Christmas

An unbelievably talented family turned in a simply stunning performance of the beloved Christmas song, “Mary, Did You Know?”

The biblical Christmas story is one in which God demonstrates his astounding love, mercy and grace for humanity. He sent His one and only Son to Earth, born to a virgin in a stable, to save man from his sins. Praise God that the newborn King is here!

That story of Christ’s birth is full of miracles and love. Not only that, but it’s also one in which several people, specifically Mary and Joseph, displayed a massive amount of faith, relying solely on God’s guidance and direction. Mary and Joseph were placed in a situation in which they must have been scared, confused and full of questions. 

Even though an angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and told her what was to come and who she was to give birth to, when did she fully grasp and understand the significance of her firstborn child? That’s a question that one popular Christmas tune poses.

The Petersens, in a clip posted on YouTube, play and sing this song, which is essentially a series of questions to that lowly, humble virgin. The expertise on their various instruments is apparent, but it’s the beautiful, awe-inspiring vocal performances that sets this rendition apart from other covers.

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?”

Even those not fans of country or bluegrass music will still be able to appreciate the loads of talent and skill contained in this performance. Those young people are immensely gifted, seemingly pulling off their excellent cover of “Mary, Did You Know?” with relative ease and little effort. 

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government has been placed in his hands; and he has been named Wise Guide, Strong God, Father Forever, Prince of Peace.”

A group of musically gifted young men turned in a stunning vocal performance of a beloved and classic Christmas tune.

The Christmas season is the most joyous time of year. There are presents, food and plenty of time spent with family and friends. What is there not to love? Also, there is no shortage of Christmas tunes. Every genre, style and taste are well represented in festive, holiday songs. There are the classics from Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley and other more modern hits from people like Kelly Clarkson and Mariah Carey. 

One Christmas song that is always heard every holiday season is “This Christmas.” The song has been recorded dozens of times over the years. However, the wide-ranging familiarity does not seem to have diminished its popularity. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, a group of young men gave a lovely and dazzling a cappella performance of the song about the joy and wonder of the Christmas season. Their pitch-perfect voices and on-point harmonies are an ideal match for the song’s lyrics, helping to create a pleasant and thoroughly enjoyable listening experience.

“Presents and cards are here
My world is filled with cheer and you
This Christmas”

In keeping with the lyrics about a happy holiday gathering, the video shows two dozen or so people crowding together in a room, anxiously awaiting gifts from Santa. One of the party’s attendants, who dons the iconic red suit and hat, hands out one gift after another. 

All the gifts are received with looks of extreme delight and happiness. Everyone looks as if they can hardly wait to rip open the present to view the package’s contents. They essentially look like little children at Christmastime. 

Even after opening the gifts, their happiness and joy do not lessen even a little. All appear to be having a wonderful time, simply enjoying everyone’s company.

Isaiah 7:14 “For this cause the Lord himself will give you a sign; a young woman is now with child, and she will give birth to a son, and she will give him the name Immanuel.”

Lauren Daigle, one of the biggest names in music, turned in a beautiful cover of a Christmas tune about the evening Jesus Christ was born.

God, because of His love, mercy and grace, sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to Earth. That precious baby boy, born by a virgin in a stable surrounded by barnyard animals, brought with Him hope for a lost and broken world. The much-anticipated Son of God had finally arrived. Humanity, even in its sinful state, now had hope.

Christ’s arrival was a momentous occasion, forever changing the trajectory of human history. No other birth has nor will ever mean so much to so many. 

It is a moment to remember and celebrate. Perhaps no other song captures that feeling of utter joy and the world of difference Christ instantly made better than “O Holy Night.”

In the official lyric video posted on YouTube, Lauren beautifully belts out those memorable lyrics about the night of Jesus Christ’s birth. 

“O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears, and the soul felt its worth”

“O Holy Night” is a tune many are very familiar with, but it’s a song that one will likely never tire of hearing. The song’s lyrics detail the change that Christ made. He came with love, not condemnation. 

In a chaotic and disorderly world, He brought with Him peace and calm. He offers rest to the weary and tired. 

And while the song has been recorded by many musicians over the years, Lauren’s version has to be one of the best. Her angelic voice and the song’s beautiful lyrics are a perfect match. It is an instant classic that is likely to be played for many Christmas seasons to come.

Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

A talented group of vocalists put on a dazzling display with their upbeat and catchy performance as they celebrate Jesus Christ's birth.

Christ is the one and only reason for the Christmas season. The gifts, the meals and even the time spent with family and friends during the Christmas season would all be meaningless if not for the birth of that precious baby boy. Christ brought hope and joy into a broken and lost world. That is most certainly a reason to celebrate!

Celebrating is just what one group of musicians did with their delightful and splendid performance of “O Come (Let Us Adore).” The Joy and happiness radiating from the singers is incredibly infectious. You’ll likely find yourself singing and tapping your toe along with the song. It’s a song that will instantly put you in a good mood. 

Additionally, the beautiful lyrics perfectly capture the utter joy and happiness that followed the birth of the One sent to save man from his sins. Christ had finally made his long-awaited and much-anticipated arrival into the world.

As the song says, let all come before Him to worship and adore the newborn King!

“Let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
This is the light of the world we’ve been waiting for
Come bow before Him, the Savior is born
Let us adore Him, adore Him, Christ the Lord”

Regardless of whatever gift may be unwrapped on Christmas morning, there is one that will never, ever be topped. The Son of God, born of a virgin, was the gift given to man. His birth, and later, His death and resurrection, changed everything for all of humanity. Christ is the ultimate gift, and His birth is the only reason for any of the much-beloved Christmas traditions and festivities. 

Christ the newborn King has come!

Matthew 2:11 “And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother; and they fell down and worshiped him; and opening their treasures, they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

A group of supremely talented women showed off their beautiful voices with a stunning and awe-inspiring performance of the Christmas classic “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

The Christmas season is a lovely and delightful time of year. Beautifully decorated trees start going up, and meticulously wrapped presents begin appearing. Kindness and generosity are more readily apparent. Christmas songs also start to re-emerge in full force, being heard on the radio, in television commercials and in stores while customers shop and peruse merchandise. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, the group Cimorelli gets a little help from Rachel Nemiroff as the women sing “Angels We Have Heard on High.” It’s a startlingly beautiful rendition of a tune about the excitement and utter joy following the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly swing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains”

Their rendition is simply magnificent. Each group member delivers the lyrics about the newborn King with a great deal of enthusiasm, emotion and vigor. The young women’s excitement and joy are infectious. You are bound to find yourself singing along and tapping your toe seconds into their dazzling vocal performance. 

If there was ever an occasion for a celebration, the birth of the Son of God is certainly that moment. Because of God’s love and mercy, He sent His one and only Son to Earth to provide a lost world and broken people with hope. Christ’s birth and eventual death and resurrection offers sinners a chance at salvation and everlasting life with Him.

Christ’s birth was and will forever remain the greatest gift. No other present will ever come close to matching the moment when that precious baby, born to a virgin in a stable, finally entered the world. 

Praise God, the King of kings and Lord of lords is born! 

Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

My Pop/Rock cover of a classic.

One young, talented musician put her God-given gifts on full display with a lovely and awe-inspiring performance of a beloved Christmas classic.

Christmas is a terrific time of year. In fact, many would argue that it’s the best team of the year. Because it is a period that so many people thoroughly enjoy, there is no shortage of songs, films and classic television specials celebrating and recognizing the Christmas season. 

One of those timeless works of art heard every Christmas season and enjoyed by the masses is “Carol of the Bells.” In a clip posted on YouTube, violinist Karolina Protsenko dazzles the crowd with a mesmerizing cover of the Christmas tune. 

However, before she plays, she explains why that particular piece holds a special place in her heart.

“The next song I’m going to play is very dear to my heart,” she said. “Because it was written by a Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovich. And I was born in Ukraine. So, I really love this song and I really hope you guys enjoy it as well. It’s called “Carol of the Bells.”

What happens next is pure magic. The young woman strums on the violin while dancing around to the music as she puts on a fantastic display. She appears to really love performing and playing music. It looks to be a labor of love for Karolina. 

But unlike most of her videos, Karolina does not perform “Carol of the Bells” entirely solo. A young man, possibly her little brother, stands near her while holding an instrument. He likely contributes a chord or two to the performance. His hands can be spotted moving up and down the instrument at times. 

