Sing! An Irish Christmas ― Program Book

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! s g n i t e e r G t s e m r Wa

Dear fellow carolers,

Welcome to Sing, An Irish Christmas! One of the most wonderful parts of this season is the opportunity for all of us, old and young, to gather together and sing the songs of Christmas. This year has been such an exciting one as we have celebrated the launch of the Sing! project, and we can’t imagine a more fitting way to complete the year than by singing songs of Christmas together with you tonight.

Some of the carols this evening have been sung for centuries and some are freshly written. Some we hope you'll enjoy listening to and others we invite you to join us on that we might become a choir that fills the whole room!

May remembering the peace and hope of Christmas this evening transcend the busy clamor all around and bring a deep and steady comfort to each one of us. And may the words we sing together “repeat the sounding joy” into our hearts, our families, our churches and communities in the weeks and months ahead.

Thank you for being here with us.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Keith and Kristyn For those who would like to find out more about the meaning of Christmas and about the Christian Faith we have a couple of complimentary books available to you in the lobby—please just ask!

If you have any additional questions, prayer requests, or are looking to be involved in a church family near you, email info@gettymusic.com.

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FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST WE Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the Church and fulfill the Great Commission.

Wake Forest, NC sebts.edu/getty

AN IRISH CHRISTMAS 2017 TOUR 12/3

PENSACOLA, FL | Olive Baptist Church

12/15 CHICAGO, IL | Christian Heritage Academy

12/6

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | The Broadmoor Hotel

12/17 CHARLOTTE, NC | Calvary Church

12/7

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | The Broadmoor Hotel

12/18 ATLANTA, GA | The Fox Theatre

12/8

TOPEKA, KS | Fellowship Bible Church

12/9

ARLINGTON, TX | First Baptist Arlington

12/19 ROANOKE, VA | The Berglund Center 12/20 NEW YORK, NY | Carnegie Hall

12/10 MUSCLE SHOALS, AL | Grace Life Church

12/13 WASHINGTON DC | The Kennedy Center

Featuring Joni Eareckson Tada, David Kim, & John Patitucci

12/21 READING, PA | Santander Performing Arts Center

Featuring David Kim & John Patitucci

12/14 CLEVELAND, OH | KeyBank State Theatre in Cleveland

Featuring Ricky Skaggs, David Crowder & The Jubal Chorus

12/23 NASHVILLE, TN | The Schermerhorn Symphony Hall

Featuring Alistair Begg, David Kim, & Fernando Ortega

CREDITS CREATED AND PRODUCED BY KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS BY KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY, FIONÁN DE BARRA DEBORAH KLEMME: Artistic Supervisor / STEPHEN CAVE: Emcee

MUSICIANS:

PRODUCTION:

MEDIA /PR:

Patrick D’Arcy: Uilleann Pipes, Irish Whistles, Mandolin, Bodhrán, Harmonica, World Flutes

Chris Roslan for Roslan & Campion (US) Gareth Russell for Jersey Road PR (UK)

Peter Wahlers: Bass

Justin Zebell: Production Director Greg Lee: Tour Coordinator Cliff Young: Tour Manager Daniel Myers: Production Manager / FOH Chris Lighthall: Lighting Director Christian Arnold: Monitor Engineer Trent Stegink: Stage Manager Duncan Ferguson: Systems Tech Courtney Hamel: Production Assistant Annsley McRae: Tour Assistant Kristen Migendt: Merchandise Manager

Maggie White: Violin, Mandolin, Dance

EXECUTIVE:

Zach White: Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Banjo, Background Vocalist

Beverly Bartsch: Tour Accounting Ann Casas: Marketing Manager Andrea Lyons: Marketing Strategist Joni McCabe: Vice President, Touring Greg McNey, Getty Music Scott Revo: Tour Coordination John Schwartz: Marketing Strategist Josh Sutton: Vice President, Marketing & Development

Fionán de Barra: Band Director, Acoustic Guitar, Lute, Celtic Harp Garth Justice: Drums, Percussion Shelly Justice: Background Vocalist, Vocal Director Deborah Klemme: Violin Shannon Lambert-Ryan: Staging Director, Background Vocalist, Percussion, Celtic Harp, Bodhrán, Dance (Harp courtesy of Salvi Harps)

Special thanks to the gifted singers and choirs and their directors who join us in each city.

