Starting a Christmas Tradition

Last year, I started two traditions with my family. First, I am going to give a gift to Torin, something him and I can do together and something that he can kind of expect every year as our thing. We started an HO collector train pieces - it started last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers' train and village. This year we continue on with the Ben Rothelisberger #7 train collection.

I also want Torin to understand the concept of giving from the beginning of his life. Part of that concept, that it far better to give to those in need than just giving to people's wants. Also, I want him to be missions minded as he gets older, I want him to have a love and appreciation for missions. Another aspect, is that as he gives, he gives more than just a material gift, he gives a gift of life, he gives a very practical gift to someone who has great needs. Finally, I want him never take for granted all that he has and that is so important not to hold on tightly our blessings but to have a open hand to give.

Last year, we started to give through NCC's Mission Catalog, last year we bought a goat for a family in Ethiopia, we all bought bricks to help build an orphanage for kids in Uganda. This year we continue that tradition by buying housing for 20 street kids in Ethiopia through - http://aoneeight.org/marketplace/ it is a great way to give a gift of life in so many ways. Perhaps, one day when Torin gets older he may take a mission trip to Ethiopia or Uganda and meet some of those that he was able to bless.

I am saving all these gifts for him so he can see the investment that he has made over the years. I feel like both of these traditions will be huge especially as Torin gets older.

One tradition is a gift of shared experiences between father and son and the other is a gift to others that has no strings attached, it is a way to simply bless someone else and give the gift of life, love and hope.

Scandal of the Virgin Birth (Message)

This past weekend, during the Blizzard of 2009, I had the honor to preach at the Kingstowne location as a part of NCC's hybrid preaching weekend where the different Campus Pastor's had the huge opportunity to preach. We continued the series SCANDAL - where we talked about the Scandals that surround the Christmas Story, in many ways we neutered and repackaged the Christmas story in a nice little neat package.

This weekend, we talk about the Scandal of the Virgin Birth here is the message in transcript form that I preached this past weekend.

Scandal of the Virgin Birth


This weekend, we continue the series Scandal. We have talked about several SCANDALS over the last few weeks. In so many way we have neutered the Nativity Story and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.

This weekend, we will take a TMZ look at the Virgin Birth.

What about event of the Virgin Birth of Jesus? The most important event and one of the miraculous events so far in the history of creation. An event that is surrounded in Scandal

God himself leaves his heavenly throne, and comes to earth as a human, and not only that, as a helpless infant.

Let me ask you, if you were planning the arrival of God himself, destined to save the world, is this the method you would choose?

If it was up to me, I might have him arrive with fire, or clouds, or in some golden chariot, it would be like a rock show, or something with pyrotechnics and lots of cool lights. But coming to earth as a baby, born to a virgin no less?

Why would the gospel story begin on such a scandalous note?

Speaking of scandalous, let’s consider the human practicalities of a Virgin Birth. Obviously, to have a virgin birth, someone has to be embarrassed! What is our first reaction upon hearing such news? YEAH RIGHT!

This has an episode of Maury Povich written all over it. I got pregnant by the Holy Spirit. And my husband is not my Baby’s daddy.

I can just see Maury doing the whole paternity test…only to find out that God Himself is the Father of Jesus.

When Jesus Christ was born that first Christmas, nobody expected it. It was totally unplanned. Nobody had made any plans for it at all. In fact, it messed up everybody’s plans. Looking in retrospect, Jesus invaded the lives of people who least expected with the Gospel of Love, Peace and Truth.

It messed up King Herod’s plan because he wanted to be king of the Jews and here was a Messiah coming.

It messed up the shepherd’s plan because they were planning on another quiet night with the sheep.

It messed up the religious leaders’ plans because they were expecting a political leader Messiah who would come and set them free from Roman captivity and Jesus came along and said stuff like, “Turn the other cheek,” and “Go the second mile,” and “Love your enemies”. They were saying, “Wait a minute, Jesus. That’s not what we wanted.”

It messed up the innkeeper’s plan. He ran out of space.

But most of all, it messed up Mary and Joseph’s plans. Mary and Joseph were just a young couple, barely teenagers and all they wanted to do was get married and have little Mary’s and Joseph’s.

In their wedding preparation, during their engagement period all of a sudden God comes along and says, “I’m changing the plan a little bit.” This plan is covered in all kinds of scandal. Check it out!

And the angel said to Mary and Joseph, “Mary, three things are going to happen. One, you’re going to get pregnant before your wedding day. Two, it’s not going to be Joseph who’s the father. It’s going to be a virgin birth. It’s going to be a miracle like has never happened. And three, by the way, the baby is going to be God.” That messed up their plans just a little bit. They weren’t at all expecting that to happen.

Here we have a 14 year old Jewish girl, with no resume, an ordinary girl, nothing really all that special, there is nothing that included or excluded her from being used by God to bring us the gift of Jesus Christ. One thing, I must say about Mary she had humility. This was displayed in her actions.

