When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, Magians from the east came to Jerusalem, saying: Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:1-2 One of the central truths of the Gospel that seems to be buried beneath other proclamations is the fact that in and through Jesus, the God of Israel did what He had promised to do—He became King. However, His kingship would not come about in the usual way through military or political conquest. He would only be able to claim His crown once He had suffered an agonizing death. The crown of glory would not come without the crown of suffering. Glory and suffering are inseparably woven together. Our prayer is that this Christmas season, you will see beyond the baby of Bethlehem and behold the radical revolutionary about whom Isaiah wrote, “It is too little that you should be My servant in that I raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the survivors of Israel: I will also make you a light of nations, that My salvation may reach the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 WHAT CAN I GIVE HIM Music by Gustav Holst / Lyrics by Christina Rosetti; Additional Lyrics by A. Hadar Arrangement by A. Hadar / Copyright © 2007 Hadar Publications Long ago in Bethlehem, God came down to earth; Born a helpless baby, through the virgin birth, Angels proclaimed Him, God Emmanuel-- Jesus the Messiah, King of Israel. Prophets had foretold it, though few would understand, God would save His people with His mighty hand. Glory to God on high, He was born that night-- Jesus the Messiah, He’s God’s own glorious light. What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part, But what can I give Him, give Him my heart. LET THERE BE PEACE (Dona Nobis Pacem / The First Nowell) Music by Johan Pachelbel / Traditional Latin and English Carols Additional Lyrics and Arrangement by A. Hadar / Copyright © 2006 Hadar Publications COME, THOU LONG-EXPECTED JESUS Music by R.H. Prichard / Lyrics by Charles Wesley Arrangement by A. Hadar / Copyright © 2006 Hadar Publications NOËL NOUVELET Traditional French Carol Arrangement by A. Hadar / Copyright © 2010 Hadar Publications O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM Music by A. Hadar / Lyrics by Phillips Brooks; Additional Lyrics by A. Hadar Arrangement by A. Hadar / Copyright © 2003 Hadar Publications O COME, O COME EMMANUEL Traditional Latin, Translation by John Mason Neale and Henry Sloane Coffin COMFORT Music and Lyrics by A. Hadar / Copyright © 2006 Hadar Publications You promised He would come, You said He’d set us free, He would be a shining light for all the world to see. What You did not say, what was hidden from our sight, Was the slaughter of our children that cruel, bitter night. Adonai Elohim, how can this thing be? I believed in You and I trusted You, now I just can’t see. My heart is crushed, my faith is shaken, And Rachel is weeping, she is weeping for her children, And she will not be comforted. A child has been born, your faith to renew, He is the Messiah, God gives His Son to you. He will bear your pain, He will carry your grief. You will find true life in Him and know such sweet relief. Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears. Your sorrow will be lifted and laughter will fill your ears. I know it seems impossible, but there is hope for you, A time when you will know Him and your heart will be made new, And He will dry all your tears. SILENT NIGHT Music by Franz Gruber / Lyrics by Josef Mohr Arrangement by A. Hadar / Copyright © 2004 Hadar Publications JOY TO THE WORLD Music by Georg Frideric Handel / Lyrics by Isaac Watts Arramgement by A. Hadar / Copyright © 2003 Hadar Publications NOTE: Although this song is sung at Christmas, the lyrics do not speak of Jesus’ birth but of His return. I felt it fitting to end the CD with a proclamation of the joy which will be ours when Jesus finally and fully claims His rightful throne! Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. Rebekah McGhee: Vocals, handbells, Reason programming, mixing Gannon McGhee: Acoustic guitar, engineering, mixing, mastering Caleb Preston: Cajon, darbouka, doumbek, djembe