Additional thanks to these musicians who will join us along the way: Chamber Strings (appearing at The Kennedy Center, KeyBank State Theatre in Cleveland and Carnegie Hall): Alana Carithers, Coordinator Benjamin Harding (appearing at The Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall): Harpsichord Benjamin Klemme (appearing at Carnegie Hall): Conductor of the Chamber Strings and Choir Hymnal Arrangements and Score Preparation: Paul Campbell for Studio Orchestrations Additional Arrangements by Paul Campbell, Naomi Campbell-Bennett, Tom Carradine, Ross Holmes, Ken Lewis, Michael McGlynn, Simon Nathan, Jac Redford, Jeff Taylor, and Peter Wahlers.

ADDITIONAL TOUR PERSONNEL: Abigail Wahlers: Tour Tutor Brettan Cox: Lead Nanny Samantha Krzyzewski: Nanny Franny Cash: Nanny

PROGRAM BOOK: Ken Johnson: Production Manager Natalie Diaz: Designer Kim Thomas: Original Artwork Steven Hanna, Jeremy Cowart, Gilbert Lennox: Photographs Josh Sutton: Ad Sales Thank you to these organizations for their generous sponsorship of Sing! An Irish Christmas:

A special thank you to these individuals and companies whose assistance in support of Getty Music is deeply appreciated: Danny Aiken, Allen Printing, Capitol Christian Music Group, Stephen Cave, CFO Business Services, CTS Audio, Delta Stage Lighting, Elizabeth Graham and Yellow Brick Events, Hal Leonard Corporation, Mike Harland, Integrity Music, Terry Lawrence, Mere Agency, Music Services, Art Rainer, Thom Rainer, Streamline Event Agency, Alan White, World News Group, Eric Wyse.

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Keith & Kristyn Getty

K

eith and Kristyn Getty occupy a unique space in the world of music today as preeminent modern hymn writers. Hailing from Northern Ireland they have reinvented the traditional hymn form, creating a catalogue of songs teaching Christian doctrine and crossing the genres of traditional, classical, folk and contemporary composition sung the world over.

“In Christ Alone” (penned by Keith and Stuart Townend) has held the #1 position of most-frequently-sung in UK churches for 9 consecutive years, was voted the #2 best-loved hymn of all time in the UK by a BBC Songs of Praise national survey, and is deemed among the top 5 hymns of all time by the UK Hymns Society.

Beyond the licensed activity of CCLI who estimates 40-50 million people are singing “In Christ Alone”, the song’s publishers, Integrity Music, note the reach of the hymn is likely twice that number considering its unique popularity throughout Asia and traditional and classical contexts elsewhere. The broader Getty Music catalog is increasingly found both in traditional and contemporary circles, featured in most modern hymnbooks and more than 60 titles found on top 2,000 CCLI charts between the UK and USA. Keith and Kristyn continue to be global ambassadors for modern hymns in the USA and throughout the world. In 2017, Keith was honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to music and modern hymn writing. With their annual Christmas shows and

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hymn tours, the Gettys have performed internationally in a spectrum of churches, cathedrals, and concert halls, for presidents and world leaders, and on television specials for US public television and BBC. Their work is extended through ten-plus album releases, three concert videos, multiple songbooks, and the Getty Kids Hymnal series of music products for children. The annual Global Hymnsing sponsored by Getty Music has seen the participation of one million-plus congregants in more than 100 hundred countries each year.

In 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Keith and Kristyn launched the Sing! initiative to champion congregational singing and its ability to transform individuals, families, churches and communities. Released initially as a book for entire congregations to study together, and as the banner and platform of their 2017 global conference, the project was launched at the Chapel of the British Houses of Parliament and is expanding into a series of recordings, publications, tours, and now-annual global conference.

Originally from Northern Ireland and their home congregation of Glenabbey Church, Keith and Kristyn began on ongoing relationship with Alistair Begg and Parkside Church in Ohio after moving to the United States in 2006. Though they still spend their summers in Northern Ireland, they now attend The Village Chapel in their home city of Nashville where they live with their daughters Eliza, Charlotte, Grace, and a fourth little one on the way!

THE BAND FIONÁN DE BARRA Band Director, Acoustic Guitar, Lute, Celtic Harp Dublin-born, Fionán, started playing guitar professionally with Riverdance in the US in 1999. Since then, as multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, and music director, Fionán has worked with numerous notable artists from Ireland and abroad including, Clannad, Rodrigo y Gabriella, The Chieftains, The Corrs, Solas, Eileen Ivers, Moya Brennan. Now a Philadelphia resident, Fionán is the founding member of the multi-award winning Celtic Roots group “RUNA” with his wife, Shannon Lambert-Ryan.