With anything unexpected like this especially something this SCANDALOUS and HUGE it was certainly a character building time for both Mary an innocent 14 year old girl and Joseph, a teen age boy who just so happens to fall in the genealogy of David.

What God conceived in Mary just messed up their plans, but I would submit to you it messed a lot of people’s plans.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION (TAKEAWAY): What is God conceiving in you? Maybe it is not scandalous, maybe it is not a child---but God is birthing something SPIRITUALLY inside of each of here this weekend---it may even mess up your plans, but it will ultimately fulfill God’s greater purpose and plan in your life, in the lives of those around and even believe it or not, for history to come.

Apart from the Incarnation, we would never fully know the depths to which we are loved or the lengths to which God can be trusted. That's why we celebrate each Christmas.

Through this Scandal of the Virgin Birth and in spite that so many of those who were involved in this Scandal plans were totally messed up here what we can learn from the circumstances surrounding the Birth of Christ and how we can put into perspective what God is conceiving and wants to birth inside of us.

First thing we learn from the Virgin Birth…
1. That God wants to get our attention
-Every good scandal gets our attention, many scandals gets dragged out in the news ad nausea for weeks on end.

- Nevertheless, scandals get our attention and many feed off of it, we actually buy the magazines and watch the shows about SCANDALS,

-God uses things to get our attention ---. In Mary and Joseph’s case the plan was so fantastic, so unbelievable, so once in history kind of event that God had to use supernatural means to convince them it was really going to happen. They wouldn’t have believed it any other way. He sent an angel who said, “This is what’s going to happen. You’re going to be the father of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. I’m God. I’m coming to earth in human form and this is going to happen before you have sex. Seriously, you got to be kidding me? There is no way!

-I think the question we need to ask ourselves is this; does God have my full attention? If not what does God have to do to get my attention?

Let US Read Luke 1:26-38 – I want to make a very quick observation, you may want to write this down because I don’t want it to get lost in the rest of the message---Here it is ----Nothing is impossible with God for those who find favor with him. If you want to find favor with God let him get your attention, listen to what he wants to speak to you and what He wants to do in your life.

-If God wanted to birth something huge in your life, if He wanted to use in a profound and extraordinary way. If He had an amazing plan for you? If He wanted to do something inside of you that would dramatically change the course of your life but change human history, what would your response be to HIM?

-I love Mary’s response, Luke 1:38 – I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me as you have said

-If I could sum up this message --- it would be in those simple and profound words that Mary spoke – It didn’t matter to Mary the consequences, the repercussions, the scandal that was going to surround this whole situation, the circumstances, or the changes that were going to take place she willingly said - I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me as you have said

-Look I never had a baby---but being married to an amazing woman who carried my son for nine months I understand there is a lot of changes that happens inside the female when they are pregnant hormonally and physically and even emotionally --- Mary was willing to put all that aside.

God certainly got Mary’s attention and she responded.

-Here is the thing, I would have put all of my attention on the situation at hand----I would have probably at least had to think about, weighed the pros and cons.

-How about the man, how about Joseph? Joseph could have easily broken off the engagement and gone away quietly. Matthew 1:18-25

-God got Joseph’s attention in a dream with an angel---Joseph’s response was to stay with Mary and take her as his wife, the Bible said he did not have sexual relations with her until Jesus was born. Joseph, responded in obedience after God got his attention,

-Okay we looked at the parents at how God got their attention and how they responded.

-Let us check out the wise men from the eastern lands - Matthew 2:1-2 & v9-12 - God got their attention with a star in the sky. These men were astronomers they studied the stars---I love this God got their attention with something they were passionate about. There response was to travel a long way to worship Jesus and to bring him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Then they went out of their way to get back home.

-Let us look the shepherds, that were nearby chillaxin with their flock, God got their attention with the angel of the Lord in the field Luke 2:8-20 - I love their initial reaction when the angel appeared to them they were terrified --- uh yeah, here they are out in the fields hanging out with the sheep and out of no where an angel of the Lord appears with the glory of the Lord around them. I would have needed to change my underwear after that…

-God got the shepherds attention and they responded by not only leaving their job of watching sheep to go to Bethlehem---not sure if they took vacation time or called in sick, but the it says that they hurried to the village where Mary and Joseph and Jesus were to see Jesus in the manger but after that they left and let others know about what they saw. Then they went back to their jobs glorifying and praising God.

-How the King of the known region at the time, King Herod, God got his attention through the wise men who were coming not to worship him and bow before his throne, but before baby Jesus. Unheard of right? Can I just say this dude had so major insecurities and had an issue with pride. I think most insecurities comes from pride.

-What was his response to birth of Jesus, first he was disturbed, called a meeting of his religious leaders, had a private meeting with the wise men. When the wse men outsmarted him and went a different way to avoid Herod, Herod got furious and he sent soldiers out to kill all the boys in around Bethlehem who were two years old or younger. Seriously, he was that insecure?