At the conclusion of her performance, the sizable crowd that gathered to take in her performance gave her a well-deserved round of applause. 

Karolina is a talented young woman who consistently impresses with her skills on the violin and does so once again with this Christmas-themed performance.

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

In Exodus 3:14, God said to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM." I have contemplated how the great I AM, who has always been and always will be, became a tiny human Baby inside a humble virgin. God is almighty beyond our comprehension, but it is good for us to contemplate. I have shared in this song only a very few aspects of this great I AM who humbled Himself to show us His love and save us. I pray that as you listen to this song I wrote in 2016, that you will be in awe of who Jesus, our Creator, Savior, and great I AM really is.

#humas303 #natal2023

It’s that time again, and there’s no better way to get into the spirit of Christmas than by listening to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” performed here by Elevation Worship. The song dates all the way back to 1739, and the original is perfect. Here, though, Elevation Worship adds their own touches and talents to make the perennial Christmas hymn their own. 

The lyrics for “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” were written by Charles Wesley and George Whitefield; the melody was written by Felix Mendelssohn. This arrangement includes adaptations by Chris Brown and Aaron Robertson. 

Elevation Worship is a worship music collective founded in 2007 and formed at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. The group, currently 6 members strong, leads worship at their home church each week and performs concerts across the country. They have been nominated for dozens of GMA Dove Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and/or Grammy Awards; they’ve won several.     

Their rendition of this popular Christmas carol is bold and regal, the drums accentuating the importance of the most important announcement ever made! 

With clear and ivory lights above a dimly lit floor, the singers stand in the middle of the instrumentalists—guitars, a piano, and drummers—who form a rough square around the vocalists. There are perhaps twelve or thirteen members and non-members performing and praising together.

The first verse is a solo, as is the third. The second is sung by the group, and, between those three distinct verses, there is a period of 5 to 20 seconds that sounds like triumph and jubilation in musical form. 

The world is frightening and crazy these days. So, it’s especially important to embrace the Christmas spirit now, through the holidays, and into 2024. Grab some musical, or simply enthusiastic, friends and go door-to-door to spread the joy! And sing Wesley’s “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” or Elevation Worship’s “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” whichever one suits your fancy and skill level. Both are wonderful!    

“The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:20

Multi-talented entertainer Hannah Waddingham turned in a beautiful and moving performance of the beloved and classic Christmas hymn, “O Holy Night.”

Christmas is the season to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. That precious baby boy born to a virgin in a lowly, humble Bethlehem stable brought hope to a lost and broken world. It will forever be a moment filled with happiness and unbridled joy. No child’s birth will ever be as significant for mankind as when the Son of God arrived on Earth. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, Hannah Waddingham, best known for her role on the popular Apple TV+ show “Ted Lasso,” brought the house down with a powerhouse rendition of “Oh Holy Night,” a tune about the birth of Savior. The beautifully written lyrics perfectly capture the joy and jubilation that must have been felt by all who knew that the Son of God had made His long-awaited entrance into the world. 

The song’s opening verse details the immediate change made by Christ’s birth. The world, as the lyrics state, had long awaited Christ’s arrival. But after His birth, the entire weary world rejoiced and finally experienced a thrill of hope. Everything had changed. That child changed everything for you and for me. 

“O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears, and the soul felt its worth”

Hannah, joined on stage by a choir, delivers a mesmerizing performance. She sings with such emotion and feeling while reaching for and nailing impressively high notes. 

At the 1:45-minute mark of the clip, after a particularly spectacular vocal run, she has the entire audience cheering and clapping. That was even before the song came to an end. When she is finally finished with her utterly dazzling performance, the audience, once again, erupts in a thunderous and raucous round of applause. 

Isaiah 7:14 “ Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

A talented family of musicians beautifully performed an original Christmas tune of theirs, singing about their blessings and lack of want and need.

Christmas is a tremendous season intended to be spent with family and friends celebrating the birth and the arrival of the Savior. Presents and the exchanging of gifts are often involved in those celebrations. Gifts are closely associated with the Christmas season, and sometimes too much. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, one family, The Petersens, performed “We Don’t Need Anything This Year.” It’s an original tune about being content and living in the moment, not wanting more and more. It’s a song about having the correct perspective and concentrating on the time the Lord has given us with our family. Those precious moments, such as Christmas gatherings, are fleeting. What is here one moment may not be here the next.

