When they saw the star,
00:00:01.33\00:00:02.66
they rejoiced with
exceedingly great joy.
00:00:02.70\00:00:05.73
We invite you to
celebrate this special season
00:00:05.77\00:00:08.60
by worshipping
our Savior and King.
00:00:08.64\00:00:11.81
Join us now for an evening
with the Lanny Wolfe Trio.
00:00:11.84\00:00:16.18
Over mountains and
valleys It led them each night
00:00:27.92\00:00:32.89
A star of most radiant light
00:00:32.93\00:00:37.77
The wise Men rejoiced
as they journeyed afar
00:00:37.80\00:00:42.27
To behold such a beautiful star
00:00:42.30\00:00:47.31
And when they saw the star
they rejoiced with great joy
00:00:47.34\00:00:52.58
When they saw the
star they rejoiced
00:00:52.61\00:00:57.42
When they saw the star
they rejoiced with great joy
00:00:57.45\00:01:01.76
They rejoiced with
exceeding great joy
00:01:01.79\00:01:05.33
Great joy
00:01:05.36\00:01:06.70
They rejoiced with
exceeding great joy
00:01:06.73\00:01:12.00
Other saw the star
but they followed it not
00:01:12.03\00:01:16.50
To them it would
come and would pass
00:01:16.54\00:01:21.44
The wise Men kept trusting
with all of their hearts
00:01:21.48\00:01:25.91
That the star would
find the Baby at last
00:01:25.95\00:01:30.99
And when they saw the star
they rejoiced with great joy
00:01:31.02\00:01:36.32
When they saw the
star they rejoiced
00:01:36.36\00:01:41.06
When they saw the star
they rejoiced with great joy
00:01:41.10\00:01:45.37
They rejoiced with
exceeding great joy
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Great joy
00:01:49.00\00:01:50.34
They rejoiced with
exceeding great joy
00:01:50.37\00:01:55.68
When they saw the star
they rejoiced with great joy
00:01:55.71\00:02:00.55
When they saw the
star they rejoiced
00:02:00.62\00:02:05.35
When they saw the star
they rejoiced with great joy
00:02:05.39\00:02:09.62
They rejoiced with
exceeding great joy
00:02:09.66\00:02:13.26
Great joy
00:02:13.29\00:02:14.60
They rejoiced with
exceeding great joy
00:02:14.63\00:02:20.00
When they saw the star
they rejoiced with great joy
00:02:20.04\00:02:24.71
When they saw the
star they rejoiced
00:02:24.74\00:02:29.68
When they saw the star
they rejoiced with great joy
00:02:29.71\00:02:33.92
They rejoiced with
exceeding great joy
00:02:33.98\00:02:37.55
Great joy
00:02:37.59\00:02:38.92
They rejoiced with
exceeding great joy
00:02:38.95\00:02:42.32
Great joy
00:02:42.36\00:02:43.69
They rejoiced with exceeding
00:02:43.73\00:02:48.50
Great joy
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Great, great joy
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Great, great joy,
that's what the wise men had
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when they saw the star
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because the star led them
to the Child in the manger.
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We rejoice today
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because the Child
in the manger grew,
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became a man, went
to the cross of Calvary,
00:03:09.72\00:03:12.75
gave His life
for our redemption.
00:03:12.79\00:03:14.52
Has promised us eternal life
00:03:14.56\00:03:16.66
and gave to us life
more abundantly right now.
00:03:16.73\00:03:18.36
That's right.
00:03:18.39\00:03:19.73
Friend, that is
cause for great, great joy.
00:03:19.76\00:03:22.90
And we had a dilemma
in choosing our songs
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for this one hour special.
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This is Lanny
Wolfe, Marietta, Dave
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on behalf of the
Lanny Wolfe Trio.
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We're blessed to
come into your homes
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and to share with you
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some of our favorite
Lanny Wolfe Christmas songs.
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The dilemma I was talking about
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was choosing from over 60
Lanny Wolfe's Christmas songs
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to get just a handful.
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So we twiddled and we twiddled
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and we finally came up
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with our short
list of favorites.
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Hopefully some of our favorites
will be your favorites also.
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Hands down, Jesus
the light of the world
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was an easy pick
from my short list.
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Jesus, the light of the world.
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Just one little
flame in the darkness
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Just one
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Little flicker of light
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Just one
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Small glimmer of brightness
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Dispelling
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The darkness of night
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But, oh
00:04:47.72\00:04:49.85
What God did to the darkness
00:04:49.88\00:04:57.73
With one
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Little flicker of light
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Oh
00:05:07.37\00:05:08.74
What God did with His brightness
00:05:08.77\00:05:15.38
When it touched
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Just one other light
00:05:17.28\00:05:24.09
Then two lights reached out
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With new brightness
00:05:28.16\00:05:32.83
And soon there were four
00:05:32.86\00:05:37.03
And then more
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So quickly
00:05:42.07\00:05:44.21
His light conquered darkness
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As new lights
flared up by the score
00:05:50.45\00:05:58.12
No longer
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Just one light in the darkness
00:06:01.29\00:06:07.36
No longer just one tiny flame
00:06:07.40\00:06:15.17
Now the world's aglow
00:06:15.20\00:06:19.34
With His brightness
00:06:19.37\00:06:23.55
Since the Light of the world
00:06:23.58\00:06:30.79
Jesus
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Came
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Jesus, Jesus
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Jesus
00:06:46.94\00:06:48.70
The Light of the world
00:06:48.74\00:06:55.34
Jesus, Jesus
00:06:55.38\00:07:03.42
Jesus
00:07:03.45\00:07:05.39
The Light of the world
00:07:05.42\00:07:11.99
Worship Him
00:07:12.03\00:07:15.13
Worship Him, Worship Him
00:07:15.16\00:07:19.87
He's Jesus, the
Light of the world
00:07:19.90\00:07:27.64
Worship Him
00:07:27.68\00:07:31.45
Worship Him, Worship Him
00:07:31.48\00:07:35.72
Oh, Jesus
00:07:35.75\00:07:38.55
The Light of the world
00:07:38.59\00:07:45.36
Praise Him
00:07:45.39\00:07:48.93
Praise Him
00:07:48.96\00:07:52.73
Praise Jesus
00:07:52.77\00:07:55.30
The Light of the world
00:07:55.34\00:08:02.08
Praise Him
00:08:02.11\00:08:06.11
Praise Him
00:08:06.15\00:08:10.42
Jesus
00:08:10.45\00:08:11.79
The Light of the world
00:08:11.82\00:08:18.66
Jesus
00:08:18.69\00:08:20.33
The Light of the world
00:08:20.36\00:08:27.94
Jesus
00:08:27.97\00:08:30.01
The Light
00:08:30.04\00:08:34.28
Of the world
00:08:34.31\00:08:38.95
The world
00:08:38.98\00:08:45.29
I never know when or
how God is going to give me
00:08:55.50\00:08:58.50
an inspiration for a song.
00:08:58.53\00:09:00.87
But I'm always keenly aware
00:09:00.90\00:09:03.57
when I'm listening to a
sermon or reading a book
00:09:03.64\00:09:06.27
or me even
looking at a billboard.
