Comfort & Joy: Christmas Conversations Tim Groves

We've made it to the end of our Christmas Journey for this season of Comfort and Joy! And what better song to end with than "Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come"?
But what if I told you this carol really had NOTHING to do with Christmas?
What if I told you, it's melody was STOLEN from a great composer? 

Let's take a deep dive into one of the most famous Christmas Carols of all time! 

Don't forget to check out meadowsbaptist.org for our live stream services every Sunday at 9am and 11am

Notes, preparation and quotes from:

Peterson, William J. and Randy Petersen. The One Year Book of Hymns. Edited and Compiled by Robert K. Brown and Mark R. Norton. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1995.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1496428269/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_j0HQFbNWAJKFZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Phillips, Kenneth H. Directing the Choral Music Program. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, Inc., 2004.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019NEOGLW/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_YZHQFb5MK5AD2

Reynolds, William Jensen Reynolds.  Hymns of Our Faith: A Handbook for the Baptist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1964.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JJM2DK/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_sZHQFbC38MFEZ

www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-joy-to-the-world

Sources to reference:

Moody, Valerie. The Feats of Adonai: Why Christians Should Look at Biblical Feasts. Gibbora Productions, 2009.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0982433573/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_HYHQFb2XK9FA8

Joy to the World by Nat King Cole

https://open.spotify.com/track/1VuAamHM7P3VQQEXYGG3Uu?si=2xad4DCSRmOL80alCjGRew

Messiah, HWV 56 : Part II: Lift up your heads, O ye gates (Chorus)

https://open.spotify.com/track/6YhkhEJsUszpUdKfde2mqc?si=3lx00OS-T9KIAWmqmRjqog

Messiah, HWV 56 : Part I: Accompanied: Comfort ye, my people (Tenor)

https://open.spotify.com/track/5ad8xYHMymySV6bDLEGiS9?si=JFobKTlPQuafI-9DWHG6Hg

Joy to the World (arr. J. Rutter) - Lowell Mason, The Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia, John Rutter

https://open.spotify.com/track/0tKQ3h7CemmhpoLFVrv9Px?si=NINd-KjZTbisjqJDfQvFZQ

Joy to the World (arr. J. Wachner for choir and orchestra ) - Lowell Mason, Julian Wachner, Choir of Trinity Wall Street

https://open.spotify.com/track/0sWlU6yuGJr0RpPbLeJxW7?si=EV4axIXMQWCwQnhwXaB8-g

Joy to the World - Steve Morse

https://music.apple.com/us/album/merry-axemas-a-guitar-christmas/197986461

Joy to the World - Whitney Houston with the Georgia Mass Choir

https://open.spotify.com/track/0sKAxwRubZuqKadRspVY96?si=dQGK7SpfQ0W_3_pZBpOMHQ

How do a non-church-going-wine-salesman-poet, a Jewish composer and a civil-war abolitionist tie together to create one of the most beloved Christmas Carols sung around the world every Christmas Eve? 

Join me today with my guest, Justin James (justinjames.org) as we discuss how God can take anything and use it to draw people to His story of hope! 

Can anyone or anything be used by God? If so, the implications are PROFOUND! 

Join us for today's episode of Comfort and Joy! 

Episode Notes:

Be sure to check out Meadows Church for our weekly streaming services Sundays at 9am and 11am Meadowsbaptist.org

Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins

The Justin James Show

O Holy Night by John Williams

O Holy Night by Andrea Bocelli 

O Holy Night by Harry Connick Jr. 

Support Dennis Lambert, Composer of the theme for Comfort and Joy:

What do you do when the Christmas season actually zaps your joy? How can you navigate a time of year that feels pressured, compressed and overcommitted?
In today's episode, we really explore that struggle with a guest who, at first glance, doesn't seem like much of a Christmas fan, but upon deeper conversation, actually understands the real meaning of Christmas better than most - Jessica Jones (and no, not the Marvel Superhero...) 

Have you ever found yourself so burned out you needed to get away for a while? So did the author of today's Christmas carol. And he found replenishment in the most unlikely of places. In fact, there were those around him who told him not to go - because it was too dangerous! Join us today with special guest Dr. Scott Fenton as we explore the history and geography of another favorite Christmas carol.