-Here is the deal God wanted to confront a dominant world systems, and give us a King. God totally messed of the plans of King Herod, who wanted world domination.

-The King was not going to be born into a palace or to existing royalty; this King was going to be born in a manger in a cave somewhere to young Jewish girl and a step-father who is a carpetenter.

-God used different means to get different peoples attention so His plans could be fulfilled. Each one had different responses.

-I ask you, what is God doing to get your attention for His plan He conceiving in your life, how are you responding? Let me also ask you how will you respond to Jesus in your life?

-When God wants to get your attention He may interrupt your plans - I love what William Arthur Ward said,
“Interruptions can be viewed as sources of irritation or opportunities for service, as moments lost or experience gained, as time wasted or horizons widened. They can annoy us or enrich us, get under our skin or give us a shot in the arm. Monopolize our minutes or spice our schedules, depending on our attitude toward them.”

-This leads me to the next thing we can learn through the scandal of the birth of Jesus.

2. That God’s Plan Is Bigger than Our Own
-One thing that I have learned personally over the span of the last 18 years is this God’s plan is Ginormous! I don’t always understand His ways or even feel comfortable with the situations or circumstances that I have been put in, here is what I find to be the truth of the matter.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

-God’s plan for your life is always bigger than your plan because He’s got a bigger perspective. When you see life from His perspective, you’ll see that He wants to do so much more. This may include having him step in and interrupt and invade your own plan.

-Mary and Joseph just wanted to get married and settle down and be a nice happy couple. God said, “I want to bless the whole world through you.”

-God wanted to invade Mary and Joseph’s present reality and flip their world upside down---and fulfill His plan through them.

-If you don’t get anything else I say, get this: God made you for a reason, He sees your potential, He knows your limit and He know what you can handle and you have no idea how much God wants to work through you, how much He could do through you if you were totally committed to His plan for your life rather than your little plan for your life – your dreams, your ambitions, your goal. If you say, “God, here I am totally available to You. Do with me whatever You want to do.”

-God wants to birth something great in you life.

-That’s what Mary and Joseph said -- you would not believe what God could accomplish through you. Because His plans are always bigger.

-God’s plan for your life is harder than your plan. That’s why so many people cut out on Him. Human beings and human nature, it’s our way to take the easy way out, to slide through life, to take the course of least resistance. God says, “I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. In fact, it’s going to be harder My way.” Why?

-Because God is more interested in your character than He is in your comfort. He wants you to grow up. He wants you to be mature. He wants you to be a person of character and integrity and to take responsibility. He is, in no way, going to take all the problems out of your life. It’s a harder way but it produces character. If you had all the problems removed out of your life, you’d be a spoiled brat. If you got your way at everything, you’d be worthless. Nobody could live with you. So God, says, Yes, it’s harder.

-Even in the midst of this Scandal, God used this as a character building time in Mary and Joseph’s life---I guarantee it not only change their lives, it changed who they were---after all Mary was giving birth to the Savior of the world. I can’t even begin to imagine the magnitude of this event --- but God had to conceive something and allow to grow before Mary gave birth to Jesus.

-When Mary and Joseph said, “Ok, God, we’re going to cooperate with Your plan. Use us.” Do you think that was easy?” No. It wasn’t easy for Mary to say, “Ok, I will be an unwed mother.”

-Can you imagine the gossip that went on in those days? And whose going to believe her story? “It’s God!” Would you believe that? Then at the end of Mary’s pregnancy, two or three days before she’s to deliver when most women just want to lay down, she had to get on a donkey and ride for several days from Nazareth to Bethlehem, being almost ready to deliver. I’m sure that was extremely uncomfortable for her. Then when she got there, she had to deliver her first child, without her mother or grandmother or all her relatives and the comforts of home around her, by herself, in another city, in a stable! I’m sure Mary must have asked a thousand times, “Why, God? If this really is You coming to earth in human form, if this really is the Son of God that I’m carrying, how come He’s not being born in a comfortable palace? I’m delivering Him in a stable without any help!” Of all the ways that God could have shown Himself to us, to human beings, why did He pick this way – to come as a baby? He could have just shown up in the sky one day! And then everybody knows who God is, maybe gets on all cable TV, every channel. But what He did was come as a baby and He’s born in a cave. That’s about as lowly as you can get.

-Why in the world did God do that? Because Jesus Christ came to earth to save us not to scare us. And nobody’s afraid of a baby. When Jesus Christ grew up we could say, “That’s what God’s like.” I can’t relate to some big force in the sky. But when I look at Jesus I can say, “That’s what it’s all about!”

-God’s plan is harder, it’s bigger. It’s also more rewarding. The Bible says “No one has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love Him.”