“Here’s a Christmas present, here’s to Christmas past
And here’s to all the first times and the last
Here’s to all the joy we have, and here’s to all the tears
Darling, we don’t need anything this year”

Too much of Christmas has become about presents and wanting this item or that object. Everyone wants something nice to open on Christmas morning, but those gifts will only bring momentarily pleasure and satisfaction. 

When it comes to Christmas, it’s important to remember it’s a time to spend worshiping the newborn King. The December holiday is also about friends, family and the memories made with those people closest to us in life.

As the song also mentions, life is short. Blink, and several years have gone by. Soak up and cherish the time we have with the people we love. It’s sad, but it’s true that we never know when it will be the last one with them. 

Most people are more than blessed, with God more than meeting our needs. Most, if they are honest with themselves, do not need anything at Christmastime.

Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

A pair of supremely talented vocalists put a unique spin on a beloved Christmas song, singing the tune in three different languages.

Christmas is when friends and family gather to recognize and celebrate the birth of the newborn King. Those Christmas celebrations and annual traditions will vary from family to family. No two families will do everything the same. 

The order of the traditions, the food served and not even the language spoken at those celebrations matters. At Christmastime, the only reason, the only thing worth celebrating and gathering for on Dec. 25 is the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a time to remember that most holy night when that precious baby boy, born to a virgin in a stable surrounded by barnyard animals, entered the world. 

A clip posted on YouTube shows how the birth and the celebration of that birth of Christ transcends language and culture. Christ was sent into the world to save all from their sins, and to give hope to all of man, regardless of culture, race or language. 

The two performers in the video give a wonderfully moving performance of “Mary, Did You Know?,” singing it in three different languages – English, Hebrew and Arabic. The performers, as they belt out the lyrics in the different languages, beautifully capture the weight and meaning of the song. 

Yes, an angel of the Lord visited Mary and told her what was to take place. But when did she realize the significance and importance of the child she was to birth and raise? 

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you”

What a powerful song that beautifully and succinctly conveys the importance of Christ’s birth to the entire world. Christ, the Savior, had come to save sinners and to give them hope and a chance at everlasting life with Him.

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

One gifted young man displayed his musical talent with a moving and stirring rendition of a beloved tune about Christ’s arrival and the events leading up to that world-changing birth.

While Mary, a lowly and humble servant of the Lord, may have given birth to Jesus Christ, she also helped to deliver hope to the world. The arrival of the Son of God, the One sent to save man from his sins, had been highly anticipated and foretold in the Old Testament. When that moment finally arrived, it must have been one of indescribable joy and happiness! 

In a clip posted on YouTube, one talented musician, Trevor Drudge, performs “The First Noel,” a song about that first Christmas – the most holy of nights. In addition to singing those beautifully written lyrics, Trevor plays the piano while sitting in a dimly lit room. Trevor delivers an emotional and beautiful performance. 

“The first Noel the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel”

The hope from Christ’s birth and his later death on the cross and resurrection was and is truly for everyone, as evidenced by the story of Christ’s birth. Mary and Joseph were not people of nobility or any notable status in society. They were willing servants of the Lord. Similarly, God notified the poor shepherds watching over their flocks about the birth of the Lord with a star in the sky. 

These were people that society looked down upon, but they were some of the first to learn about Christ’s birth, about the newborn King who brought hope with Him for all.

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Country music legend Alan Jackson gave a catchy and upbeat performance, singing about an alternative form of travel for Santa Claus this Christmas season.

Getting from Point A to Point B is always a concern for everyone, no matter the day or time of year. Having a safe and reliable form of transportation is crucial in life. No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road dealing with an unresponsive, broken vehicle. Being forced to rely on others to meet one’s transportation is humiliating and embarrassing. 

Even Santa understands the importance of having a reliable means of transportation. Several Christmas tunes specifically mention how the old, jolly, overweight man dressed all in red will fulfill his worldwide Christmas Eve journey. He’s going to bring out his trusty, old red sleigh, guided and powered by a fleet of reindeer, of course. But what if Santa opted for another way to get around on Dec. 24? Instead of reindeer power, what if he wanted horsepower?