00:09:06.31\00:09:08.58
Sometimes God just
drops something into my heart.
00:09:08.61\00:09:12.08
And so I was flying
30,000 miles over Cincinnati,
00:09:12.11\00:09:15.78
God gave me this song.
00:09:15.82\00:09:21.36
An angel from long ago
00:09:21.39\00:09:24.96
Bent down to earth below
00:09:24.99\00:09:28.63
To Mary whispered low
00:09:28.66\00:09:32.03
Call His name Jesus
00:09:32.07\00:09:38.14
Fear not the words I say
00:09:38.17\00:09:41.94
God has favored you today
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You shall bring forth a Son
00:09:46.38\00:09:49.95
And call His name
00:09:49.98\00:09:52.32
Jesus
00:09:52.35\00:09:57.23
Cherish that beautiful name
00:09:57.26\00:10:04.03
Cherish that wonderful name
00:10:04.07\00:10:10.91
Cherish that matchless name
00:10:10.94\00:10:17.31
That name is Jesus
00:10:17.35\00:10:23.65
Cherish that beautiful name
00:10:23.69\00:10:29.52
Cherish that wonderful name
00:10:29.56\00:10:35.76
Cherish that matchless name
00:10:35.80\00:10:41.97
That name is Jesus
00:10:42.00\00:10:49.98
He shall save His
people from their sin
00:10:50.01\00:10:54.28
And of His kingdom
there shall be no end
00:10:54.32\00:10:59.25
Both son of God and son of man
00:10:59.29\00:11:04.26
Call His name Jesus
00:11:04.33\00:11:10.93
King of kings and Lord of lords
00:11:10.97\00:11:15.20
He shall reign forevermore
00:11:15.24\00:11:19.41
So come before Him and adore
00:11:19.44\00:11:24.21
That lovely name of Jesus
00:11:24.25\00:11:31.15
No other name can save or heal
00:11:31.19\00:11:37.53
No other name can
cleanse or fill that empty place
00:11:37.59\00:11:44.27
Within your soul
00:11:44.30\00:11:46.67
No other name but Jesus
00:11:46.70\00:11:53.24
When all have come and gone
00:11:53.31\00:11:57.28
That name shall still live on
00:11:57.31\00:12:02.25
So magnify Him loud and strong
00:12:02.28\00:12:07.36
That wondrous name of Jesus
00:12:07.39\00:12:14.93
Cherish that beautiful name
00:12:14.96\00:12:21.50
Cherish that wonderful name
00:12:21.54\00:12:27.88
Cherish that matchless name
00:12:27.91\00:12:33.82
That name is Jesus
00:12:33.88\00:12:40.12
Cherish that beautiful name
00:12:40.16\00:12:46.29
Cherish that wonderful name
00:12:46.33\00:12:52.67
Cherish that matchless name
00:12:52.70\00:12:58.77
That name is
00:12:58.81\00:13:01.14
Jesus
00:13:01.18\00:13:05.28
Jesus
00:13:09.95\00:13:14.32
Jesus
00:13:14.36\00:13:17.86
He means all the world
00:13:17.89\00:13:22.43
To me
00:13:22.46\00:13:26.70
Jesus
00:13:26.74\00:13:30.91
Jesus
00:13:30.94\00:13:34.41
Without Him
00:13:34.44\00:13:37.15
Where would I be
00:13:37.21\00:13:43.45
Jesus
00:13:43.49\00:13:47.86
Jesus
00:13:47.89\00:13:51.53
He means all the world
00:13:51.56\00:13:55.80
To me
00:13:55.83\00:14:00.44
Jesus
00:14:00.47\00:14:04.74
Jesus
00:14:04.77\00:14:08.44
Without Him
00:14:08.48\00:14:11.05
Where would I be
00:14:11.08\00:14:18.35
Without Jesus
00:14:18.39\00:14:22.16
Where would I be
00:14:22.19\00:14:29.60
I don't know where I would be,
00:14:32.20\00:14:33.60
I can't imagine where
I would be without Jesus.
00:14:33.64\00:14:37.01
It's just something that
I've always grown up with.
00:14:37.07\00:14:39.71
I had a mother who
cherished that name.
00:14:39.74\00:14:43.31
She loved it and
I heard that name
00:14:43.35\00:14:45.15
repeated over and over
in all kinds of situations.
00:14:45.18\00:14:49.12
Now the word
cherish means to value,
00:14:49.15\00:14:53.52
to respect, to revere it.
00:14:53.56\00:14:56.22
And the opposite of
that is to desecrate.
00:14:56.26\00:15:01.06
And so I am so thankful
00:15:01.10\00:15:04.07
That God came in flesh
00:15:04.10\00:15:09.54
and He gave Himself a
name that we could call
00:15:09.57\00:15:12.64
that's above every other name.
00:15:12.67\00:15:14.34
So He is my healer,
my Savior, my Provider
00:15:14.38\00:15:18.25
and His name is
Jesus, my best friend.
00:15:18.28\00:15:23.69
Thank you, Lord.
00:15:23.72\00:15:25.25
Thank you, Lord.
00:15:25.29\00:15:27.16
From the splendor of heaven
00:15:40.30\00:15:44.41
To the world down below
00:15:44.44\00:15:50.21
From a manger
00:15:50.25\00:15:52.31
To an old
00:15:52.35\00:15:54.52
Rugged tree
00:15:54.55\00:16:00.09
From the dawn of creation
00:16:00.12\00:16:04.99
Through the corridor of time
00:16:05.03\00:16:09.83
The Savior in love
00:16:09.86\00:16:14.24
He was seeking for me
00:16:14.27\00:16:18.54
He was seeking for me
00:16:18.57\00:16:24.55
Jesus was seeking for me
00:16:24.58\00:16:29.95
Though I knew Him not
00:16:29.98\00:16:32.25
Still He loved me
00:16:32.29\00:16:34.66
And was seeking for me
00:16:34.69\00:16:38.56
He was seeking for me
00:16:38.59\00:16:43.93
Oh, Jesus was seeking for me
00:16:43.97\00:16:49.10
Though I knew Him not
00:16:49.14\00:16:51.31
Still He loved me
00:16:51.34\00:16:53.54
And was seeking
00:16:53.58\00:16:56.41
For me
00:16:56.44\00:17:01.68
He was reaching for me
00:17:01.72\00:17:06.05
But I resisted His touch
00:17:06.09\00:17:11.29
Instead I
reached for other things
00:17:11.33\00:17:16.23
I thought meant so much
00:17:16.26\00:17:21.47
Things of value
in earth's market
00:17:21.50\00:17:26.57
I had sought all of them
00:17:26.61\00:17:30.45
But all the time I was seeking
00:17:30.48\00:17:35.55
I was seeking for Him
00:17:35.58\00:17:41.32
So I reached out to Jesus
00:17:41.36\00:17:46.23
Crying Lord, hear my plea
00:17:46.26\00:17:51.03
For I want You
00:17:51.07\00:17:54.10
To take all of me
00:17:54.14\00:17:59.91
And then out of
darkness I saw His light
00:17:59.94\00:18:05.68
Giving me a brand new start
00:18:05.71\00:18:09.98
Oh, praise the
Lord Jesus found me
00:18:10.02\00:18:14.86
When I gave Him all of my heart
00:18:14.89\00:18:19.06
He was seeking for me
00:18:19.09\00:18:23.97
I'm so glad He
was seeking for me
00:18:24.00\00:18:29.84
Though I knew Him not
00:18:29.87\00:18:31.84
Still He loved me
00:18:31.87\00:18:34.64
And was seeking for me
00:18:34.68\00:18:38.35
He was seeking for me
00:18:38.38\00:18:42.95
Yes, Jesus was seeking for me
00:18:42.98\00:18:48.76
Though I knew Him not
00:18:48.79\00:18:50.96
Jesus loved me
00:18:50.99\00:18:53.23
Though I knew Him not
00:18:53.26\00:18:54.83
With His blood He bought me
00:18:54.86\00:18:57.73
Though I knew Him not
00:18:57.77\00:18:59.60
He forgave me Though I knew Him
00:18:59.63\00:19:02.30
Though I knew Him not
00:19:02.34\00:19:03.87
One day Jesus saved me
00:19:03.94\00:19:06.71
Though I knew Him not
00:19:06.74\00:19:08.78
Still He loved
me and was seeking
00:19:08.81\00:19:13.98
Seeking
00:19:14.05\00:19:15.78
For me
00:19:15.82\00:19:20.79
For me
00:19:23.26\00:19:26.03
It was during a two week revival
00:19:31.87\00:19:33.74
that the Lord gave
me a new progression
00:19:33.77\00:19:39.24
as I was
playing on the keyboard,
00:19:39.27\00:19:41.44
while the pastor was speaking.