PATRICK D'ARCY

Uilleann Pipes, Irish Whistles, Mandolin, Bodhrán, Harmonica, World Flutes Patrick D'Arcy hails from Dublin, Ireland and has spent most of his musical life plying his craft in California. The recent release of his debut solo album "Wallop The Spot" has received critical acclaim and radio play both in the US and in Ireland. He has played for some familiar figures including Bono (U2), The Kennedy and Shriver Families, Quincy Jones, Daniel Lanois, Oprah Winfrey, David Foster, Don Was, Jacknife Lee, Neil Diamond, The Rend Collective & Disney.

GARTH JUSTICE Drums, Percussion

Garth Justice is a Nashville-based producer and percussionist. His work can be found on countless projects coming out of Music City including those by Jo Dee Messina, Michael English, Jaci Velasquez, Newsong, Salvador, OneRepublic, and more. Garth and his wife Shelly own and operate a studio called Next Level Productions in Nashville where they’ve made their home for the last 18 years with their son, Trey.

SHANNON LAMBERT-RYAN Staging Director, Background Vocalist, Percussion, Celtic Harp, Bodhrán, Dance

Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, is delighted to return to the Getty’s Christmas tour. A graduate of Muhlenberg College with backgrounds in Celtic, folk, classical, and musical theatre, she studied Music, Theatre, and History. Shannon currently tours as the lead vocalist and manager of the multi-award-winning Celtic Roots band, RUNA, which she founded with her husband and band member, Fionán de Barra in 2008. She was recently nominated by the Irish Music Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year.

MAGGIE WHITE Violin, Mandolin, Dance

Originally from Kentucky, Maggie now resides in Nashville, TN. She has performed multiple times on the Grand Ole Opry and has placed in many prestigious fiddle competitions including the National Old Time Fiddle Competition in Idaho. She attended Belmont University and during her time there was awarded the Presser Scholarship and was also a winner of the Classical Performers Concerto Competition. She has toured with Peter Mayer Group and Vickie Vaughn Band and is currently touring with Keith and Kristyn Getty as well as the Celtic roots group RUNA. She and her husband formed their own group, Zach & Maggie, just this year.

DEBORAH KLEMME Artistic Supervisor, Violin

Deborah Klemme is an accomplished classical violinist who has performed on many of the world’s greatest stages as a soloist, chamber player, and orchestral musician. For the past ten years, she has traveled the world performing, recording, and acting as Artistic Supervisor for Keith and Kristyn Getty. She and her husband, conductor Benjamin Klemme, reside in beautiful Charlotte, Vermont, with their two young sons.

SHELLY JUSTICE

Vocal Director, Background Vocalist Shelly Justice is a background vocalist from Nashville, Tennessee. She has sung on various artist projects such as: Don Henley, One Republic, Cece Winans, Natalie Grant, Jeremy Camp and many others. You can also hear Shelly at various Disney Parks including: Florida, California, Shangai, Tokyo and Paris. Shelly is married to Garth Justice and they have a 12 year old son, Trey.

PETER WAHLERS Bass

Peter Wahlers grew up in St. Louis, MO where he was involved in music from a young age through school, community theater, and local bands. He then moved to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. After graduating, he moved to Nashville to continue being involved in music. He lives there now with his wife, three boys.

ZACH WHITE

Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Banjo, Background Vocalist Zach White is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and performer from St Louis, MO. In 2008, he moved to Nashville, TN where he graduated Belmont University with a degree in commercial music. Zach has been a part time music director for a decade at various churches and is currently the Assistant Director of Worship for The Village Chapel East. He tours regularly with Keith and Kristyn Getty, the Celtic roots band RUNA, and various Nashville based bands. This year he and his wife formed a new group, Zach & Maggie, to explore their own musical ideas. Along with freelancing with many groups he is also a producer and session musician in Nashville.

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CONCERT HALL SERIES

TOUR GUESTS ALISTAIR BEGG Appearing in Cleveland, OH Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. Following graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. Alistair Begg is the speaker on the daily and weekly Bible-teaching program, Truth For Life, which has been distributed since 1992 and is heard by a worldwide audience. He is also the Senior Pastor at Parkside Church outside of Cleveland, Ohio, where he has led the congregation since 1983. The teaching on Truth For Life stems from the week by week Bible teaching at Parkside Church. Following a pattern of teaching directly from the text of the Bible, Alistair’s teaching relies on the Spirit of God to do the work of God through the Word of God. Alistair has written several books. He and his wife Susan have three grown children and four grandchildren.

