What is The Redemption of Christmas?

Hello friends!
My name is Stewart Campbell and welcome to my Christmas music blog! I’ve had this idea for a few years and have never made the time to sit down and get organized and actually do it. The years are quickly passing, and I’m realizing life is getting busier…so in an effort to stop procrastinating I am bringing it to fruition.

Before I get started, I have to publicly thank my wife for letting me do this. She has already given up so many hours with me so that I can prepare, study, listen and write this blog. She's my editor and does a fantastic job! We both have already learned so much about Christ while working on this blog and we can't wait to see it unfold.

Starting December 1, 2014, I will post one Christmas song a day until Christmas Day (in random order). I’ve purposely chosen songs that I believe capture the true meaning of Christmas. I have carefully chosen my top 25 favorite Christmas songs. For the exception of a few songs, they all teach doctrine or try to capture the essence of the miracle of Christ’s birth.

Seven reasons I am creating this Christmas music blog:

1. Christmas is so much more than lights, presents, trees, Santa Claus and the elf on the shelf. Although Christ’s birth is the focal point, Christmas is NOT just about His birth. It’s about His mission. What He came to do. What He did. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17). Jesus suffered and died on the cross for the sins of the world. In return, He gave us all the gift of repentance, forgiveness and the resurrection. When we repent of our sins, Christ forgives us and takes our sins and burdens upon Him, thus making us clean again. Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, taught that “this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Ne 31:21). By following this path one washes one’s garments in Christ’s blood and will stand “spotless” before Him at the last day and inherit eternal life (3 Ne 27:16-20). I understand that Christmas is about Christ’s birth but I think the redemptive mission of Christ could be greater emphasized in the world today. Hence the blog name: The Redemption of Christmas.
2. There is a LOT of quality Christmas music. So many composers and arrangers have put together some really personal, deep, creative and interesting arrangements—all designed to capture the essence of the miracle of Christ’s birth. No wonder so many people start listening to Christmas music earlier and earlier every year!
3. As I unveil my top 25 Christmas songs, you will notice that I heavily favor choral music. Choral music is BY FAR my favorite type of music. “The human voice is a part of the body, and thus cannot easily be used in isolation from human feeling or the heart. On the other hand, musical instruments, no matter how much of an extension of the body they may feel to the player, are indeed just that: extensions of the body.” Since choral music is made with human voices, the feelings and hearts cannot be separated from the music. In the songs I will post you can feel the emotions of the singers.
4. I’m creating this Christmas music blog because I want to lead more people to Jesus Christ. He loves us. Every person on earth is a child of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is our Savior and Redeemer. His birth, life, death and resurrection were all part of God’s plan to save us from physical and spiritual sin.
5. I want to #sharegoodness
6. I want to share my love of music. I love the way I feel when I hear good music. I love when I listen to music and it deepens my understanding of the lyrics. I love the way life is explained through music. I love how both children and adults can be taught through music. I love how music transcends all boundaries of communication.
7. The last reason for creating this Christmas music blog is because I want to share my testimony of Christ. I believe Jesus Christ to be my Redeemer and Savior. I believe His mission to come to earth and die for our sins was foreordained before this life. I believe the Christmas story. I believe Christ was born to the virgin, Mary. I believe every part of her story: angel, spirit, leaping. I know it is true because God has told me so.

I hope you will enjoy my music selection. The most effective way to capture the essence of Christ’s life through this blog is to read the lyrics as you listen. Please feel free to post comments on this blog. I want your insight to the music and lyrics. It is my hope that you will come to better know Christ, His love, and His mission. If you are interested in learning more about Jesus Christ, representatives from my church would be happy to come visit you anywhere in the world. A lot of us are looking for ways to make Christ a central part of the Christmas season, and I hope this blog helps in your Redemption of Christmas.

Stew