00:19:41.48\00:19:43.45
And so every
night at that revival,
00:19:43.48\00:19:45.25
that same progression
kept coming back to me.
00:19:45.28\00:19:47.75
And by the time we had
finished the two week revival,
00:19:47.78\00:19:50.19
I had a course.
00:19:50.22\00:19:52.45
Now usually when
God gives me a song,
00:19:52.49\00:19:54.26
He gives me the
words and the music.
00:19:54.29\00:19:55.96
But this time it
was just the music.
00:19:55.99\00:19:58.06
So I had to figure out
what words God really wanted
00:19:58.09\00:20:00.90
with this wonderful
progression He gave me.
00:20:00.93\00:20:03.93
Couldn't get any
ideas, I wrestled with it,
00:20:03.97\00:20:06.80
finally figured out that
the only thing that worked
00:20:06.84\00:20:09.20
over this musical
progression was John 3:16.
00:20:09.24\00:20:12.81
So I concluded that
that's what God had in mind.
00:20:12.84\00:20:15.71
So I started
working on the verses.
00:20:15.74\00:20:18.21
As a matter of fact,
00:20:18.25\00:20:19.58
I was writing in a
subway in New York City
00:20:19.61\00:20:22.12
and the second verse came,
00:20:22.15\00:20:23.99
I didn't have
anything to write with,
00:20:24.05\00:20:25.39
didn't have
anything to write on,
00:20:25.42\00:20:27.26
there's this dear
elderly black sister
00:20:27.32\00:20:29.09
sitting across from me,
00:20:29.12\00:20:30.69
she loaned me her pen
00:20:30.73\00:20:32.49
and she gave me a brown
paper sack that I wrote that
00:20:32.53\00:20:35.66
second verse of "For
God so loved the world on."
00:20:35.70\00:20:40.30
So this almost finished
00:20:40.37\00:20:43.97
and the God that gave
me the musical progression
00:20:44.04\00:20:45.87
during the revival
gave the words to John
00:20:45.91\00:20:48.78
a long time before I came along.
00:20:48.81\00:20:51.28
Gave me the pen on
the subway to write with,
00:20:51.31\00:20:55.18
even gave me
the brown paper sack
00:20:55.22\00:20:57.12
to write the words on.
00:20:57.15\00:20:58.69
And then as if
that weren't enough,
00:20:58.72\00:21:00.36
God gave me the
wonderful opportunity
00:21:00.39\00:21:03.06
to showcase this song
at a James Cleveland event
00:21:03.09\00:21:06.23
in Houston, Texas.
00:21:06.26\00:21:07.96
Fifteen hundred voice choir
00:21:07.96\00:21:10.13
and I'm telling
you, it was so marvelous,
00:21:10.17\00:21:13.03
I thought I was
next toward a heaven.
00:21:13.07\00:21:14.90
It was so overwhelming.
00:21:14.94\00:21:16.81
Since its debut that song
has become a very favorite
00:21:16.87\00:21:20.44
in the black gospel community.
00:21:20.48\00:21:22.11
And so we'd like to
share with you today
00:21:22.14\00:21:23.95
"For God so loved the world."
00:21:24.01\00:21:27.82
For God
00:21:27.85\00:21:32.19
So loved the world
00:21:32.22\00:21:38.73
That He gave
00:21:38.76\00:21:42.30
His only begotten Son
00:21:42.33\00:21:48.87
That whomsoever
00:21:48.90\00:21:55.18
Believeth on Him
00:21:55.21\00:22:00.05
Should not perish
00:22:00.12\00:22:03.25
Should not perish
00:22:03.28\00:22:08.56
But they shall have
00:22:08.59\00:22:13.26
They shall have
00:22:13.29\00:22:16.50
Everlasting
00:22:16.53\00:22:21.80
Life
00:22:21.84\00:22:27.71
God could have chosen
00:22:27.74\00:22:32.51
To never love again
00:22:32.55\00:22:37.82
Fallen man could go his way
00:22:37.85\00:22:42.42
And die in his sin
00:22:42.46\00:22:46.96
Oh, but God in
His compassion said
00:22:47.00\00:22:52.80
"I'll pay redemption's price"
00:22:52.83\00:22:57.47
So He took on the form of man
00:22:57.54\00:23:02.94
And became the perfect sacrifice
00:23:02.98\00:23:10.89
Oh, thank you, Jesus.
00:23:10.92\00:23:12.39
Thank you, Jesus.
00:23:12.42\00:23:15.86
Now if riches
could have paid the debt
00:23:15.89\00:23:21.40
Then God could have sold
00:23:21.43\00:23:27.30
All the walls of jasper
00:23:27.34\00:23:31.11
And all the
streets of purest gold
00:23:31.14\00:23:36.91
But He knew the
price of one lost soul
00:23:36.95\00:23:42.52
Was more than wealth could buy
00:23:42.55\00:23:47.02
And if
redemption were ever bought
00:23:47.06\00:23:52.86
Only love would satisfy
00:23:52.89\00:23:58.87
For God
00:23:58.90\00:24:02.74
So loved the world
00:24:02.77\00:24:09.84
That He gave
00:24:09.88\00:24:12.98
His only begotten Son
00:24:13.01\00:24:20.06
That whomsoever
00:24:20.09\00:24:25.63
Believeth on Him
00:24:25.66\00:24:30.03
Should not perish
00:24:30.07\00:24:33.44
Should not perish
00:24:33.50\00:24:38.61
But they shall have
00:24:38.64\00:24:43.11
They shall have
00:24:43.14\00:24:46.11
Everlasting
00:24:46.15\00:24:51.12
Life
00:24:51.15\00:24:54.52
They shall have
00:24:54.56\00:24:57.93
Everlasting life
00:24:57.96\00:25:03.26
Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
00:25:10.44\00:25:11.77
Thank you, Jesus. Thank
God for everlasting life.