DAVID CROWDER

Appearing in Atlanta, GA Over the past two decades, David Crowder has transcended the usual boundaries associated with gospel music with lyrically powerful, musically intricate and unpredictable songs that have been sung and played everywhere from churches, to mainstream clubs across the country. Since the 2012 conclusion of his eight-time GMA Award winning and GRAMMY® nominated David Crowder*Band, the ever-evolving singer-songwriter has been on a fresh creative, critical and commercial roll, recording two hit crossover albums and a batch of hit singles under the new moniker ‘Crowder,’ and touring as leader of a new collective. Crowder’s 2014 debut album, NEON STEEPLE, debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200, hit #1 on the Christian & Gospel albums chart, and was named iTunes’ “Christian Album of the Year.” Crowder’s 2016 follow-up album, AMERICAN PRODIGAL, was another instant success, debuting at #1 on the Christian & Gospel Album chart, #3 on the Digital Albums chart, #5 on the Top Albums Billboard chart and #12 on the Top 200 Billboard chart. AMERICAN PRODIGAL, received critical acclaim across the board. Lead single, “Run Devil Run,” a Top 5 hit on the Hot Christian Songs chart, was picked up by NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.” AMERICAN PRODIGAL also scored Top 10 radio hits with the K-LOVE Fan Award nominated “My Victory” and “Forgiven.” As an active member of the Passion Movement founded by Louie Giglio, Crowder participates in the university student gatherings in the U.S., and around the globe, kicking off 2017 at the Georgia Dome with more than 50,000 college students. A published author, Crowder has also penned two books, including his acclaimed “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die” or (The Eschatology of Bluegrass)”, written with Mike Hogan and published by Relevant Books.

DAVID KIM Appearing in Washington DC, Cleveland, OH and New York City, NY Violinist David Kim was named Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1999. Born in Carbondale, Illinois in 1963, he started playing the violin at the age of three, began studies with the famed pedagogue Dorothy DeLay at the age of eight, and later received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School. Mr. Kim appears as soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra each season as well as with numerous orchestras around the world. He also appears internationally at festivals such as Brevard, MasterWorks (USA) and Pacific (Japan). Mr. Kim has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from Eastern University in suburban Philadelphia, the University of Rhode Island, and Dickinson College. Mr. Kim resides in a Philadelphia suburb with his wife Jane and daughters Natalie and Maggie. He is an avid runner, golfer, and outdoorsman.

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FERNANDO ORTEGA

Appearing in Cleveland, OH In the early 1990s, young composer and pianist Fernando Ortega, classically trained and musically complex, entered the Christian music scene. His distinctively earthy sound perplexed and even defied the pop status quo. Descended from eight generations of Mexican weavers, this son of the Rio Grande entwined thoughtful melodies with Celtic, bluegrass, classical and Latin American influences to create something unique and rare. Today, Fernando is one of Christian music’s most respected artists, his works encompassing modern hymns, liturgical songs, and Inspirational and praise & worship favorites. With three Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and a Billboard Latin Music Award to his credit, Fernando’s Christian radio hits include “This Good Day,” “Jesus, King of Angels” and “Sleepless Night.” Renowned for his stirring arrangements of beloved hymns—“Give Me Jesus” and “Be Thou My Vision,” among others— his solo discography features 18 projects in a heralded career spanning more than 25 years. His latest offering, the much-anticipated The Crucifixion of Jesus, follows the same devotional trajectory of 2011’s Come Down O Love Divine, this time centering on the events of Holy Week. “Every aspect of our lives should be measured out by the narrative of Christ’s life,” Fernando says. “Year after year, through the journey of this Holy season, “Christ’s ministry starts again and again.”

JOHN PATITUCCI

Appearing in Washington DC and New York City, NY John has been at the forefront of the jazz world for the last 30+ years and active in all styles of music.

He is a three-time Grammy award winner with 14 total nominations. He has performed and/or recorded with jazz giants such as Dizzy Gillespie, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Stan Getz, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Haynes, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Kenny Garrett, Victor Feldman, Nancy Wilson and countless others. John has also performed and or recorded with pop artists such as John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Joni Mitchell, Bono, Sting, James Taylor and Paul Simon. He has been active as a composer with fourteen solo recordings of his own and has been commissioned to write for various chamber music groups.

He has performed as a soloist with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, the Estonian National Symphony, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Trondheim Symphony of Norway, the St. Louis Symphony and the London Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Patitucci has been involved in education for many years, writing books, making instructional videos and giving master classes around the world. John was formerly the Artistic Director of The Bass Collective, a specialized school in New York and a Professor of Music at The City College of New York from 2002-2012. He is currently Artist in Residence at Berklee College of Music’s Global Jazz Institute and launched his interactive online bass school through ArtistWorks (artistworks.com). The 2016-17 season finds John continuing to tour with the Wayne Shorter Quartet, the Children of the Light Trio, his own group, the John Patitucci Electric Guitar Quartet, and a reunion tour of the Chick Corea Elektric Band.