-When you cooperate with God’s plan and God’s purpose for your life, you have two benefits: significance and satisfaction–the two things that everybody tends to be looking for. Nothing can replace those. not status, not success. But it’s significance and satisfaction. Because, once you discover God’s plan for your life and you start fulfilling it then you go, “Oh! This is it! This is what I was destined for. I’ve found my niche, my purpose! This is what God wants to birth in my life! I’m not here just to take up space and breathe air, waste resources.” You find that significance and satisfaction.

Final thing we learn from the the Virgin Birth
3. That God is with us
- Trust is so hard especially for many who have trust broken over and over again. This is huge trust factor --- this is what faith is all about that God is truly with us.

-It is so easy for me to say this to you, it is so easy for me to tell myself --- but the fact of the matter is that God is with us.

- I wonder how it would transform our lives if we really believed that God through His Son Jesus was to be found within us and among us.

- Can you imagine the faith that it took for Joseph to do what he had to do? If your fiancé came to you one day and said, “Honey, I’m pregnant. And, by the way, it’s God’s fault.” Would you believe that story? The Bible tells us that Joseph didn’t and he was going to put her away privately. He was going to call off the engagement until God sent an angel to him and said, “She’s right! It’s ok.”

-Can you imagine the faith that Mary had to have when she realized that, of all the women in the entire world, God chose to use her as the instrument by which He would come into the world? He was going to be Immanuel - God with us!

-That took trust and a whole lot of faith----but it is easier knowing that God is with us!

-What if we believed that God is with us --- even in the midst of a scandal, in the tough times, in some of the most troubling situations, in circumstances that appear to be unplanned --- the truth is God is with us.

-The GOOD NEWS is found in this SCANDALOUS Birth, that Jesus is Immanuel - God With Us! That God put skin on and came to Earth by way of an insignificant girl named Mary - to give us HOPE! WOW!!!

-There is no one in history that has been given more names or titles than Jesus Christ. Throughout the pages of the Bible there are over 100 names and titles that are given to Jesus. And whether He is called "Bright morning star, Wonderful Counselor, the Alpha and the Omega, or the Lamb of God", each of these names and titles is rich with meaning. They all say something significant about who Jesus is.

-However, there is no name more significant than "Immanuel". This name, which Matthew refers to in his Gospel (Matthew 1:23), was first given to Jesus by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before His birth (Isaiah 7:14). And this very special Christmas name, as Matthew tells us, means "God with us." Jesus Christ is Immanuel, "God with us," and I'd like to share why this is so meaningful at Christmas time.

-But with the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, Immanuel, "God With Us," takes on a whole new meaning. For in the person of baby Jesus, God is "with us" not merely to bless us. Nor is He with us in the sense that He is going to merely work through Jesus to help us, protect us, and guide us. No-the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay is "God with us" because He is God.

-What sent the shepherds back to the fields rejoicing, what made the wise men fall down in wonder in the shadow of the baby Jesus, was the gripping realization that they were in the presence of their Creator made man.

-So great was His love for His fallen creation, for you and for me, that He left His glory to come here. And through His perfect life and death on the cross He broke down the wall of separation that our sin had built and reconciled us to Himself; as it is written "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them." (2 Co. 5:19). Through Jesus Christ, Immanuel, our sins are forgiven and we have fellowship with our Creator again.

-Immanuel. In this one name, everything humankind needs and the entire plan of God's salvation is subsumed. How blessed we are that Jesus Christ became Immanuel, God with us.

The sign does not become a full reality until some 730 years later. The virgin and child do not appear for 7 centuries. It is the Gospel writer Matthew who gets to announce the good news for scared and trembling people:

- God with us - That is God's promise to the church of all ages. And on Christmas Day that promise was fulfilled. That's the message of Christmas. That's also our hope for the future life.

-God with us - This means that God has not forgotten His people, that He has remembered His covenant and His covenant promises. In and through the Immanuel God intimately binds Himself to and with His people. In fact, in and through the Immanuel God forges an unbreakable link between Himself and His people so that nothing can ever separate us from His love.

-As we look at the Birth Jesus we see Mary and Joseph truly experiencing what it means that God is with us in the midst of the circumstances they find themselves in.

-Because God is with us we can always be strong and of good courage. We can be confident in His plan even when don’t understand it. We can rest secure in the thought that God is indeed with us, that Immanuel has been born.

-Ultimately, what it comes down to and what I want us to leave here this morning with is this: That we understand what it means to you and me that Immanuel has been born?

-In the context of Isaiah 9:7 - It means salvation. Ahaz and Judah were full of fear and trembling because of the attack of an enemy. The Immanuel is a sign of God's saving presence. The Immanuel is a sign that God will deliver His people. Remember what the angel said to Joseph, the husband of Mary? He said, "give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). The Savior is the Immanuel and the Immanuel is the Savior.