00:25:11.81\00:25:13.48
Thank you, Lord.
00:25:13.51\00:25:14.84
He came and He was loved
and if you ever meet Him,
00:25:14.88\00:25:18.78
you have to fall
in love with Him.
00:25:18.81\00:25:20.55
There's no way to
not come in Christ,
00:25:20.62\00:25:23.39
come in contact with
the Christ of Calvary
00:25:23.42\00:25:25.29
and not fall in love.
00:25:25.32\00:25:26.65
This song says,
00:25:26.69\00:25:28.02
I've fallen head over
heels in love with Jesus.
00:25:28.06\00:25:30.46
I've fallen head over
heels in love with Jesus
00:25:34.83\00:25:41.64
I've fallen head over
heels in love with Him
00:25:41.67\00:25:48.31
For He has turned my life around
00:25:48.34\00:25:52.11
Once I was lost
but now I'm found
00:25:52.15\00:25:55.22
I've fallen head over heels
00:25:55.25\00:25:58.59
In love with Him
00:25:58.62\00:26:03.59
I thought I knew
what love was all about
00:26:03.66\00:26:08.76
For I had known the
love of friends and family
00:26:08.80\00:26:13.97
But when I met the One
who saved me I found out
00:26:17.24\00:26:22.74
That this love was love
I never thought could be
00:26:22.78\00:26:28.95
I've fallen head over
heels in love with Jesus
00:26:28.98\00:26:35.76
I've fallen head over
heels in love with Him
00:26:35.79\00:26:42.50
For He has turned my life around
00:26:42.53\00:26:46.33
Once I was lost
but now I'm found
00:26:46.37\00:26:49.44
I've fallen head over heels
00:26:49.47\00:26:52.91
In love with Him
00:26:52.94\00:26:57.95
I get beside myself
just thinking how it is
00:26:57.98\00:27:03.72
That a King would really love
00:27:03.75\00:27:06.59
Someone like me
00:27:06.62\00:27:11.59
And just to know that
He is mine and I am His
00:27:11.63\00:27:17.07
Makes me want to lift
my life so all can see
00:27:17.10\00:27:23.34
I've fallen head over
heels in love with Jesus
00:27:23.41\00:27:30.05
I've fallen head over
heels in love with Him
00:27:30.08\00:27:36.89
For He has turned my life around
00:27:36.92\00:27:40.66
Once I was lost
but now I'm found
00:27:40.69\00:27:43.56
I've fallen head over
heels in love with Him
00:27:43.63\00:27:50.33
I've fallen head over
heels in love with Jesus
00:27:50.37\00:27:57.11
I've fallen head over
heels in love with Him
00:27:57.17\00:28:03.88
For He has turned my life around
00:28:03.91\00:28:07.68
Once I was lost
but now I'm found
00:28:07.72\00:28:10.72
I've fallen head over heels
00:28:10.75\00:28:14.09
Head over heels Head over heels
00:28:14.12\00:28:18.29
In love
00:28:18.33\00:28:20.36
With Him
00:28:20.43\00:28:25.83
Well, that song
almost didn't make it
00:28:25.87\00:28:28.34
on our short list of
favorites because Marietta said,
00:28:28.37\00:28:32.34
"Why are we
putting that song on there,
00:28:32.37\00:28:34.18
it's not a Christmas song?"
00:28:34.21\00:28:36.64
Well, if you go back to
our first Christmas project,
00:28:36.68\00:28:39.25
it's on our
first Christmas project
00:28:39.28\00:28:41.62
and I'm not sure
00:28:41.65\00:28:42.98
why it was on our
first Christmas project
00:28:43.02\00:28:44.35
except we must have
needed one more song.
00:28:44.39\00:28:47.16
That's right.
That felt really good.
00:28:47.19\00:28:48.76
And it feels good.
00:28:48.79\00:28:50.13
So head over heels was on
our first Christmas project
00:28:50.16\00:28:53.23
and it ended up on our
short list of favorites today.
00:28:53.26\00:28:56.20
And I love the song. Yes.
00:28:56.23\00:28:58.03
It would have
been so easy for me
00:28:58.07\00:29:01.24
to not go on to the
Christmas production
00:29:01.27\00:29:03.27
for the Houston
First Baptist Church
00:29:03.30\00:29:05.81
Christmas production.
00:29:05.84\00:29:07.88
Saturday December the 14th 1996,
00:29:07.91\00:29:11.38
can you imagine back that far?
00:29:11.41\00:29:13.98
First of all because
I wasn't feeling well.
00:29:14.05\00:29:16.42
This is such a long story,
00:29:16.45\00:29:18.22
we don't have time to
even tell the story in an hour.
00:29:18.25\00:29:20.82
Somebody had given me a
ticket that they had bought.
00:29:20.89\00:29:23.32
And so I said, okay, I don't
feel well but I'll go anyway.
00:29:23.36\00:29:27.96
I had no clue
what God had in mind,
00:29:28.00\00:29:31.17
because in retrospect I see that
00:29:31.20\00:29:33.74
God had been working 36
years to put a puzzle together
00:29:33.77\00:29:38.44
of which my being at
that church that night
00:29:38.47\00:29:41.34
was the last final
piece of the puzzle.
00:29:41.38\00:29:43.98
I didn't know it.
00:29:44.05\00:29:45.38
So I got there, they
had this beautiful program
00:29:45.41\00:29:48.78
that I got it at the door.
00:29:48.82\00:29:50.29
And on the front
it says, a season
00:29:50.32\00:29:53.46
and then you open
it up, it says, a star
00:29:53.49\00:29:56.39
and you open it up one more time
00:29:56.42\00:29:57.86
and it says a savior.
00:29:57.89\00:29:59.69
And I thought what
a beautiful program
00:29:59.73\00:30:02.00
and I said
that's a wonderful ring.
00:30:02.03\00:30:04.97
Max locator would like that
00:30:05.00\00:30:06.33
SSS, a season, a savior, a star.
00:30:06.37\00:30:09.00
So I sat there all
evening waiting for
00:30:09.04\00:30:12.11
a season, a star, a
savior but it never came.
00:30:12.14\00:30:17.65
And I finally figured out that
00:30:17.68\00:30:19.01
it was just a nice
title for the production.
00:30:19.05\00:30:21.58
But walking from the sanctuary
to my car in the parking lot
00:30:21.62\00:30:26.72
a season, it just
started rolling out.
00:30:26.76\00:30:30.63
And then I had to rearrange it
00:30:30.69\00:30:32.09
because as a song
it didn't fit this.
00:30:32.13\00:30:35.56
So that became a
season, a savior, a star.