RICKY SKAGGS Appearing in Atlanta, GA Earning 12 #1 hit singles, 14 GRAMMY® Awards, 11 IBMA Awards, nine ACM Awards, eight CMA Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), two Dove Awards, three honorary Doctorate degrees, a GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame induction, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2013 Artist-In-Residence, an Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in the Instrumentalist category along with countless other awards, Ricky Skaggs is truly a pioneer of Bluegrass and Country music. Since he began playing music more than 50 years ago, Skaggs has released more than 30 albums and has performed thousands of live shows. He started his own record label, Skaggs Family Records, in 1997 and has since released 12 consecutive GRAMMY®-nominated albums. His newest release, Hearts Like Ours, with his wife, celebrated artist Sharon White of The Whites features the couple dueting on handpicked country love songs. And the Grand Ole Opry member has released his first-ever autobiography, "Kentucky Traveler." The book details the life and times of Skaggs and provides a descriptive history of Country and Bluegrass music, as told by the master himself. In addition to his regular touring schedule with his band, Kentucky Thunder, he has recently performed a string of dates with his better half Sharon White along with guitar legend Ry Cooder on the critically-acclaimed "Cooder-White-Skaggs" tour and from time to time continues to hit the road with versatile singer/songwriter and pianist Bruce Hornsby on another critically-acclaimed tour, “Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder.”

JONI EARECKSON TADA

Appearing in New York City, NY Joni Eareckson Tada, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, is an international advocate for people with disabilities. A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson, then 17, a quadriplegic in a wheelchair. After two years of rehabilitation, she emerged with new skill and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations. She founded Joni and Friends in 1979 to provide Christ-centered programs to special-needs families, as well as training to churches. Joni and Friends serves thousands of special-needs families through Family Retreat, and has delivered over 100,000 wheelchairs and Bibles to needy disabled persons in developing nations. Joni survived stage III breast cancer in 2010, yet keeps a very active ministry schedule. Her new daily devotional, A Spectacle of Glory, contains fresh biblical insights from her battle with cancer, and chronic pain. Joni also serves as General Editor of the new Beyond Suffering Bible, a special edition published by Tyndale for those who suffer chronic conditions, and their caregivers. She and her husband, Ken, were married in 1982 and reside in Calabasas, California. You can learn more about Joni’s ministry at www.joniandfriends.org or can write her at response@joniandfriends.org.

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g n i g Sin

AT C H R I S TM AS

BY KRISTYN GETTY

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

LUKE 2:14, NIV

T

he tradition of singing the Christmas story goes back to the first advent. The book of Luke tells part of the narrative through songs of worship. The canticles of Christmas, from Zechariah, Mary, the angels and Simeon have inspired the telling of the story through song ever since.

The word "carol" is derived the French word "carole" which historically was a type of circle dance accompanied by singing. It is no surprise that it is the word we now use for the story hymns we sing at Christmas! It is a joyful community activity of remembering Christ's coming again and passing it on to the next generation.

While most of the carols we sing today come from the 19th century onwards carols like God rest ye Merry gentleman have their roots in the Middle Ages. It's an incredible gift to sing melodies and lyrics that have long graced the streets and halls and village squares and then to continue the tradition of writing new carols.

When we sing at Christmas we join our voices and hearts in a common hope. We warm the chill in the air with the cheer of joy. We reconnect over past memories and build new ones for the future. Through every circumstance, at peace or in war, in sickness or in health, at home or displaced, to the content and to the restless, in abundance or in need the carols make no distinction but invite all to add their voices. For all the while the story of the Savior once born in Bethlehem gathers us in once again to lift our eyes beyond all earthly lights and shadows to see the Light of the World, unchanging, ever shining on the path that leads each one of us to peace.

GOD WITH US, EMMANUEL! 13

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BENE DICTUS LUKE 1:68-79 (NIV)

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Sing the songs of Christmas

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© Biblica. THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.

All rights reserved worldwide.

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M AG NIFICAT LUKE 1:46-55 (NIV)

"And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great thingsfor me— holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.'"

Sing the songs of Christmas

19

© Biblica. THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.

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THE HISTORY of IRISH CHRISTMAS

O

ur first collaboration as a married couple in 2004 was a collection of Christmas songs based around John 1, and every year we’ve tried to write new carols and songs for the church to sing. Irish Christmas has become a wonderful opportunity to share this music as it has evolved and changed over the years.

2010

D e c ember

As with many creative ventures, it begins with a phone call. For Joy—An Irish Christmas (the initial title of this Christmas tour), the call was an invitation from Tom Bledsoe to be part of a special Christmas celebration in 2010 with George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows (with Billy Graham speaking on the first evening). The 30 minutes of music we prepared for that first night was expanded to a fuller evening of music subsequently presented to a number of churches that year.