Country singer Alan Jackson considers this idea of Santa’s form of travel in his song “Santa’s Gonna Come in a Pickup Truck.” In addition to singing about Santa’s means of transportation, Alan converses with a popular cartoon chipmunk.

Now, why would Santa decide to put his sleigh away? It’s obviously served him well over the years and across many other Christmas songs. Well, Alan places the blame squarely on the weatherman. The meteorologist was unable to bring snow to the area. So, Santa had to go with the next best thing.

But if you have any fears that Santa will encounter problems along the way due to his change in vehicles, Alan puts those worries to rest quite early in the light-hearted, fun and catchy tune.

“He’s got a big red pickup
With four-wheel drive and all
And there’s gonna be a Merry Christmas
A Merry Christmas for all”

Whether by sleigh, truck or train, Santa is still sure to complete his much-anticipated, yearly worldwide trip. 

Proverbs 16:9 “A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.”

Some of the most talented entertainers in the world of music today – Andrea Bocelli and Pentatonix – combined their voices for a splendid and magical recording of a Christmas classic, “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

God sending His one and only Son to Earth was a highly-anticipated, world-changing event. Jesus Christ’s arrival was even mentioned in the Old Testament books Isaiah and Micah. The moment when that precious baby boy was born in that lowly, humble stable changed everything for all people. That child brought hope for a lost, broken and hurting world. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, Andrea Bocelli and Pentatonix sing about the moments following the birth of Jesus Christ and bringing the child gifts fit for a King. But Andrea and the Grammy Award-winning a cappella group aren’t the only voices heard on this updated version of “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

“A Child, a Child shivers in the night
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold”

The cover is a family project of sorts. Matteo and Virginia Bocelli join their father and Pentatonix on the song about delivering silver and gold to the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. Matteo and Virginia are evidence that Andrea’s immeasurable talent and gift for sound did not stop with him.

There are hundreds of versions and covers of nearly every Christmas song. Likely, if a singer or musician has any amount of fame and notoriety, they have recorded several Christmas covers. However, this collaboration of the Bocellis and Pentatonix stands out among a very crowded field. It’s easily one of the best and most inventive versions of “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

Each performer brings their unique, distinct sound and talents, creating a most enjoyable and pleasant listening experience. It’s a version that you’ll find yourself going back to repeatedly. 

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Several immensely talented children gave a toe-tapping and energetic performance of an already upbeat and beloved Christmas tune. 

The Christmas season is a terrific, joyous and, arguably, the best time of the year. It’s a period intended to celebrate, remember and honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Christ’s entrance into the world changed the course of history forever, providing hope for anyone and everyone.

The hope that Christ’s birth, and later His death and resurrection, brought to a lost and hurting world is not limited to one specific group of people. Instead, Christ’s love, mercy and forgiveness transcends race, gender, culture and language. 

As such, many people all over the world celebrate and recognize the birth of Jesus Christ. Christ came to save all from their sins. The Bible states that all who confess their sins and believe, in their heart, that Jesus Christ is Lord will have everlasting life with Him. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, the One Voice Children’s Choir performs the Spanish-English Christmas song “Feliz Navidad.” It’s a beautiful and unbelievably catchy cover. 

All who listen and watch this entire clip will be in a decidedly better mood. There is no possible way, after listening to those splendid and delightful harmonies, anyone could be in a poor frame of mind. 

“I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart”

Not only are the vocal performances tremendously upbeat and catchy, but the video’s visuals only add and enhance the song’s already joyous, celebratory sound. 

People are dancing, swaying and moving around to the beat of the music. Bright, vibrant colors and smiles abound in the video for this energetic Christmas cover. The video is a picture-perfect representation of the joyful celebration that is Christmas Day and the entire Christmas season. 

Romans 10:9 “Because, if you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and have faith in your heart that God has come back from the dead, you will have salvation.”

Legendary entertainer Elvis Presley and one of the biggest names in country music today, Kane Brown, joined forces and turned in a powerful, moving duet, singing a Christmas classic.

Technology is constantly evolving and improving. That impact can be seen everywhere. Things thought impossible just a few years ago are now entirely doable. Technology is now available that can spit out entire resumes, poems and text message responses in seconds. 