00:30:35.60\00:30:40.67
And so by the time I got home,
the whole course was written
00:30:40.70\00:30:45.21
and then it
turned into a whole song.
00:30:45.24\00:30:47.64
I do believe that
the steps of a good man
00:30:47.68\00:30:50.01
are ordered by the Lord.
00:30:50.08\00:30:51.71
And in spite of the
fact that I didn't feel well,
00:30:51.75\00:30:54.85
had I not gone to
that production that night,
00:30:54.88\00:30:57.95
this song would
never have been born
00:30:57.99\00:31:00.36
and furthermore, this
music would never have been born
00:31:00.39\00:31:04.03
by the same title a
season, a savior, a star.
00:31:04.06\00:31:08.46
Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
00:31:09.60\00:31:12.07
A season, a savior
00:31:18.91\00:31:23.85
A star
00:31:23.91\00:31:27.58
We are reason
00:31:27.62\00:31:30.05
He came from afar
00:31:30.09\00:31:35.76
To redeem us from the fall
00:31:35.79\00:31:39.86
Oh, the wonder of it all
00:31:39.89\00:31:44.97
A season, a savior, a star
00:31:45.00\00:31:50.74
Star was born
00:31:50.77\00:31:54.04
One night in Bethlehem
00:31:54.11\00:31:59.05
Yes, a star was born
00:32:00.52\00:32:04.49
For all mankind
00:32:04.52\00:32:09.96
Just a tiny babe
00:32:10.03\00:32:15.36
Named Jesus
00:32:15.40\00:32:21.20
But a star for now
00:32:21.24\00:32:23.67
And all of time
00:32:23.71\00:32:30.91
A star for now
00:32:30.95\00:32:33.92
And all of time
00:32:33.98\00:32:40.86
My favorite scripture
00:32:40.92\00:32:42.26
in the whole
Bible is Jeremiah 29:11.
00:32:42.29\00:32:45.39
It simply says,
00:32:45.43\00:32:47.03
"For I know the
plans that I have for you
00:32:47.10\00:32:49.56
declares the Lord.
00:32:49.60\00:32:51.37
Plans to prosper
you and not to harm you.
00:32:51.40\00:32:54.50
Plans to give you
a hope and a future."
00:32:54.54\00:32:57.81
The babe in the
manger came into this world,
00:32:57.84\00:33:00.41
so that we could have
a hope for the future.
00:33:00.48\00:33:03.85
The gift of hope was
wrapped in swaddling clothes
00:33:03.88\00:33:06.82
and the Child gave us
hope for this life and life,
00:33:06.85\00:33:10.29
you have to sing it, Dave.
00:33:10.32\00:33:12.52
Hope was born
00:33:12.55\00:33:15.22
One night in Bethlehem
00:33:15.26\00:33:20.03
Yes, hope was born
00:33:21.90\00:33:25.33
For all mankind
00:33:25.37\00:33:30.41
Just a tiny babe
00:33:30.47\00:33:35.78
Named Jesus
00:33:35.81\00:33:40.78
But hope for now
00:33:40.82\00:33:43.45
And all of time
00:33:43.49\00:33:51.36
Hope for now
00:33:51.39\00:33:53.50
And all of time
00:33:53.56\00:34:01.27
They laid Him in a lowly manger
00:34:10.35\00:34:16.35
For there was no room
00:34:16.38\00:34:18.42
In the inn
00:34:18.45\00:34:22.16
And though a King
00:34:22.19\00:34:23.96
He was a stranger
00:34:24.03\00:34:28.23
To the little town of Bethlehem
00:34:28.26\00:34:34.47
How strange that
those so close around Him
00:34:34.50\00:34:40.44
Now seems so very far away
00:34:40.48\00:34:46.35
Well, wise men from the afar
00:34:46.38\00:34:48.92
They found Him
00:34:48.95\00:34:52.55
His star shone bright
00:34:52.59\00:34:54.39
To light the way
00:34:54.42\00:34:57.49
And wise men
00:34:57.53\00:35:02.03
Still seek Him
00:35:02.06\00:35:05.23
Today
00:35:05.27\00:35:10.21
His light still shines
00:35:10.24\00:35:13.01
To point them
00:35:13.04\00:35:14.98
To the way
00:35:15.01\00:35:20.92
The fools
00:35:20.95\00:35:23.69
Have said
00:35:23.72\00:35:25.95
In their hearts
00:35:25.99\00:35:28.09
There is no God
00:35:28.12\00:35:32.09
Wise men
00:35:32.13\00:35:34.30
Still seek Him
00:35:34.30\00:35:37.33
Today
00:35:37.37\00:35:41.97
You may have sought
00:35:43.57\00:35:45.07
For earthly pleasure
00:35:45.11\00:35:49.41
Things of this world to satisfy
00:35:49.44\00:35:55.35
But now you
seek another treasure
00:35:55.38\00:36:01.22
Which wealth or money
00:36:01.26\00:36:02.96
Cannot buy
00:36:02.99\00:36:07.23
It matters not just
00:36:07.30\00:36:09.36
Where you've been my friend
00:36:09.40\00:36:13.77
The Lord Knows
00:36:13.84\00:36:15.17
How you feel within
00:36:15.20\00:36:19.74
And if you'll give your heart
00:36:19.77\00:36:22.61
And life to Him
00:36:22.64\00:36:26.21
He'll bring your searching
00:36:26.25\00:36:28.52
To an end
00:36:28.55\00:36:32.82
Wise men still seek Him
00:36:32.85\00:36:38.36
Today
00:36:38.39\00:36:43.53
His light still
shines to point them
00:36:43.57\00:36:48.37
To the way
00:36:48.40\00:36:54.41
The fools have
said in their hearts
00:36:54.44\00:37:01.62
There is no God
00:37:01.65\00:37:05.55
Wise men still seek Him
00:37:05.59\00:37:10.96
Today
00:37:10.99\00:37:15.63
Jesus is still the answer
00:37:18.90\00:37:24.47
And though time and ages roll
00:37:24.51\00:37:30.28
Jesus is still the answer
00:37:30.35\00:37:35.68
He's the answer for your soul
00:37:35.72\00:37:41.59
And though some may say
00:37:41.62\00:37:44.59
He doesn't fit
00:37:44.63\00:37:47.10
With their philosophy
00:37:47.13\00:37:51.27
I know Jesus is still the answer
00:37:51.30\00:37:56.97
He's always been
and always will be
00:37:57.01\00:38:04.61
If you're searching
today for something.
00:38:04.65\00:38:08.68
It doesn't matter what it is,
00:38:08.72\00:38:10.62
because God has the
answer to everything.
00:38:10.65\00:38:13.69
Jesus is the answer
that you're seeking for.
00:38:13.72\00:38:16.06
You don't really know
why you're going places
00:38:16.09\00:38:19.56
and looking maybe
in all the wrong places
00:38:19.59\00:38:23.57
for right things.
00:38:23.60\00:38:25.97
If you'll come to Jesus,
00:38:26.00\00:38:27.94
you'll just take
Him into your heart
00:38:27.97\00:38:30.31
and ask Him to shine His light
00:38:30.34\00:38:33.48
so that you can get out of
this dark place that you're in.