Show Notes:
Please join us for Sunday worship online at 9am and 11am  https://www.meadowsbaptist.org
To see more of Dig It with Dr. Scott: click here!
Sources: 
Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotional by Kenneth W. Osbeck
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0825438993/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_zGfMFbKXFTH8V
The Story of Our Hymns: The Handbook to the Hymnal of the Anglican and Reformed Church by Armin Haeussler
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007DPJ4M/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_mHfMFbQBP20BA
Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the Worlds Greatest Hymn Stories by Robert J. Morgan
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0785249397/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_nJfMFbVY5KGV8
Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310239265/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4JfMFbQWBPHQV
The Gospel in Hymns by Albert E. Bailey
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9110007121/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_LKfMFbXXNSVM8
O Little Town of Bethlehem by Burl Ives
https://open.spotify.com/track/02Q0dNnWv0RPWdrYIlbTNg?si=3GackXs4QraZxIAUDt3yTA
O Little Town of Bethlehem by Elvis Presley 
https://open.spotify.com/track/6Ai7PiAjnb4eIiC05By0i4?si=PGH9CjONT-SVNIyHwFawsA
Little Town by Amy Grant
https://open.spotify.com/track/4Q2gA7EtyFfCVGilwxLspc?si=tQm8m927Tcud_GafXxZM-g

Do you find yourself questioning the logic of the traditional Christmas Story?
A king was born in a manger?
Or Angels delivering a message to stinky, outcasts called Shepherds?
Astrologers following a star to find an infant with gifts to bring? 
So did the author of our song today. 
Join me as I welcome our guest Megan McKenzie a Dallas area pianist, vocalist, and worship leader as we unpack those questions and much more! 
Show notes: 
Please check out our live streaming services Sundays at 9am and 11am at meadowsbaptist.org
What Child Is this by The Cathedral Singers
https://www.amazon.com/What-Child-Is-This/dp/B01LW75LSC/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=What+Child+is+This+The+Cathedral+Singers&qid=1602607622&sr=8-1#
What Child Is this by Vince Guaraldi
https://www.amazon.com/What-Child-Is-This/dp/B009GQ2O44/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=What+Child+Is+This+Vince&qid=1602615258&sr=8-1
What Child Is This by Kristin Chenoweth
https://www.amazon.com/What-Child-Is-This/dp/B001HDYFMS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=What+Child+Is+This+Chenoweth&qid=1602615376&s=dmusic&sr=1-1
Carol of the Bells/What Child Is This by Point of Grace
https://music.apple.com/us/album/carol-of-the-bells-what-child-is-this-lp-version/1163641666?i=1163641686
What Child Is This by Seabird
https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-child-is-this/716280225?i=716280708
Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotional by Kenneth W. Osbeck
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0825438993/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_zGfMFbKXFTH8V
The Story of Our Hymns: The Handbook to the Hymnal of the Anglican and Reformed Church by Armin Haeussler
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007DPJ4M/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_mHfMFbQBP20BA
Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the Worlds Greatest Hymn Stories by Robert J. Morgan
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0785249397/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_nJfMFbVY5KGV8
Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310239265/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4JfMFbQWBPHQV
The Gospel in Hymns by Albert E. Bailey
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9110007121/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_LKfMFbXXNSVM8
Support Dennis Lambert, Composer of the theme for Comfort and Joy:
https://www.patreon.com/dennislambertpianist/posts

2020 has been some kind of year...

Elections...

Pandemics...

Racial Tension..

Division and unrest...

Where is God in all of this?

Where is "Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men"?

We're going to grapple with that question today with our guest, Trey Groves, a local worship leader, and pastor.

If you want to know more about this hope, email at tim@meadowsbaptist.org

Show Notes for Today's Show:

https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/heard-the-bells-christmas-day-hope-surfaces-despair/

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/the-story-of-pain-and-hope-behind-i-heard-the-bells-on-christmas-day/

https://www.staugustine.com/living-religion/2016-12-16/story-behind-song-i-heard-bells-christmas-day

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/finding-praise-through-pain-in-i-heard-the-bells-on-christmas-day.html

http://www.hopeinthehealing.com/2016/12/05/the-sad-story-behind-i-heard-the-bells-on-christmas-day/


Scriptures Referenced:


Luke 2:8-14 (NKJV)

All Others ESV

Romans 1:16

Matthew 28:18-20

Mark 16:15

1 Cor 1:18

Matthew 11:28-30

Isaiah 40:8

Matthew 24:4-13

1 Cor 15:55-57




I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Bing Crosby https://open.spotify.com/track/2fa3AnV5pAkfwHLJT4B7kT?si=EUvIkSF9TayKjRukGqTW5w

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Mercy Me

https://open.spotify.com/track/2bOlwax8hs6ga8SPm3Vke5?si=WEAruQVoSz2AkPrXc5iWrw

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns

https://open.spotify.com/track/6ZvGIWs3Vt4cmVkuycJaFM?si=O7zsY0rgSpSjAomQ5ZuXDQ

Support Dennis Lambert, Composer of the theme for Comfort and Joy:

https://www.patreon.com/dennislambertpianist/posts