2011

D e c ember

After a trip to Ireland to record the Joy—An Irish Christmas studio album (called after our first daughter, Eliza Joy), the first official tour kicked off with 18 performances and finished with a sell-out performance at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

2012

D e c ember

The second year of the tour played to more than 30,000 people over 18 performances combining church concerts and numerous concert halls, again finishing at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. In addition, there were two special Grand Ole Opry performances at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

2014 Nove mber/December After taking a year hiatus due to the birth of Charlotte Juliana, the third year of the tour was attended by an estimated 50,000 people at 18 performances. With a combination of box office sell-outs and standing-room-only general admission concerts, the tour premiered in Ontario and was recorded by the BBC. The tour featured a return to the Grand Ole Opry, our sold-out premiere at Carnegie Hall with special guest Ricky Skaggs, and again finishing with a sold out evening at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

2015 Nove mber/December In 2015, Joy—An Irish Christmas was presented in more than 20 cities, to an estimated 60,000 people across North America and in several prestigious concert halls with sold out performances including Carnegie Hall (New York), The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.), Roy Thomson Hall (Toronto), and The Fox Theatre (Atlanta). A live performance was also released on CD and DVD and broadcast across America on Public Television stations during the Christmas season.

2016

D e c e mber

With both a deepening desire to clearly tell the Christmas story and a growing emphasis on carol singing, we developed the second half “lessons and carols” format akin to the traditional service from King’s College, Cambridge. We had four pieces of art commissioned, to represent the four songs of Christmas as told in Luke. We developed the Concert Hall Series with Alistair Begg at each event and new special guests including Heather Headley, David Kim, Blair Linne, Andrew Nemr, and Laura Story, as well as welcome returns from John Patitucci and Ricky Skaggs.

21

TA K E R E S O U R C E S F R O M

Keith & Kristyn Getty H O M E TO YO U R F R I E N D S & FA M I L I E S TO S I N G !

SPECIAL EVENT PRICING FOR CDS AND SONGBOOKS

1 CD O R Songbook: $15 3 F O R $40 (SAVE $5) 5 F O R $50 (SAVE $25) 11 F O R $100 (SAVE $65)

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Sing! Live at the Getty Music Worship Conference

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Join the voices of thousands gathered for the inaugural SIng! conference in Nashville and enjoy some of the most special musical highlights from the event. Led by Keith and Kristyn Getty and a host of special guests including Joni Eareckson Tada; Laura Story; Bob, Jordan, and Devon Kauflin, Matt Boswell, and more!

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Encourage your children and grandchildren to SING!

SING! BOOK

Authors, songwriters, and worship leaders Keith and Kristyn Getty write to church members to remind them why the Church should sing, when the Church should sing, and how the Church should sing.

Joy–An Irish Christmas Live The album of the annual tour that visits Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Fox Theatre and others each year!

GL ORIA IN EX CELSIS DEO LUKE 2:8-14 (NIV)

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"

Sing the songs of Christmas.

23

© Biblica. THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.

All rights reserved worldwide.

In search of peace

By Alistair Begg

O

ur newspapers are filled with all kind s of attempts at peace. Peace between husbands and wives, between fam ily members, between nations, and so on. But peace of heart proves elusive.

No matter how well we do at trying to establish peace with each other, unt il we discover what it is to have pea ce with God , we’re not going to discover the pea ce of God. And, since we are separated from God —since we have declared independen ce and rebelled against our rightful Ruler— this is a peace that can only be brou ght abo ut by the intervention of God himself. We may try to find peace without God in our own way—peace through owning stuff; peace at the bottom of a bottle.

We may try to find peace with God in our own strength—peace through obeying religious rules or through being “goo d people.”

But the truth is that only God can give us peace with himself. That’s why the declaration of the angels on that first Christmas night is so astonishing: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah , the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a bab y wrapped in cloths and lying in a man ger. … Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on eart h peace to those on whom his favor rests ” (Luke 2 v 11-12, 14).

The angels tell us where God’s offe r of peace was made. This is a peace that isn’t found in something. It’s a peace that is found in someone. And it is a pea ce that pursues us, seeks us, comes knockin g on the door of our lives.

But it’s a peace that so many miss out on because they fail to make room for the one who brings it. Remember why Jesu s was lying in a manger in the first place? Why was the God of heaven in a feeding trou gh? Because there was no room any where else. No one had made room for him. He mad e the entire universe. He came into his universe.

And there wasn’t a place for him.

Let’s be honest; in the lives of man y of us, it’s no different. We have no room for him either—not if it makes life in any way uncomfortable for us, not if his pres ence brings any inconvenience to us, not when his actions and words surprise us.