00:38:33.51\00:38:37.65
It might be sickness,
00:38:37.68\00:38:39.01
it might be some kind of
financial need, heartache,
00:38:39.05\00:38:44.19
whatever it is,
00:38:44.22\00:38:45.72
Jesus is the
only answer you need.
00:38:45.75\00:38:49.12
He'll answer all
of your problems.
00:38:49.16\00:38:52.26
Jesus is still the answer
00:38:52.29\00:38:58.20
And though time and ages roll
00:38:58.23\00:39:04.61
Jesus is still the answer
00:39:04.64\00:39:09.84
He's the answer for your soul
00:39:09.88\00:39:15.18
And though some
may say He doesn't fit
00:39:15.22\00:39:20.49
With their philosophy
00:39:20.52\00:39:24.63
I know
00:39:24.66\00:39:25.99
Jesus is still the answer
00:39:26.03\00:39:30.20
He's always been
and always will be
00:39:30.27\00:39:35.60
And wise men still seeking
00:39:35.64\00:39:42.28
Wise men still seeking
00:39:42.31\00:39:47.25
Wise men still seeking
00:39:47.32\00:39:52.19
Today
00:39:52.22\00:39:59.73
Thank you, Lord.
00:39:59.76\00:40:01.06
No room
00:40:10.01\00:40:13.68
No room for Him
00:40:13.74\00:40:17.88
No room to let Him in
00:40:17.91\00:40:22.42
No room for Jesus
00:40:24.32\00:40:27.92
In the world He made
00:40:27.96\00:40:30.19
Just for Him
00:40:30.23\00:40:34.40
No room for the King of kings
00:40:39.03\00:40:45.94
Room for others,
and for other things
00:40:45.97\00:40:50.18
Oh, but no room for Jesus
00:40:52.75\00:40:57.75
In the heart He made
00:40:57.79\00:40:59.89
Just for Him
00:40:59.92\00:41:03.73
Room for houses,
lands and pleasures
00:41:08.46\00:41:15.47
Room for things that pass away
00:41:15.50\00:41:22.68
But for the one
who reigns forever
00:41:22.71\00:41:30.25
There's no room today
00:41:30.29\00:41:35.99
No room
00:41:38.13\00:41:40.96
For the King of kings
00:41:41.00\00:41:45.03
Room for others,
and for other things
00:41:45.07\00:41:52.04
He just keeps
knocking but he hears you say
00:41:52.07\00:41:58.65
No room
00:41:58.68\00:42:02.52
And so it is today
as it always has been.
00:42:05.02\00:42:09.46
No room.
00:42:09.49\00:42:11.29
This time He does not seek
entrance into a crowded inn
00:42:11.33\00:42:16.13
or acceptance to a
blood thirsty crowd.
00:42:16.16\00:42:20.14
He is seeking
admission into your heart.
00:42:20.20\00:42:23.97
You say you're so busy
00:42:25.27\00:42:26.74
doing things, going
places, seeing people
00:42:26.78\00:42:30.71
that you did not have
time, no room for Him.
00:42:30.75\00:42:35.05
He knows how it is,
00:42:35.08\00:42:37.15
He's waited before.
00:42:37.19\00:42:39.59
No, He will not
force His way in,
00:42:39.62\00:42:43.53
He only knocks gently.
00:42:43.59\00:42:45.86
I'm sure He wonders
why it wasn't enough
00:42:47.03\00:42:50.53
just to have made
you and fasten your heart
00:42:50.60\00:42:55.44
as a place for Him to stay.
00:42:55.47\00:42:58.51
Oh, if you only knew
how much He loves you.
00:42:58.54\00:43:03.55
Can you feel Him knocking now?
00:43:03.58\00:43:06.58
Room for houses,
lands and pleasures
00:43:06.61\00:43:13.69
Room for things that pass away
00:43:13.76\00:43:20.80
But for the One
who reigns forever
00:43:20.83\00:43:28.50
There's no room today
00:43:28.54\00:43:33.88
Room today
00:43:33.94\00:43:39.61
No room
00:43:39.65\00:43:42.42
For the King of kings
00:43:42.45\00:43:46.76
Room for others
00:43:46.82\00:43:48.89
And for other things
00:43:48.92\00:43:54.23
He'll just keeps
knocking till He hears you say
00:43:54.30\00:44:02.24
Come into my heart
00:44:02.27\00:44:07.18
Into my heart
00:44:08.41\00:44:14.92
Come into my heart
00:44:14.95\00:44:21.66
Today
00:44:21.69\00:44:27.30
Come in, Jesus.
00:44:34.04\00:44:35.57
Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah.
00:44:38.77\00:44:41.04
And He's still knocking today.
00:44:41.08\00:44:43.41
If you've not received
Him as your personal savior,
00:44:43.45\00:44:46.35
He's waiting with open arms.
00:44:46.38\00:44:48.82
I'd written quite a
few second coming songs.
00:44:48.85\00:44:52.29
And because of that I felt
00:44:52.32\00:44:53.92
that God may have
been wanting me to write
00:44:53.96\00:44:55.66
a musical with that focus.
00:44:55.69\00:44:57.49
So I took the
idea to my publisher.
00:44:57.53\00:45:00.83
And they quickly shot it down
00:45:00.86\00:45:03.10
because they said
00:45:03.13\00:45:04.47
it wouldn't be well
received in the marketplace.
00:45:04.50\00:45:06.13
And of course, they know
because they are the publisher.
00:45:06.17\00:45:09.17
They say we should do
another Christmas musical
00:45:09.20\00:45:12.24
as a follow up
to the successful,
00:45:12.27\00:45:14.28
Noel, Jesus is born.
00:45:14.31\00:45:16.01
So the president
of Benson Company,
00:45:16.04\00:45:17.55
I won't mention his name.
00:45:17.58\00:45:19.48
He said, "Lanny, why don't you
write a song about Isaiah 9:6."
00:45:19.51\00:45:23.49
So I went home disappointed
00:45:23.52\00:45:26.12
but I wrote the song,
00:45:26.15\00:45:27.92
I came back to Nashville
and I presented the song to him
00:45:27.96\00:45:31.99
and he said,
00:45:32.03\00:45:33.40
"Well, I don't think we
should put in the musical."
00:45:33.43\00:45:37.80
And furthermore,
00:45:37.83\00:45:40.80
"Lanny, I think you
can write a better song."
00:45:40.84\00:45:44.07
Well, I felt so
strongly about the song
00:45:44.11\00:45:46.41
that God had given me
00:45:46.44\00:45:47.78
even though the
president has signed it
00:45:47.81\00:45:50.11
that I begged and I pleaded
00:45:50.15\00:45:51.58
and finally he
can sent it to us,
00:45:51.61\00:45:53.78
put it in the Christmas musical.
00:45:53.82\00:45:55.15
So Don Marsh did an
arrangement of the song.
00:45:55.18\00:45:58.62
Brought the song
back to the president
00:45:58.65\00:46:01.09
of Benson
Company and rejected it.
