Video Link: One More Sleep 'til Christmas (From The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992))

Cowboy Church #248 - Christmas Eve Service.

 Hello, my friends and welcome to a special Christmas Eve service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers with a medley of Sleigh Ride and Jingle Bells. This comes from Roy and his wife Dale Evans' 1967 Christmas album, Christmas is Always. 

This is followed by Johnny Cash with The Gifts They Gave. This song was written by John himself and first appeared in his 1963 Christmas album, The Christmas Spirit. 

Afterwards comes everyone's favorite cowboy/hippie Willie Nelson with It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. The song was written by Edmund H. Sears. This hymn first appeared in Boston's Christian Register, on December 29, 1849 (yes after Christmas). That version has a verse that does not appear in this version, "But with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not the love-song, which they bring: O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing!" This verse reflects the state if America at the time this song was written. The Civil War was approaching, and Sears found himself concerned with the division in our country. Unlike many Christmas songs, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear is not a song about peace on Earth but rather a plea for it. With the division and anger that is so prevalent today, this is a perfect Christmas song for our time. This song has been put to different tunes over the years and the two most prevalent are Carol (by Richard Storis Willis in 1850) and Noel (by Sir Arthur Sullivan in 1878). Carol is the preferred version of this song in the U.S. and is the one Willie performs here. The tune had been used for other lyrics dating back to when it was written in 1850, and was first used to accompany, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear in 1878. Willie's version comes from his 1997 Christmas album, Christmas with Willie Nelson.

Then comes Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with The Little Boy Who Couldn't Find Christmas. This is the A-Side of a 1954 Little Golden Record. The B-Side would be The Story of Christmas. 

Next is Martha Mears and The Sons of the Pioneers with a 1944 radio performance of Jingle Bells. James Lord Pierpont wrote this song in 1857. Despite being known as a Christmas song today, it was originally written with a different holiday in mind. Under its original title, One Horse Open Sleigh this song was written to be used in a Thanksgiving service at a Church where Pierpont was the organist. The song was so well received that it played again at the Church on Christmas day. For a song written to be performed at a Church, the original lyrics were racier than one would think and would be changed so that children's church choirs can perform the song.

Afterwards is Waylon Jennings with O Come All Ye Faithful. This hymn was originally written by John Francis Wade, who wrote the song in Latin under the name Adeste Fiedeles. Much later Frederick Oakley and William Brooke credited an English translation of this hymn. Instead of just directly translating the hymn, they also added some new stanzas. This version of the hymn first appeared in 1841 in FH Murray's Hymnal for Use in the English Church.

This is followed by Merle Haggard with Santa Claus and Popcorn. This song (written by Merle himself) comes from Merle's 1973 album, Hag's Christmas. It is important to remember with all the ways we celebrate Christmas, that this holiday is all about Jesus and all these ways we celebrate are there to pay tribute to him, including Santa Claus and Popcorn.  

Just in time for Christmas Eve, next is Gene Autry and Rosemary Clooney with The Night Before Christmas Song.  

Then comes Tex Ritter with his 1945 recording of Christmas Carols by the Old Coral.

Next is Randy Travis with God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. The origins of this hymn remain unknown. However, it must date back to at least the 1800's as it is sung outside Ebenezer Scrooge's office in Charles Dickens'  A Christmas Carol (1843). The Oxford Book of Carols (London, 1928) gives two different tunes to these lyrics. The first is known as the "Cornish" version and is rarely heard today. The second is known as the "London" version and is the one we most often hear today. The London version is believed to have first been first published in A Little Book of Christmas Carols, with Ancient Melodies to which they are Sung in Various Parts of the Country (1846). That this was published in 1846 makes many music and literary scholars believe that the Cornish version is the one that Ebenezer Scrooge probably heard.   

Today's musical selection ends with The Charlie Daniels Band with Jesus is the Light of the World. This comes from their 1980 album, Christmas Time Down South  

Now for a special Christmas episode of Roy Rogers' radio show.

Now for a Christmas message from the Reverand Billy Graham. 

Matthew 1:18-2:23

The Birth of Jesus Christ

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

    and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

The Visit of the Wise Men

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Flight to Egypt

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Herod Kills the Children

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,

    weeping and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

    she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

The Return to Nazareth

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Thanks for joining me come back Sunday for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Video Link: HOLIDAY TIME AT DISNEYLAND (1962)

Movie Review: Eternity

 

Michael’s Movie Grade: B

An effective romantic fantasy. 

This movie has a simply wonderful premise. Once you die, you can spend eternity with anyone you want in any place you want, the only catch is that you are stuck there forever. This causes much distress when a woman dies and is reunited with both her dead husbands and must decide who she wants to spend eternity with. Everything about this premise is already engaging and the film mostly lives up to what it promises. Both of the romantic relationships are very heartfelt. In this era of phoned in Hallmark style romances, it is rare to find a romantic movie that actually feels romantic. Yet this film truly is romantic. I was surprised to have it actually pull on my heart strings as many of the scenes are genuinely moving. This movie also lives up to the fantasy part of the premise as well. This world is completely absorbing and because the rules are well established completely believable. 

What really brings this movie down however is the constant quirky comedy. The problem is the comedy is never really that funny. Most of the comedic moments fall completely flat and some are even painful. Despite the constant comedy I maybe chuckled twice and I never laughed out loud. The film also has real problems with its pacing and could have used a lot of editing.

Despite its flaws though this is a genuinely moving film. 

-Michael J. Ruhland 

Movie Trailer: The Odyssey

Video Link: "The Walt Disney Christmas Show" (1951) Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson

Movie Review: David

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

An excellent animated film.

This film follows the life of the Biblical David from childhood to when he became king and serves as a follow-up to the animated streaming series, Young David. The movie is even co-directed by that series' creator Phil Cunningham. However, you do not have to either have seen that series nor be familiar with the Bible stories to enjoy this film. The movie sets up everything we need to know very quickly making it perfectly accessible to everyone. Yet Christians who know their Bible stories, who let's be honest make up about 90% of the film's audience, will be delighted that this movie follows the Bible very closely. This is just what will make it work for non-Christians as well. These tales have endured and inspired for centuries because they are still powerful and effective today. That this film stays close to the source material helps give it much of that power as well. The movie's emotional moments hit hard, and its joyful moments make you cheer. 

For an animated feature not made by a major animation studio, it is amazing how good it looks. There is none of that cheap and off-putting look that has hurt so many well-written but low budget animated films. It may not fully reach the height of Disney or DreamWorks in this department, but it still looks very professionally made. 

As this movie is about the writer of many of the Psalms, it is no surprise that music plays a major role. The songs, written by Jonas Myrin (who has co-written hit Christian songs with such popular Christian artists as Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman), are quite good with pleasant melodies and effective lyrics. They may not be especially memorable, but they do their job very well. Having award winning Christian singers Phil Wickham (who voices David as an adult) and Lauren Daigle in the voice cast, as well as Israeli pop singer Miri Mesika, helps elevate that music in this film. 

This movie does have its flaws though. The side characters (especially David's siblings) are not very well developed and come off as crude and unfunny movie stereotypes rather than actual characters. Speaking of unfunny, this movie has too much really forced humor that just doesn't work. 

Despite these flaws though, this is an excellent film that I hope points towards what lies in the future for animated Biblical stories.