But our response does not change the truth. God has visited this world. He has come as one of us, to bring peace to us by redeeming us from our sins. Will you say to him , “No room?”

Alistair Begg is Senior Pastor at Parkside Church, Cleveland, Ohio, and Bible teacher on Truth For Life, heard around the world on radio and online. His new book, Christmas Playlist: Four Songs that Bring You to the Heart of Christmas, is written specially to give to non-Christian friends or church visitors to explain what the season is truly all about.

Find the Christmas Playlist at the Getty Music merchandise booth or at your local Christian retailer

USE THE POWER OF SONG TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS

“Christmas is a wonderful time to share the gospel with the people you love, and Alistair’s book is a great way to help you do it.”

Keith Getty Music is everywhere at Christmas—charttoppers, carols, children’s tunes... Alistair Begg looks at four songs that were sung at the very first Christmas, which bring readers to the heart of what it’s all about.

Give someone you know a life-changing Christmas present this year.

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NUNC DIMITTIS LUKE 2:25-35 (NIV)

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.'

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.'"

Sing the songs of Christmas

© Biblica. THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.

All rights reserved worldwide.

28

WHY MARTIN LUTHER LOVED CHRISTMAS

C

hristmas is a time for…? Gift giving, right? Martin Luther, the great reformer, thought so. He loved Christmas.

In the sixteenth century, there was already a longstanding German tradition of exchanging gifts on December 6, the Feast day of Saint Nicholas. Yes, there was a real “St. Nick!” St. Nicholas served as the bishop of Myra, in modern day Turkey. He had great wealth and was known for giving gifts, especially giving gifts to children.

The legend of St. Nick spread out from the Mediterranean region and through Europe. The German language version of his name, Saint Nicholas, morphed into Santa Claus. And Santa Claus was, at that time, celebrated on December 6, and he was celebrated by the giving of gifts from parents to children.

Here’s where Martin Luther enters the story. He wanted to move away from the celebration of Saint Nicholas to a celebration of the birth of our Savior. By that time, December 25 had become the recognized day in the church

29

calendar to celebrate the Christ Mass, commemorating the birth of Christ. Martin Luther started the tradition of giving gifts on the Evening of Christ Mass. Luther called it Christmas Eve. Luther wanted these gifts to be given in the name of Christ, not in the name of a saint.

Legend also has it that Luther started the tradition of the Christmas Tree, of bringing a tree in to the home and decorating it as part of the festivities around Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Luther ultimately wanted Christmas to be a celebration of giving centered around the supreme gift of God to us, the gift of His Son. As Luther preached in 1530, “He who lies in the virgin’s lap is our Savior… give thanks to God, who so loved you that he gave you a Savior.”

We celebrate Christmas because God gave us the gift of His Son, and in His Son is the Gift of eternal life, the gift of the gospel. We give gifts because we have been given the greatest gift of all.

from Sartain’s Magazine (ca 1860, engraved by J. Bannister)

WHY MARTIN LUTHER LOVED SINGING

I

t is undeniable. Christmas evokes singing.

Christmas evokes singing because Christmas fundamentally concerns the gift of the child in the manger. And that gift demands our praise. It demands that we sing.

Singing is not only central to Christmas, it is central to our lives as Christians. There is a people group in Africa that has a peculiar way of referring to becoming a Christian.

When they want to become a Christian, they say, “I want to sing.” No matter where we live as Christians we should be people who sing.

Martin Luther also had something to do with this. Prior to Luther, Christians were not singing in church. They were listening to choirs and professional choristers. All the singing was in a language they could not understand.

Luther would change that.

Luther was used by God to bring about necessary and essential theological reform. He returned the Bible to the central place of authority in the life of the church, Sola Scriptura, and he recovered the gospel, that salvation is by grace alone, Sola Gratia, through faith alone, Sola Fide, through the finished work of Christ alone on the cross, Solus Christus.

Luther also reformed every inch of church life, including the liturgy and worship. Luther wrote his first hymn in

1523. It was a more like a folk ballad commemorating the martyrdom of two monks from Belgium. Luther entitled it, “A New Song Shall Here Be Begun.” He would go on to write thirty-eight hymns.

In December of 1523, Luther explained why he wrote hymns: “I am planning, according to the examples of the prophets and ancient fathers, to create vernacular psalms—that is, hymns—for the common folk so that the Word of God remain with the people even through singing.”

The early result of his hymn-writing project was the first German hymnal, published in 1524. It consisted of only eight hymns, four of which were penned by Luther.

Twenty years later there were over 100 hymnals and songbooks circulating in Germany.

