1. St. Matthew Handbells - “He is Born” (French carol arranged by Arnold B. Sherman)
This is an exciting Christmas carol about Jesus coming as God’s Christmas Gift to all people. For many, many years, people waited for Jesus’ coming. This song celebrates the arrival of Jesus on Christmas!
2. St. Matthew International Women’s Chorus – “Winter Wonderland” (Music by Felix Bernard & Words by Richard B Smith) with special guest, Katherine Farnham. “Glorious is Thy Name” (Words and Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Baylus Benjamin McKinney, Arranged by Tom Fettke)
“Winter Wonderland” has been recorded by over 150 different artists. Richard Smith, a native of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, wrote the lyrics while inspired by the snow –covered Honesdale’s Central Park while he was treated for tuberculosis in the West Mountain Sanitarium. Due to its seasonal theme, “Winter Wonderland” is often regarded as a Christmas song.
“Glorious is Thy Name” includes two different tunes with same title “Glorious Is Thy Name”. The first one is a song from Mozart’s “The Great Mass in C minor” which was composed in 1782-83. The second one was written by B.B. McKinney, a Baptist pastor and music editor, in 1942. God’s name is glorified for He is Love, Light, Mighty, Righteous, the Savior, and the Lord.
3. International Friends Preschool Story Time and Moms & Tots Classes – “Let’s Dress Up for Christmas,” “Mary Had a Baby Boy,” “Twinkle, Twinkle, Twink” (By Cathy Skogen-Soldner)
These songs are about the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas. They are performed by some of the children in our classes, wearing their sheep and angel costumes.
4. The Christmas Story Drama – with special guest, Katherine Farnham singing “Mary Did You Know?” (By Mark Lowry & Buddy Greene)
We would like to tell you the Christmas story in a different way. We will hear about Christmas from “Grandma”. She has a special way to share with her granddaughters, Erika and Hana, about what Christmas really means. This Christmas story has meaning for us today, too. Please enjoy hearing about Jesus’ birth!
The Christmas Story – Part 1
It’s Christmas Eve, and Erika and Hana are excited that their mother, Keiko, has allowed them to open one gift. They rush to open the biggest and most beautiful gift which is from Grandma. However, when they open it, they get something they didn’t expect...
5. The Christmas Story – Part 2 – with Thomas Czinder & Darcy Jeneary performing “You Gave Your Life Away” (By Paul Baloche)
Grandma tells Erika and Hana what the words mean in their gifts. She also tells them why she chose those words. They are words that explain what Jesus did for us at Christmas and also later at Easter.
The song “You Gave Your Life Away” tells about God’s plan to send His Son, Jesus, as the Savior for all people. The song takes us through the life of Jesus from his birth at Christmas to his death and resurrection at Easter. It shows us how much God loves us!
6. The Christmas Story – Part 3 with special guest Katherine Farnham singing “Love’s Gift” (Words & Music by Katherine Farnham)
Because Erika and Hana now know what Jesus did for them, they think of some ways to show Jesus’ love toThe song “Love’s Gift” was written just for our event by Katherine Farnham. This song beautifully summarizes the Christmas message that Jesus really is the best Christmas gift for everyone.
7. Candle lighting with “Silent Night” (By Franz Gruber and Josef Mohr) and St. Matthew Handbells performing “Silent Night” (By Franz Gruber, arranged by Barbara Baltzer Kinyon)
This is a song about the night Jesus was born. The quiet, calm night Jesus came was a special time. God had come to earth.