Last night, I watched The Nativity Story (DVD). I love that movie. It’s very well done, the acting is great, and it stays fairly close to the text. 
I also appreciate how they depict Joseph. You can’t help but love the guy. (I paid tribute to Joseph yesterday.)
As with movies of this sort, I lost half my body weight weeping through it. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should.
Now on to Christmas songs.
My all-time favorite Christmas song, hands down, is this one.
(I looked in vain for the original Elvis track of this song, which to me is the best I’ve heard. The one I linked to above is an Elvis impersonator, who does an unbelievable job. But the original is better. If any of you can find the original Elvis track, lemme know.)
And as I do each December, I’m posting my annual favorite spoof Christmas song. (This is a response to all the Santa-Rudolph-Frosty songs. Ha!)
Frank,
This may not hold a candle to the Elvis version you reference, but I wanted to share this performance of O Holy Night. O Holy Night is one of my favorites, and this pretty much just gives me chills:
http://www.godvine.com/David-Phelps-Sings-a-Very-Beautiful-Version-of-O-Holy-Night-895.html
Blessings.
We watch The Nativity every year! Love it!
Frank,
I read your book “Pagan Christianity” which talkes about getting away from the Pagan practices of the Church. What is your opinion about Christmas? It is another tradition that has Pagan roots. My wife and I are trying to figure out how we should approach it with our family.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks
Lex, you will find the answer here: http://www.ptmin.org/answers.htm – you don’t want to neglect to read the sequel as PC is not a stand-alone book. Thx.
I read “Pagan Christianity” and “Reimagining Church” and now I am reading “Jesus Manifesto”. I have enjoyed them all very much. They are very inspiring books, and have given me such fresh new perspectives about church and what it means to be a Christian.
Thank you Frank for the wonderful words and also the hilarious, spoof song. I truly needed that laugh today bro. When I found myself laughing at the song it made me realize something: A single act of a kindness, a humbleness, and a givingness in Christ is really so very simple, just like that moment of laughter.
Thanks Again.
this is really timely Frank. I’m someone who has been beaten up by other Christians and this is so reassuring and comforting. I appreciate the humlity in which you write. have a great christmas.
Appreciate your kind words, Don. You are not alone. A month doesn’t go by where I don’t hear from God’s people who have been beaten up by others. It takes awhile for a religious, self-righteous spirit to drain out of our veins. Sometimes God has to crush us to bits for that to happen and to see ourselves in His light. That tends to cure us from judging others so harshly and putting ourselves on the throne of God. There is only One who is worthy of glory and honor and praise. I am thankful for each day I have to serve Him, in whatever small way I can. So it’s humbling to hear that others are being benefited by what the Lord puts on my heart to share. He alone is worthy. From one beggar to another. Blessings to you also this Christmas!
I watched this movie last year and bought it this year. It is very well done and pays attention to detail. They capture Joseph’s mercy with Mary, Jewish life under Roman rule, the reality of the journey to Bethlehem, the shepherds, and of course Jesus’ birth. I love the part where Joseph is secretly feeding his dinner to their mule so it has strength to carry Mary to Bethlehem.