-The birth of the Immanuel means salvation from sin for everyone who believes (Rom 1:16), for everyone who chooses to follow Christ. And except the Good News of His Virgin Birth, His sinless life, His death on the Cross for our sins, His burial and His Resurrection…we can not have the Resurrection without the Scandal of the Virgin Birth.

WRAP IT UP (Conclusion)
Yes God conceived a child via the Holy Spirit that gave birth to God’s ultimate plan and messed up the plans of Mary and Joseph all of all those around them…I believe God wants to conceive something in your life and give birth to something amazing --- but it may take Him changing your plans and allowing Him full and total control --- allow Him to be Immanuel - God With You!

Let us pray!

Workout Music Playlist

Okay folks, next week, I will start my daily routine back at the gym. That is correct I am getting my big fat behind back to the gym, where I will be doing some Cardio and lifting a bunch of weight to get back into shape. It has been a while for me, but I felt convicted about letting myself go. About two and a half years ago I was in the best shape of my life, huge thanks for my friend, brother and workout partner Paul Craig who helped whip me into shape.

I truly believe the mind, body, and spirit all work together in harmony, when one thing goes, it all goes. So each morning, I will be waking up at 4:30am and getting into the gym for an hour to an hour and a half workout. In case you are wondering, there is a gym that is 3-5 minutes from my house - Gold's Gym here in Lorton and they have a deal, two years $1 joining fee and $35 a month. Awesome Deal---I know!

So with all that being said, I need some rocking, hard, motivating, driving, workout music! So here is going to be my workout music playlist especially doing cardio and lifting.

Any thoughts? Any rocking suggestions for me to add to this list?

