Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.
Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Star of Hope. This song comes from their 1967 Christmas album, Christmas is Always.
Next comes Johnny Cash with his wonderful version of What Child is This. I always find it incredible that the one and only son of God would leave heaven to come to Earth as a human. He never had to do this. He never had to experience pain, hunger, temptation and weariness. He never had to go through the intense torture of the cross but still, he did because he loves us that much. If we were to be honest how many of us would have done the same thing in his place. If we were to be honest, none of us would have.
Now for The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of The Old Rugged Cross. The song itself dates back to 1913 and was written by evangelist, George Bennard. Actually the first verse was written in 1912. It was written while Bennard was a part of a series of revival meetings in Albion, Michigan. He was worried about the complete disregard for the gospel around him and wrote this verse as a repose. Of writing it Bennard said, "I seemed to have a vision ... I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable." The song wouldn't be completed for several months, when he was leading meetings at a local church in Pokagan, Michigan. He played it for Rev. Leroy (the sponsoring pastor) and his wife, Ruby Bostwick, both of whom found themselves moved to tears. It was then incorporated into a service at that church on June 7, 1913. The song has the same effect today as it must have back then.
Now for Gene Autry with his 1959 recording of Santa's Coming in a Whirlybird. Other than Bing Crosby, Gene Autry is one of the singers most associated with Christmas time. His recordings of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Here Comes Santa Claus (which he co-wrote) and Frosty the Snowman helped bring those songs to prominence and make them the Christmas classics they are today. This silly little song may not be as well-known as those others, but it is still a lot of fun.
Afterwards is Cowboy Copas with his 1947 recording of Jingle Bells. This recording was the B-side to Cowboy Copas' version of Irving Berlin's White Christmas.
Now for Charlie Rich with O Holy Night. This hymn was written in 1847. The lyricist for the song was Placide Cappeau. Cappeau was a poet who rarely wrote about Christian subjects, however the local priest asked him to write a poem for Christmas mass. He didn't know what to write so he looked at the story of Jesus' birth in the book of Luke and tried to place himself there. He then asked his friend Adolphe Charles Adams (who had composed over 80 operas) to write some music. This hymn would gain controversy in France, when the church learned of its writers. Cappeau had left the church and joined the socialist party. Adams was not Christian, but rather Jewish. The idea that neither of the writers of a Christian hymn were in fact Christian, upset many church leaders. These church leaders denounced the song and deemed it not fit to sing in a church. Yet despite this the hymn was one of the most popular Christmas songs in France at the time.
Then comes The Chuck Wagon Gang with their 1936 recording of A Beautiful Life.
Afterwards is Elvis Presley with O Little Town of Bethlehem. The lyrics to this hymn were written by Phillips Brooks in 1865. He wrote the words this hymn after taking a group of Sunday school children on a pilgrimage to Bethlehem. The music was written by Louis H. Redner, the church organist. There was originally another verse to this hymn, "Where children pure and happy pray to the blessed Child. Where misery cries out to thee, son of the undefiled; where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door, the dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more." However, Redner objected to the words "son of the undefiled." Brooks briefly changed the line to "son of mother mild" before dropping the verse all together. This hymn appeared on a small leaflet in 1868 and in The Sunday School Hymnal in 1871.This version of the hymn comes from Elvis' 1957 album, Elvis' Christmas Album. This album met with controversy upon its release for the rock and roll versions it had of classic Christmas songs and the contemporary rock and roll Christmas music. This was considered to be disrespectful. However, this song is performed in a rather traditional manner. It is also simply a lovely version of this classic hymn.
Then comes Anne Wilson and Josh Turner with an original song released earlier this year called The Manger.
Today's musical selection ends with Waylon Jennings singing O Come All Ye Faithful. It is unknown who wrote this hymn but it first appeared in a 1751 collection of hymns by John Francis Wade. Some believe that the hymn was actually written by Wade but there is no definitive proof for this.
Now for C.S. Lewis with his essay, What Christmas Means to Me.
Today's movie trailer is for the Roy Rogers film, Bells of Coronado (1950). This is a fast paced and fun western that shows Roy to his best advantage. Roy works here with his frequent co-stars, wife Dale Evans, horse Trigger and sidekick Pat Brady (who not only appeared with him and movies but was a regular on his TV show). Also in this film are Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage, a popular country music group at that time. They appeared in quite a few western movies for Republic Pictures around this time including quite a few with Roy Rogers. The movie was made in Trucolor, a color process used by Republic Pictures that was cheaper than Technicolor but was still quite pleasing. The director of this film was William Whitney, who directed many of the Roy Rogers films of this time. Before working with Roy Rogers, William Whitney had been one of the best directors of movie serials and even directed the beloved Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941), often considered one of the greatest movie serials. This made him very well versed in the type of quick action that these films were known for as well as the knowledge of how to make a good movie on a lower budget. His movies with Roy Rogers were some of the most atmospheric and memorable films he made. These movies also showed Roy moving from his earlier more elaborate outfits to more naturalistic clothes and spent quite a bit of time with Roy's animal co-stars. William Whitney remains one of the favorite directors for acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino, who has shown the ability to talk in depth about William Whitney.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. James 5:13
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15
And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Gensis 15:6
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Josuha 1:9
Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
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