Happy Christmas!

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” ~Elf

Hello friends!

Happy Christmas Eve to all!

Erik and I are in Ohio to celebrate Christmas with family. It’s the first time in at least a year we were able to travel without instruments, equipment, or CD boxes!

‘Tis the season to be merry and to remember our faith—Christ, the prince of peace, came into the world to bring us life and light and to show us the way to peace. Such a simple story yet so needed in our time.

How do we believe when there is chaos all around us? How can we hold to our faith when our circumstances pull us in the complete opposite direction of peace?

Faith is seeing what is not there and believing that someday it will be. Remember the words of the apostle, “the things that we see are temporary?” A person who has faith believes and trusts in the goodness of God (because He is eternal) in spite of circumstances, not because of them. Cliché? Maybe, but it’s the truth. I know of more than one person who has proven to me that faith is possible, even in the worst of times.

Hebrews 11 describes the heroes of the faith as people who trusted God in spite of their difficulties. They “did not receive what was promised” but they were not shaken. They knew they were only a small part of a bigger picture, and that one day, in God’s time, everything would be “right” again. These men and women were looking for a “city with foundations” a “heavenly city, whose builder and maker is God.” Their hope was in God himself, not in what God might do for them. I know some modern day heroes of faith who have the same attitude. Their lives and examples of faith have taught me that faith does not necessarily mean believing things will ever change on this side of eternity¬—some things can’t and won’t be fixed here. Like the heroes of old, their hope is in God himself. He is their peace and joy and confidence.

The song we will be releasing (and planned to release BEFORE Christmas day—so sorry!) is a simple version of O Come O Come Emmanuel. I chose this particular tune this year because of the message. In a divided, war-torn world that is constantly experiencing social and economic crises, hope is needed. The hope of the nations is peace.

“O come, Desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.”

We’ll have this tune available to you as soon as possible. Due to my sound engineer traveling across the country several times this month and Erik having an extremely busy schedule as well (he was finally able record the violin tracks the day we headed up to Ohio), the final mix is still not finished. Boo! But it will be SOON.

I hope and pray you all have a wonderful Christmas. May Jesus fill your hearts with hope!

Tidings of comfort and joy!

Stephanie

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, eternal Father, prince of peace.” Isaiah 9:6