Luther said of the church service, “May nothing be done inside this house except that our dear Lord speak to us through His Holy Word, and we in turn respond to Him in prayer and praise.” R. C. Sproul elaborates, “Luther believed that music, second only to Scripture, has the capacity to raise and elevate the soul to the highest form of praise and adoration of God.” "Why Martin Luther Loved..." written by Stephen J. Nichols President, Reformation Bible College Chief Academic Officer, Ligonier Ministries

30

PA R T 1

V I L L A G E F E S T I VA L Traditionally, the village square became a gathering place over Christmastime where carols and other seasonal songs were sung and danced to cheer, warm and inspire local folk as they went busily on their way. This first half is a festival of vocal, instrumental and dance folk music to celebrate this time of year. As we go, we will warm up our voices for the second half!

SONG SELECTIONS FROM AMONG THE FOLLOWING: Sing We Now of Christmas

Carol of the Bells (with Young Tom Ennis Jig)

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (with The Star of Munster)

God So Loved the World O Children Come

Deck the Halls

Silent Night

Consider the Stars

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (with Greengrass Reel)

Sleigh Ride

PA R T 2

VILLAGE CAROL SERVICE Each year King's College, Cambridge conducts their traditional lessons and carols service. It is a simple telling of the Christmas story through Bible readings (lessons) and through carol singing.

Inspired by this service, in the second half we invite you to follow the story through four readings from the Book of Luke—the Benedictus of the High Priest Zechariah, Mary's Magnificat, the Angel's Gloria in Excelsis Deo and Simeon's Nunc Dimittis. These are the songs that carry the story of Christ's coming into the world. These readings will be interspersed with carols for all of us to sing together. Please find the lyrics and sheet music in the next pages.

SONG SELECTIONS FROM AMONG THE FOLLOWING: Once in Royal David’s City

In the Bleak Mid-Winter

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

In Christ Alone

The Rising Sun

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Wexford Carol/Magnificat

Joy to the World (with Miss Eliza’s Reel, Charlotte’s Giggles, Go Gracie, and The Mason’s Apron)

As With Gladness Joy Has Dawned/ Angels We Have Heard on High

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Dec 8–23 & Dec 26–Jan 15* 4:30–9:00 p.m.

Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Two parks. Two unforgettable holiday events.

A spectacular animated program, “Encounter the Wonder,” will be projected onto the side of the 510-foot-long ship at ChristmasTime at the Ark as part of the festivities.

Dec 8–23 & Dec 26–30* 5:00–8:00 p.m.

Explore the breathtaking lights display with friends and family, watch a live nativity, and even more at ChristmasTown at the Museum.

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CreationMuseum.org/christmas

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contending for life from beginning to end

Who would have dreamed or ever foreseen That we could hold God in our hands?

The long night is over and the light of the world has come.

Prepare Him room.

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from

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ABOUT THE ART The images on stage and in this book are enlarged from original linoleum block prints. Linocut printing was first used by a group of early 20th cent German expressionist artists, with well known painters like Picasso and Matisse to follow. Personally, I’ve always loved the character of line in any medium, but linocut challenges me to communicate emotion, narrative, or meaning with an economy of line. One of the unique aspects of this medium is that the artist is removing the line, rather than adding it to a surface. You also must keep in mind the concepts of positive and negative space and reverse imaging because of the printing affect. Transferring a finished drawing to the block and carving it into the linoleum is a series of commitments, there is no forgiveness once the linoleum is carved. In stark contrast to my abstract work, each step is navigated with planned intention. The limitations of the medium are part of its attraction for me—the push and pull of the blade reminds me to remove what is non-essential, and leave only what is necessary, allowing the sparsity to engage the viewer in silent conversation.

FROM THE ARTIST: KIM TH OM A S My work has a wide range. Currently I’m exploring abstract art as my visual language. Removing the limitations of representation, I’m enjoying the philosophical aspect of indirect images, and less direct narrative. My past renderings have included contemplative paintings in subtle tones bringing a sacramental quality to everyday items like bowls, chairs, desks, fish, or dresses. I’ve also done pieces that tell silent stories of encounters at the potluck table, and some earlier work recounted visions of Italian Renaissance inspired images.

Nihonga is a medium I've found to be most welcoming to my own personal instincts and approach in the studio.

While the exacting chemistry of the process satisfies the math major in me, the response to chaos in the actual abstract work satisfies the artist soul in me, and the slow and thoughtful use of resources, the relationship to the surface and the interaction with the materials gives the poet/theologian in me the invitation to think. It's a good fit! The challenge of communicating with the sparseness of line in block prints is another love of mine.

Kim Thomas in her studio creating the linoleum art 49

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