Entertainment is just one of the areas that have felt the impact of ever-improving technology. Technology has even advanced to the point where Elvis Presley, who has been dead for decades, can sing a duet with country music singer Kane Brown. In a clip posted on YouTube, that is what happened. 

Kane joined Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll, for a duet. The two sang Elvis' beloved but somewhat depressing classic “Blue Christmas.” The results are fantastic, making for a thoroughly enjoyable performance from the two musicians. It’s a song that certainly deserves more than a handful of listens.

“I’ll have a Blue Christmas without you
I’ll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me”

Those diehard Elvis fans who believed he could do nothing wrong are sure to be pleasantly surprised with this update of the Elvis Christmas classic. Sure, there are changes and additions to this duet that weren’t in the original Elvis solo recording. 

Some sounds have been added to give it more of a country feel and sound. But while they are noticeable, it doesn’t detract from the original. Some might even argue that it adds to and enhances the original in a good way.

If nothing else, the vocal performances from Kane and Elvis are just too enjoyable to dismiss and ignore this updated version completely. 

“O come, let us make songs to the Lord; sending up glad voices to the Rock of our salvation.” – Psalm 95:1

A group of unbelievably gifted high school students put on a magnificent and stunning musical performance as they sang one of the most beloved and cherished Christmas songs about the birth of Jesus Christ.

The birth of Jesus Christ is the sole reason for the Christmas season. That precious baby boy, sent to save man for his sins, who was born to a virgin in a lowly, humble stable is why family and friends gather on Dec. 25. Those joyous and happy celebrations filled with laughter, gifts and meals are to remember and honor that evening when the Son of God finally arrived, forever changing the world.

In a clip posted on YouTube, students from Fountainview Academy, a Christian high school in British Columbia, Canada, deliver a show-stopping performance of “O Holy Night.” Of course, it’s a beloved Christmas classic about the evening Jesus Christ came into the world and the utter joy and happiness following that world-changing birth. 

“O holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appear and the soul felt its worth”

The youngsters have been blessed with voices and talent from God Himself. Throughout the nearly 5-minute video, the students consistently demonstrate their awe-inspiring skills and talent. 

Once you think they’ve done about all they can musically, they continually surprise by hitting an even higher note or incorporating an orchestra of stringed instruments played with expertise and sophistication.

Yes, the talent on camera is mind-blowing. However, equally as impressive is the work behind the camera. The entire video is expertly crafted and edited together. From the opening moments, the video feels and looks more like a feature film than a short music video.

Viewers get wide, sweeping and expansive views of the breathtaking scenery and landscapes. It’s one gorgeous shot after another. The person or persons behind the camera directing the video has a ton of talent and knowledge. The video is a literal feast for the eyes, as well as the ears. 

Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

An immensely talented young woman turned in a tremendous and awe-inspiring performance of a beautifully written song about the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Christmas season is a time for family and friends to come together to recognize and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - the Savior. It’s the time when beloved Christmas movies and television specials start reappearing on screens. Also, those favorite and classic Christmas tunes are heard again on the radio and in stores.

One song that celebrates and recognizes the miracle of Jesus Christ's birth in a lowly stable to a virgin and what it meant to the world is “Noel,” by Lauren Daigle and Chris Tomlin. In a clip posted on YouTube, a 10-year-old, Claire Crosby covers that song. 

“Noel, Noel
Come and see what God has done
Noel, Noel
The story of amazing love!
The light of the world, given for us
Noel”

Little Claire Crosby’s performance is outstanding, to say the least!

The young woman has been blessed with a God-given, remarkable singing voice. She is tremendously talented, able to sing and give an awesome performance with what appears to be little effort and strain. 

About a minute into the song, Claire’s father, who stands several people behind her and off to the side, joins in and begins singing. It’s fair to say that Claire’s vocal talents have surpassed that of her dad. She sounds much better and more confident than him throughout their performance. 

Claire’s singing is immensely impressive, and that is 100 percent clear. However, what may be even more impressive are her stage presence and poise. Claire stands on stage, singing to an auditorium of people and does not appear nervous or rattled at all. She owns the stage, obviously enjoying her time in the spotlight.

At the song's end, those looking on and taking in the performance respond with a well-deserved, hearty extended round of applause. 

James 5:13 “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let him say prayers. Is anyone glad? Let him make a song of praise.”