Awake and Alive Skillet Awake (Deluxe Version)
I Will Not Bow Breaking Benjamin I Will Not Bow - Single
Overcome Creed Overcome - Single
Not Meant to Be Theory of a Deadman Scars & Souvenirs (Special Edition)
Heartless Kanye West 808s & Heartbreak (Bonus Video Version)
Addicted Saving Abel Saving Abel
This Life Hourcast State of Disgrace
Let Me Be Myself 3 Doors Down 3 Doors Down (Bonus Track Version)
Bullets Creed Weathered
What If Creed Human Clay
Second Chance Shinedown The Sound of Madness (Bonus Track Version)
Blind Korn Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
Beds Are Burning Midnight Oil 20000 Watt RSL - The Midnight Oil Collection (Remastered)
Wasteland Trapt Only Through the Pain
Face Down The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Face Down - Single
Prodigal Son Sevendust Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow (Bonus Track Version)
Lose Yourself Eminem Curtain Call
Rise Today Alter Bridge Rise Today - Single
Broken 12 Stones 12 Stones
Crash 12 Stones 12 Stones
The Last Song 12 Stones Potter's Field
Games You Play 12 Stones Anthem for the Underdog
Train 3 Doors Down 3 Doors Down (Bonus Track Version)
Live For Today 3 Doors Down Seventeen Days
Edge of a Broken Heart Vixen Vixen
World So Cold Three Days Grace Life Starts Now (Bonus Track Version)
Animal I Have Become Three Days Grace One-X (Deluxe Version)
Move Thousand Foot Krutch X: 17 Christian Rock Hits! 2006
Mudshovel Staind iTunes Originals - Staind
Rainy Day Parade Staind The Illusion of Progress (Deluxe Version)
Behind The Wall Of Sleep The Smithereens Live In Concert - Greatest Hits And More!
Drown In My Own Tears The Smithereens Live In Concert - Greatest Hits And More!
Let It Out Shaded Red Shaded Red
Last Regret Seventh Day Slumber Finally Awake (Special Edition)
Break Me Seventh Day Slumber Once Upon A Shattered Life
Remedy Seether Karma And Effect
Rock You Like a Hurricane Scorpions 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Scorpions
Walk This Way Run DMC & Aerosmith
It Takes Two Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock Profilin' the Hits
The Good Left Undone Rise Against The Sufferer & the Witness
Savior Rise Against Appeal to Reason
Audience of One Rise Against Appeal to Reason
Give It Away Red Hot Chili Peppers Red Hot Chili Peppers: Greatest Hits
Superman (Remastered) R.E.M. Superman (Remastered) - Single
Driver 8 R.E.M. Eponymous
Until the Day Is Done R.E.M. Accelerate
Psycho Puddle of Mudd Famous
Stranded Plumb Candy Coated Waterdrops
Bring Me Down Pillar Where Do We Go From Here
Even Flow Pearl Jam Ten
Alive Pearl Jam Ten
Scars Papa Roach Getting Away With Murder
...To Be Loved Papa Roach The Paramour Sessions
Forever Papa Roach The Paramour Sessions
Iron Man Ozzy Osbourne Prince of Darkness
Unite O.C. Supertones Unite
Return Of The Revolution O.C. Supertones Loud And Clear
Superfly O.C. Supertones Hi-Fi Revival
Come As You Are Nirvana Nevermind
If Today Was Your Last Day Nickelback Dark Horse
Animals Nickelback All The Right Reasons
Straight Outta Compton N.W.a The Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge
Freedom Nailpoint Payment Celebrating True Love: The Revolution Jesus Started
Uprising Muse The Resistance
The Game Motörhead Hammered
Beat It Micheal Jackson
What I've Done Linkin Park Minutes to Midnight
Crawling Linkin Park Hybrid Theory (Bonus Version)
One Step Closer Linkin Park Hybrid Theory (Bonus Version)
Better For You Kutless Sea Of Faces
Hearts Of The Innocence Kutless Hearts Of The Innocence
Winds Of Change Kutless Hearts Of The Innocence
Legacy Kutless Hearts Of The Innocence
Alone I Break Korn Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
Freak On a Leash Korn featuring Amy Lee Korn: MTV Unplugged (Live)
I Was Made For Loving You Kiss
Detroit Rock City KISS
Reject Yourself Killswitch Engage As Daylight Dies (Special Edition)
All Summer Long Kid Rock Rock N Roll Jesus
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) The Jimi Hendrix Experience Experience Hendrix - The Best of Jimi Hendrix
Welcome to the Jungle Guns N' Roses Appetite for Destruction
Sweet Child O' Mine Guns N' Roses Appetite for Destruction
The River (Featuring M. Shadows & Synyster Gates) Good Charlotte featuring M. Shadows & Synyster Gates Good Morning Revival
Hemorrhage (In My Hands) Fuel Something Like Human
Scar Fuel Something Like Human
Innocent Fuel Something Like Human
Gone Fuel Angels & Devils
Chasm Flyleaf Memento Mori (Expanded Version)
Two Sisters Fiction Plane Left Side of the Brain
Bring Me To Life Evanescence Fallen
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) Eurythimics Ultimate Collection
Down With the Sickness Disturbed The Sickness
Money for Nothing Dire Straits Private Investigations - The Best Of
Dive dcTalk Supernatural
Supernatural dcTalk Supernatural
It's Not Over Daughtry Daughtry (Bonus Track)
Bread of Shame Creed Full Circle
A Thousand Faces Creed Full Circle
On My Sleeve Creed Full Circle
Good Fight Creed Full Circle
Zombie The Cranberries No Need to Argue
Jars Chevelle Jars
I Get It Chevelle Vena Sera
Rescue Me Buckcherry Black Butterfly (Deluxe Version)
Pass the Mic Beastie Boys Solid Gold Hits
Intergalactic Beastie Boys Solid Gold Hits
So What'cha Want Beastie Boys Solid Gold Hits
Paperthin Hymn Anberlin Never Take Friendship Personal
Rise Today Alter Bridge Blackbird
Metalingus Alter Bridge One Day Remains
Torn Advocate Advocate
One More Chance Advocate Advocate
Turn Your Life Around Advocate Advocate
White Knuckles Alter Bridge Blackbird
Broken Again Another Animal Another Animal
Afterlife Avenged Sevenfold Avenged Sevenfold
Boom Boom Pow Black Eyed Peas
Insane in the Brain Cypress Hill Black Sunday
Jump Around Cypress Hill
Alone Heart Heart: Greatest hits
Flood Jars Of Clay Jars Of Clay
Don't Stop Believin' Journey Journey: Greatest Hits
Any Way You Want It Journey
Stand R.E.M. In Time: The Best Of R.E.M. 1988-2003
Orange Crush R.E.M. Green
All I Have Mat Kearney City Of Black & White
Clocks Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head
Speed Of Sound Coldplay X & Y
Finest Worksong (Mutual Drum Horn Mix) R.E.M. Eponymous
Contagious Trapt Only Through the Pain
Cover Up Trapt Only Through the Pain

Christmas Mix Playlist

Yes, indeed, my first blog post in over a month is my Christmas Mix Playlist --- Oh well --- I will be better. Life has been busy. My deep apologies.

Anyways, here is my playlist songs/artist/album...some duplicate songs but by different artist with different genre of music...I like variety. (I know some will judge some artists I have on here, but before you do...I just like the sound of the CHRISTMAS song.) Still waiting for KORN's Christmas Album --- Not Kidding! :-)