00:46:01.12\00:46:05.06
He was good at rejecting.
00:46:05.09\00:46:06.93
And so I suggested, I said,
00:46:06.96\00:46:08.60
"Why don't we do a duet
with choir kind of concept."
00:46:08.63\00:46:12.93
And then I suggested,
00:46:12.97\00:46:14.30
why don't we do Sandi
Patty and Larnelle Harris.
00:46:14.34\00:46:16.64
So Don Marsh went away again,
00:46:16.71\00:46:18.94
did an arrangement
with that concept in mind,
00:46:18.97\00:46:20.91
brought it back.
00:46:20.98\00:46:22.31
It got approved.
00:46:22.34\00:46:23.98
Sandi and Larnelle came in,
00:46:24.05\00:46:25.91
we're not even in the
studio at the same time.
00:46:25.95\00:46:28.38
Larnelle came in,
00:46:28.42\00:46:29.75
they'd had a what
they call a dummy voice
00:46:29.78\00:46:31.75
so he could work around it.
00:46:31.79\00:46:33.39
And then Sandi came in
later, put her voice on.
00:46:33.46\00:46:37.03
They sang it at the
praise gathering in November,
00:46:37.06\00:46:39.86
got a standing ovation,
the rest is history my friends.
00:46:39.89\00:46:44.43
In February of 1984
00:46:44.47\00:46:48.04
they got a Grammy
for their performance.
00:46:48.07\00:46:49.97
Two months later, the
song "More than wonderful"
00:46:50.01\00:46:52.81
got a debut award
for song of the year.
00:46:52.84\00:46:56.08
And I who is supposed to
have written a better song
00:46:56.11\00:47:00.68
got a debut award for
song writer of the year.
00:47:00.75\00:47:03.82
So what did I
learn from all this,
00:47:03.85\00:47:05.29
number one, if I
had got in my way
00:47:05.32\00:47:08.76
and we done a
second coming musical,
00:47:08.79\00:47:11.26
the president would
have never ever signed me
00:47:11.29\00:47:13.19
to write a song about Isaiah 9:6
00:47:13.23\00:47:15.36
and consequently
00:47:15.40\00:47:17.10
the song "More than Wonderful"
would never have been born.
00:47:17.17\00:47:20.34
Furthermore,
00:47:20.37\00:47:22.64
I learned that when
God gives you a child
00:47:24.01\00:47:28.01
whatever it is,
I'm a song writer,
00:47:28.04\00:47:29.54
God gifts me that a gifting.
00:47:29.58\00:47:32.48
So whatever your gift
is, God gives us all gifts.
00:47:32.51\00:47:35.45
Whatever God
gives you that child
00:47:35.48\00:47:37.39
you are there to protect it.
00:47:37.42\00:47:38.82
The angel told Joseph,
00:47:38.85\00:47:40.39
"Don't go back the
same way you came."
00:47:40.46\00:47:42.09
That was to protect the child.
00:47:42.12\00:47:44.13
So whatever child
God has given you,
00:47:44.16\00:47:47.00
protect it from every Herod.
00:47:47.03\00:47:50.83
I'm so glad
that I have found out
00:47:50.87\00:47:53.13
that Jesus was,
is and always will be
00:47:53.17\00:47:57.27
not just wonderful,
He's more than wonderful.
00:47:57.31\00:48:00.81
And I think it's
interesting to note that
00:48:00.84\00:48:02.71
in all six Christmas musicals.
00:48:02.74\00:48:05.11
Passed thou should
call his name Jesus
00:48:05.15\00:48:07.72
which more than
wonderful showed up in.
00:48:07.75\00:48:09.78
All six of those
Christmas musicals
00:48:09.82\00:48:12.05
end with a second coming song.
00:48:12.09\00:48:14.29
There you go. You got it.
00:48:14.32\00:48:16.46
More than wonderful.
00:48:16.49\00:48:17.83
I stand amazed when I think
00:48:25.60\00:48:29.40
The King of glory
00:48:29.44\00:48:33.58
Come to me
00:48:33.61\00:48:34.94
Within the heart of man
00:48:34.98\00:48:37.81
I marvel just to know
00:48:41.12\00:48:43.72
He really loves me
00:48:43.79\00:48:47.26
When I think of who He is
00:48:47.29\00:48:50.16
And who I am
00:48:50.23\00:48:54.93
For He's more
00:48:57.27\00:49:02.14
Wonderful
00:49:02.17\00:49:04.97
Than my mind can conceive
00:49:05.01\00:49:08.21
He's more wonderful
00:49:08.24\00:49:12.08
Than my heart can believe
00:49:12.11\00:49:15.38
He goes beyond
00:49:15.42\00:49:18.32
My highest hopes
00:49:18.35\00:49:21.02
And fondest dreams
00:49:21.06\00:49:28.26
He's everything
00:49:28.30\00:49:32.80
That my soul ever longed for
00:49:32.83\00:49:37.11
Everything He's promised
00:49:37.14\00:49:40.08
And so much more
00:49:40.11\00:49:43.11
More than amazing
00:49:43.14\00:49:46.51
More than marvelous
00:49:46.55\00:49:49.85
More than miraculous
00:49:49.88\00:49:53.15
Could ever be
00:49:53.19\00:49:55.79
He's more than wonderful
00:49:55.82\00:50:00.10
That's what Jesus is to me
00:50:00.13\00:50:05.23
He's everything
00:50:09.50\00:50:14.04
That my soul ever longed for
00:50:14.08\00:50:17.95
Everything He's promised
00:50:17.98\00:50:20.88
And so much more
00:50:20.92\00:50:23.95
More than amazing
00:50:23.99\00:50:27.36
More than marvelous
00:50:27.42\00:50:30.79
More than miraculous
00:50:30.83\00:50:34.03
Could ever be
00:50:34.10\00:50:36.60
He's more than wonderful
00:50:36.63\00:50:41.00
More than wonderful
00:50:41.04\00:50:44.41
That's what Jesus
00:50:44.44\00:50:51.35
Is to me
00:50:51.38\00:50:55.38
That's what Jesus
00:50:55.42\00:51:00.46
Is to me
00:51:00.49\00:51:08.00
Hallelujah.
00:51:13.00\00:51:14.34
The song writer in me
loves to go to card shops.
00:51:19.37\00:51:22.81
I just like to
look at the cards.
00:51:22.84\00:51:24.61
I may see some word,
I may see some phrase
00:51:24.65\00:51:27.48
that ignites
inspiration for a song.
00:51:27.52\00:51:29.85
So one Christmas season,
00:51:29.88\00:51:31.22
I was standing in front
of a sea of Christmas cards.
00:51:31.25\00:51:33.96
And I noticed that I kept seeing
00:51:34.02\00:51:37.29
happy holidays and
seasonal greetings.
00:51:37.33\00:51:39.83
And I saw very few
Merry Christmas cards.
00:51:39.86\00:51:42.40
So I got concerned, I
went to the owner I said,
00:51:42.43\00:51:44.73
"What's this all about?"
