an album suggestion

Thanksgiving is over, which means the Christmas season is upon us. 

[Soapbox moment] I do nothing Christmas oriented until after Thanksgiving. I do not listen to Christmas music, decorate, or shop. I refuse to rob Thanksgiving of its significance. I hate Black Friday, and whatever they are calling the horrific Thursday night shopping excursion. Thanksgiving deserves the full day for time of thankfulness and time with loved ones. [End soapbox moment]

I do thoroughly enjoy Christmas music. When the Christmas season begins, I finally get to play my "Christmas" playlist or tune to my "Holiday" stations on Pandora. I love the hymns. I love the carols. I love the festive songs. I love the sappy, sentimental ballads. I love humorous jingles.

What is my favorite Christmas album? I do enjoy my Home Alone soundtrack. I am proud to admit I listen to the Christmas albums of both 98 Degrees and 'N Sync. And who can say no to some Trans Siberian Orchestra? While wonderful, none of those quite make it to the top.

That honor is claimed by the underrated (and probably unheard) Behold the Lamb of God by Andrew Peterson.

 (I must give props to my older sister for introducing me to this album seeing as she is probably one of its biggest fans)

Why this album? It captures the beauty of the message of Christmas, the Incarnation of God Himself, by tracing it's promise through the witness of Scripture. And Peterson does not start with the prophets. No, he goes all the way back to the Israelites enslaved in Egypt and proceeds from there.

Here's the song list:

1. Gather 'Round Ye Children, Come (an invitation to hear the grand story)

2. Passover Us (points to the Passover as the picture pointing to the death of Christ and salvation)

3. So Long, Moses (tracing the longing of the Lord's Anointed from Moses to David to the Prophets)

4. Deliver Us (the cry of Israel to send the Redeemer to carry them out of exile)

5. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (a nice instrumental break with a great Christmas hymn)

6. Matthew Begats (anyone who can successfully put the genealogy of Jesus into song is worth my ear)

7. It Came to Pass (how the birth of Christ fulfilled promise and prophesies)

8. Labor of Love (interpretation of Mary and Joseph's experience on the night of Christ's birth)

9. The Holly and the Ivy (one more pleasant instrumental)

10. While Shepherds Their Flocks (the response of the Shepherds to the angels announcement

11. Behold the Lamb of God (detailing Christ's role as the Lamb of God come to take away sin)

12. The Theme of My Song/Reprise (wrapping it all up with a blending of many of the earlier songs)

If I can encourage you, either get your hands on this album or give it a listen at some point this Christmas season. You will not regret it.