What Child Is This? Future of Forestry Advent Christmas - EP
Mele Kalikimaka Jimmy Buffett Christmas Island
O Holy Night Future of Forestry Advent Christmas - EP
The First Noel Future of Forestry Advent Christmas - EP
O Come, O Come Emmanuel Future of Forestry Advent Christmas - EP
Little Drummer Boy Future of Forestry Advent Christmas - EP
Feliz Navidad José Feliciano Feliz Navidad
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Ray Charles
Christmas Time Is Here Sarah McLachlan & Sarah McLachlan featuring Diana Krall Wintersong
Carol of the Bells The Bird And The Bee Carol Of The Bells - Single of the Week
Jingle Bells James Taylor
Silent Night Mariah Carey Merry Christmas
All I Want for Christmas Is You Mariah Carey Merry Christmas
O Holy Night Mariah Carey Merry Christmas
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) Mariah Carey Merry Christmas
Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) Mariah Carey Merry Christmas
Joy to the World Mariah Carey Merry Christmas
Jesus Born On This Day Mariah Carey Merry Christmas
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town Mariah Carey Merry Christmas
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing / Gloria (In Excelsis Deo) Mariah Carey Merry Christmas
Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child Mariah Carey Merry Christmas
Wintersong Sarah McLachlan Wintersong
Hey Guys! It’s Christmas Time! Sufjan Stevens Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas
Silent Night Sarah Brightman Silent Night - Single of the Week
Angels We Have Heard On High Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
Joy To The World (Natalie Grant) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Rebecca St. James) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Steven Curtis Chapman) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
O Come All Ye Faithful (tobyMAC) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Carol Of The Bells/What Child Is This? Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
O, Come All Ye Faithful Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Angels We Have Heard On High Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground) Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
My Soul Magnifies the Lord Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy) Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Glory In the Highest Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
O, Holy Night Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (feat. Christy Nockels) Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Light of the World (feat. Matt Redman) Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Winter Snow (feat. Audrey Assad) Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Born That We May Have Life Chris Tomlin Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Christmas In Hollas Run-DMC
Run Rudolph Run Jimmy Buffett Christmas Island
Christmas Island Jimmy Buffett Christmas Island
Jingle Bell Rock Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
Deliver Us (Derek Webb) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays Perry Como Perry Como: Greatest Christmas Songs
Last Christmas Wham! All-Star Christmas
The Night Before Christmas Toby Keith Christmas to Christmas
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) U2
Someday at Christmas Jackson 5 20th Century Masters - The Christmas Collection: Jackson 5
This Christmas Elliot Yamin
What Christmas Means to Me Stevie Wonder A Motown Christmas
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Temptations A Motown Christmas
Winter Wonderland Areatha Franklin
The Chanukah Song Adam Sandler
Blue Christmas Elvis Presley
Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer Dr. Elmo
Joy To The World Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
What Child Is This? (Caedmon's Call) Various Artists Essential Energy Christmas
Santa Claus Is Back In Town Johnny Lang
The Chipmunks Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) Alvin & The Chipmunks
Come On! Let’s Boogey to the Elf Dance! Sufjan Stevens Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas
White Christmas Bette Midler
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Mannheim Steamroller It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - Discovery Download
A Christmas To Remember Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
Christmas Can't Be Very Far Away Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
Silent Night Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
Christmas Lullaby (I Will Lead You Home) Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
Highland Cathedral Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
Jingle Bell Rock Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
Mister Santa Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
'Til The Season Comes 'Round Again Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
Gabriel's Oboe Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
Welcome To Our World Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
Who You Are (Smalltown Poets) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Agnus Dei Amy Grant A Christmas To Remember
When Love Came Down Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
Let It Snow, Let It SnowSleigh Ride Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
O Holy Night Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
How Great Our Joy Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
Emmanuel, God With Us/O Come, O Come Emmanuel Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
Light Of The World Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
Jingle Bell Rock Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
Coventry Carol Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
One King Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
Not That Far From Bethlehem Point Of Grace A Christmas Story
Christ Is Come (Big Daddy Weave) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Live With Us (Warren Barfield Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
O Holy Night (BarlowGirl) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
What I Want For Christmas (Big Tent Revival) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Out Of Eden) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
The First Noel (Jill Phillips) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Angels We Have Heard On High (Erin O'Donnell) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Christmas In My Heart (By The Tree) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Exit East) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (Andrew Peterson) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Angels Sing (Inhabited) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
All Because Of You (Kate Hurley) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
What Child Is This? (Tree63/BarlowGirl) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Sing Mary Sing (Jennifer Knapp) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Bethlehem Dawn (Todd Agnew) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Heaven's Got A Baby (OC Supertones) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
O Come All Ye Faithful (Kim Hill) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Go Tell It On The Mountain (Michael English) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Little Did They Know (Palisade) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Joy To The World (Jim Brickman) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
I Saw Three Ships (Rivertribe) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Silent Night (Kate Miner) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Your King Has Come (Matthew Smith) Various Artists Absolute Favorite Christmas
Sanctus (Ana Laura) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord (Bebo Norman w/ Danielle Young and Friends) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
Here With Us (Joy Williams) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
Hail Almighty King (Cliff Young w/ Andrew Osenga) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
Messiah Has Come (Cindy Morgan) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
King Of Angels (Krystal Meyers w/ Josh Brown) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
O Come All Ye Faithful (Josh Brown) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
Silver Starlight (Cliff and Danielle Young) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Jars Of Clay) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
Manger Throne (Third Day) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
Mary's Prayer (Bebo Norman w/Christine Byrd) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord (Reprise) Various Artists Come Let Us Adore Him
