. 56:52 And we thank You, we thank You Lord 56:55 for sending Your light for seeking for us. 56:58 And I pray now that You would look out over this TV audience, 57:03 the people who are listening right now. 57:05 I pray that You would touch them 57:07 with Your love, with Your peace, with Your joy. 57:11 Help someone to call out to You today and say 57:14 Lord, I need You, I need Your light, 57:18 come into my heart Lord Jesus. 57:21 I want You to be with me for Christmas. 57:23 Keep Christ in Christmas 57:29 For He is what it's all about 57:37 Yes, He is what it's all about |
Revised 2023-12-19