00:51:44.77\00:51:46.17
And he said,
"Well, there's a certain
00:51:46.20\00:51:48.37
commercial in secular
movement that's in place
00:51:48.40\00:51:52.41
to do away with
the word Christmas
00:51:52.44\00:51:54.68
because it has Christ in it.
00:51:54.71\00:51:56.88
So as not to
offend non-Christians
00:51:56.91\00:51:59.81
and the bottom-line
for the card stores is
00:51:59.85\00:52:03.69
not to jeopardize card sales.
00:52:03.72\00:52:05.39
So I went away that day
more determined than ever
00:52:05.42\00:52:08.56
that I would
focus and do my part
00:52:08.59\00:52:11.03
to not let the
trappings of Christmas
00:52:11.06\00:52:13.60
keep Christ out
of the center of it.
00:52:13.63\00:52:15.13
And so the next
musical I wrote was
00:52:15.16\00:52:17.97
Jesus, the heart of Christmas
and it features that song.
00:52:18.00\00:52:21.94
And keep Christ in Christmas.
00:52:21.97\00:52:24.67
Jesus is the very heart
00:52:28.01\00:52:31.98
Of Christmas
00:52:32.01\00:52:35.48
This baby born into
00:52:35.52\00:52:38.65
A cattle stall
00:52:38.69\00:52:43.39
And He is still the reason
00:52:43.43\00:52:47.23
For the season
00:52:47.30\00:52:50.60
So keep Him as
the center of it all
00:52:50.63\00:52:57.34
In your heart Keep Him
as the center of it all
00:52:59.71\00:53:07.52
Keep Christ
00:53:12.45\00:53:15.79
In Christmas
00:53:15.82\00:53:19.36
Don't ever take Him out
00:53:19.39\00:53:27.20
Keep Christ
00:53:27.24\00:53:30.27
In Christmas
00:53:30.31\00:53:34.28
For He is what it's all about
00:53:34.31\00:53:42.22
Yes, He is what it's all about
00:53:42.25\00:53:48.49
When I was growing up,
00:53:53.70\00:53:56.63
no one would have
thought to write a song saying,
00:53:56.70\00:54:00.27
keep Christ in Christmas.
00:54:00.34\00:54:03.91
People didn't think
of doing anything else.
00:54:03.94\00:54:06.41
Everyone it seem, the majority,
00:54:07.48\00:54:10.45
they had Christ in their minds
00:54:10.48\00:54:13.31
when they
thought about Christmas.
00:54:13.35\00:54:15.55
They would put nativity scenes
under their Christmas tree.
00:54:15.58\00:54:20.06
They had more
time for family things
00:54:20.09\00:54:24.33
and they just
taught their children
00:54:24.36\00:54:27.86
that this is the
reason we have Christmas
00:54:27.93\00:54:29.93
is because Jesus was born.
00:54:29.96\00:54:32.03
We're celebrating His birth.
00:54:32.07\00:54:35.04
And unfortunately
through the last few years
00:54:35.07\00:54:39.71
there has been a
drastic turn in our society.
00:54:39.74\00:54:43.91
They are trying to take
Christ out of not just Christmas
00:54:43.95\00:54:47.22
but everything,
00:54:47.28\00:54:48.62
out of the schools,
out of all kinds of things
00:54:48.65\00:54:52.72
that children can't sing
the other Christmas songs
00:54:52.75\00:54:56.49
like they use to
that mentioned Christ.
00:54:56.52\00:55:00.06
They've got to sing about
the season and the holiday
00:55:00.13\00:55:03.00
that don't put any of that
Christ must stuff in there.
00:55:03.03\00:55:07.44
Oh, God please help us.
00:55:08.67\00:55:11.47
Lord, I'm tired of
people changing our society
00:55:11.51\00:55:16.04
and trying to remove everything
00:55:16.08\00:55:18.28
that has been in
our value system,
00:55:18.31\00:55:20.62
all, for these
generations in America,
00:55:20.65\00:55:24.49
who would have
ever thought in America.
00:55:24.52\00:55:27.66
And I refuse, I as a
mother and a grandmother,
00:55:27.69\00:55:31.23
I'm not going to allow
00:55:31.26\00:55:32.59
my children and
great grandchildren
00:55:32.63\00:55:34.73
to grow up not knowing
what Christmas is all about.
00:55:34.76\00:55:39.33
I'm gonna go on a war to
keep Christ in Christmas.
00:55:39.37\00:55:43.91
I want to keep
Him in all of my life.
00:55:43.97\00:55:46.64
He is the center of my joy.
00:55:46.68\00:55:49.68
And so we're gonna
keep Christ in Christmas.
00:55:49.71\00:55:52.85
Whatever you're
having this Christmas,
00:55:52.88\00:55:55.02
you may not have
a happy Christmas
00:55:55.05\00:55:57.95
that you were expecting,
00:55:57.99\00:55:59.75
the most
wonderful time of the year.
00:55:59.79\00:56:02.09
This maybe a sad Christmas.
00:56:02.12\00:56:04.59
It may be a lonely Christmas
00:56:04.63\00:56:06.73
but if Jesus is in it, if
you have Him in your house,
00:56:06.76\00:56:11.10
if it's just you and Jesus,
00:56:11.13\00:56:13.13
looking at the
lights of the Christmas tree
00:56:13.17\00:56:15.70
and you're saying thank you God
for coming in the form of man,
00:56:15.74\00:56:20.58
becoming a babe
and taking on our sins
00:56:20.61\00:56:24.55
and going to a cross and
dying and then rising again,
00:56:24.58\00:56:28.15
so that we could
have life evermore.
00:56:28.18\00:56:30.52
I thank You, I thank You
00:56:30.59\00:56:33.39
and you'll have one of the best
Christmases you've ever had.
00:56:33.46\00:56:36.29
Let's pray right now.
00:56:36.32\00:56:38.86
Lord Jesus, we
thank You for this time
00:56:38.89\00:56:41.23
that we have spent
00:56:41.26\00:56:42.73
talking about You,
coming to this earth,
00:56:42.76\00:56:46.07
taking on the form of man.
00:56:46.10\00:56:48.27
You loved us so much
00:56:48.30\00:56:49.87
that You were
willing to do that.
00:56:49.90\00:56:52.31
And we thank
You, we thank You Lord
00:56:52.34\00:56:55.18
for sending Your
light for seeking for us.
00:56:55.21\00:56:58.91
And I pray now that You would
look out over this TV audience,
00:56:58.95\00:57:03.02
the people who are
listening right now.
00:57:03.05\00:57:05.52
I pray that You would touch them
00:57:05.55\00:57:07.59
with Your love, with
Your peace, with Your joy.
00:57:07.62\00:57:11.59
Help someone to call
out to You today and say
00:57:11.63\00:57:14.66
Lord, I need You,
I need Your light,
00:57:14.73\00:57:18.03
come into my heart Lord Jesus.
00:57:18.07\00:57:21.07
I want You to be
with me for Christmas.
00:57:21.10\00:57:23.91
Keep Christ in Christmas
00:57:23.94\00:57:29.51
For He is what it's all about
00:57:29.54\00:57:37.09
Yes, He is what it's all about
00:57:37.12\00:57:43.12