O Come O Come Emmanuel (Third Day) Various Artists Essential Energy Christmas
The First Noel (FFH) Various Artists Essential Energy Christmas
Little Drummer Boy (Jars Of Clay) Various Artists Essential Energy Christmas
O Come All Ye Faithful (V*Enna) Various Artists Essential Energy Christmas
One SIlent Night...God So Loved (Jaci Velasquez with Burlap To Cashmere and Winans Phase 2) Various Artists For God So Loved (The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son)
The First Noel (Bryan Duncan) Various Artists For God So Loved (The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Phil Keaggy & Kim Hill) Various Artists For God So Loved (The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son)
Medley: Joy To The World/O Come All Ye Faithful/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/O Little Town Of Bethlehem (First Call & Wayne Watson) Various Artists For God So Loved (The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son)
Sing For Joy (Anointed) Various Artists For God So Loved (The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son)
O Holy Night (Wayne Watson) Various Artists For God So Loved (The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son)
Carol Of The Bells (Sandi Patty) Various Artists For God So Loved (The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son)
The Gift (Point Of Grace) Various Artists For God So Loved (The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son)
Silent Night Various Artists For God So Loved (The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son)
Joy To The World (Chris Rodriguez) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
I Need Christmas (Erin O'Donnell) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
Look To You (Joel Hanson) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
Silent Night (Shaded Red) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Viva Voce) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
Deck The Halls (Erin O'DOnnell) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
What Christmas Really Means (Joel Hanson) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
Lullay (Erin O'Donnell) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas (Viva Voce) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
Angels (Shaded Red) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
What Child Is This (Viva Voce) Various Artists Love Peace & Joy
A Christmas To Remember (Amy Grant) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
What Child Is This? (ZOEgirl) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
The Christmas Shoes (Newsong) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
I'll Be Home For Christmas (Jaci Velasquez) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Angels We Have Heard On High (Chris Tomlin) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Little Drummer Boy (Jars Of Clay) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Away In A Manger (Casting Crowns) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Third Day) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
O Holy Night (Barlowgirl) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Don't Save It For Christmas Day (Avalon) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
We Wish You A Merry Christmas (Cece Winans) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Joy Williams) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Bethany Dillon) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Welcome To Our World (Micheal W. Smith) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (Matthew West) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Mary Did You Know? (Clay Aiken) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
O Come All Ye Faithful (Stacie Orrico) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
What Child Is This? (MercyMe) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Jars Of Clay) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Jingle Bell Rock (Point Of Grace) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
We Three Kings (Building 429) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Joy To The World Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Kutless) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Deck The Halls (Relient K) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Do You Hear What I Hear? Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
Go Tell It On The Mountain (Big Daddy Weave) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Silent Night (Selah) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Feliz Navidad (David Crowder Band) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
The First Noel (Mark Schultz) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Do You Hear What I Hear? (FFH) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Sleigh Ride (Jump 5) Various Artists WOW Christmas Green
Winter Wonderland (Avalon) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Emmanuel (Michael W. Smith) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
O Holy Night (Point Of Grace) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Christmas Is All In The Heart (Steven Curtis Chapman) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Yolanda Adams) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (Jaci Velasquez) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Away In A Manger (Cece Winans) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Hallelujah (Soulful Celebration) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
A Strange Way To Save The World (4 Him) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Breath Of Heaven (Mary's Song) (Amy Grant) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
O Come. O Come, Emmanuel (Nicole C. Mullen) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Silent Night (Mark Schultz & Nicole Nordeman) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
The Night That Christ Was Born (Kirk Franklin) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Mary, Did You Know? (Kathy Mattea) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Hark! The Herald Angel Sing (Donnie McClurkin) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Ave Marie (Rachel Lampa) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Do You Hear What I Hear? (Third Day) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Sing Mary Sing (Jennifer Knapp) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Angels We Have Heard On High (ZOEgirl) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
O Holy Night Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
This Christmas (Joy To The World) (tobyMAC) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Christmastime Is Here (Sixpence None The Richer) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Caedmon's Call) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
A Prayer For Every Year (Plus One) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Sweet Little Jesus Boy (Rebecca St. James) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
The First Noel (FFH) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Out Of Eden) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Go Tell It On The Mountain (Fred Hammond) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
Little Drummer Boy (Audio Adrenaline) Various Artists WOW Christmas Red
O Tannenbaum Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
What Child Is This Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
My Little Drum Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
Linus And Lucy Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental) Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal) Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
Skating Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
Hark, The Herald Angels Sing Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
Christmas Is Coming Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
Fur Elise Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
The Christmas Song Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
Greensleeves Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas
Angels We Have Heard On High Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
We Three Kings Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
O Come All Ye Faithful Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
O Come, O Come Emmanuel Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
Silent Night Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
Away In A Manger Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
What Child Is This? Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
The First Noel Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
O Little Town Of Bethlehem Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Vineyard Music Christmas In The Vineyard