Dear Viewer,

We at DIRECTV are so pleased that you’ve chosen to make us a part of your special holiday season. “Songs of Praise for Christmas” will instill the true celebratory spirit of Christmas by telling the story through a series of powerful musical ensembles. Hosts Amy Grant and Darrell Waltrip, along with some very special guests, will share their personal Christmas memories, musical tributes, and biblical messages.

To make this a truly personal experience for you, we’re providing this interactive viewing guide to give you an opportunity to reflect upon your own Christmas memories and feelings evoked by this musical experience. You’ll find searching questions, writing prompts, and space for recording remembrances of Christmases past.

We hope that this guide, partnered with the “Songs of Praise for Christmas” presentation, will help to deepen the true meaning of the season, drawing attention away from the hustle and back into the heart of Christmas.

Enjoy this powerful music experience and have a blessed holiday season!

David HillPresident of Entertainment

All Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version.

Study Guide Produced by: Propeller ConsultingDesigned by: Birdsong Creative, Troy BirdsongWritten by: Amy Parker

Before we begin this musical journey, take a moment to get cozy and set your mind at ease. The season we’re now in is so much more than a hectic blur of gifts and gatherings. Enjoying time with those we love is important, and equally important is remem-bering the reason that brings us together with them. So, make the most of this Christmas presentation by taking an opportunity to rest, reminisce, and revere in this most glorious of holiday seasons.

“Glory to God in the Highest!” “Glory to God” is the perfect sentiment with which to begin the holiday season and this story of the first Christmas. From the Thanksgiving season, when we count our blessings, to the Christmas season, when we remember the birth of Christ, we especially take this time to send up praises and glory to God.

What glorious things has God given to you?

1. 4. 2. 5.

3. 6.

And that’s just getting started! Take a moment now to give “Glory to God in the Highest” for the many blessings He’s given to you.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory, the glory as

of the only begotten of the Father,) full of

grace and truth. —John 1:14

“ O Come, O Come, Emmanuel ” In the lyrics of this song, you can feel the desperation of the writer. The words cry out against captivity and “Satan’s tyranny.” Imagine a life void of hope for an oppressed people without the promise of a Savior to offer a better life, an eternal life.

Today, we are fortunate enough to have never known a world without that Savior. But people all over the world—even at this very moment—still experience the same oppres-sive captivity and tyranny.

Think about it for a moment. Do you know someone who may be oppressed:

Within your family?

Within your community?

Within your state?

Within your country?

In another country?

Say a special prayer for those listed above, perhaps asking that Emmanuel come into their lives, bringing light to their darkness.

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“ Love Came Down at Christmas”Every year, Christmastime brings with it a warmth and love shared among all who celebrate its meaning. When “Love Came Down at Christmas,” it was such a power-ful love that—even after two thousand years—it can still be felt by those who embrace Christ’s coming. You can feel it now, in the room you’re in, with Christmas songs reverberating around you and those gathered with you.

But what about those who aren’t with you? What about those who have never had the warmth of Christmas to carry them through the cold winter months? Below is a list of ways to share the love of Christmas with others. Check any of the items you would be able to do.

q Volunteer time at a homeless shelter. q Give food to a food pantry. q Spend time with the elderly. q Distribute Christmas stockings to children in the hospital. q Donate to an international relief fund. q Invite someone to your church’s holiday program. q Other ideas:

Make a personal commitment to carry out one of these tasks this holiday season . . . and maybe even through-out the year.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son

is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God, The everlasting

Father, The Prince of Peace.

—Isaiah 9:6

“ In Bethlehem Tonight”It’s hard to imagine a night as silent and holy as it must have been in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. There was probably a peculiar stillness, like the hush of silence that falls over an audience just before the curtain opens. The stars were probably brighter than ever before . . . or ever since. Maybe the night wind sang a sweet lullaby for the newborn King.

Imagine for a moment you were there, in Bethlehem that night, just around the corner from that lowly stable where the King of kngs first came to live among us.

What would you have seen?

What would you have heard?

What would you have felt?

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“ Joy to the World/Better Than Life”

How many times have you sung “Joy to the World”? This hymn has been around for almost three hundred years and has been sung countless times to express the joy of the Christmas. But when you sing it, do you really consider its message? Take some time to read the lyrics and then rewrite them in your own words.

And she broughtforth her firstbornson, and wrappedhim in swaddling

clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room

for them in the inn. —Luke 2:7

“ For Unto Us a Child Is Born”“Wonderful.” “Counselor.” “Mighty God.” “Prince of Peace.” You would expect nothing less than royal treatment for someone addressed so majestically, right? Yet, God had a different plan.

What words or phrases from Luke 2:7 reveal the humble conditions of the arrival of the Son of God?

Why do you think God chose to introduce His Son in this manner? (Check all that apply.)

q To hide Jesus from the world q To make the Son of God seem more accessible to all people q To emphasize the humanity of Christ q To make the world reconsider the idea of “king” q Other thoughts:

Traditional Lyrics1) Joy to the world, the Lord is come2) Let earth receive her King;3) Let every heart prepare Him room,4) And heaven and nature sing,5) And heaven and nature sing,6) And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Your Own Lyrics

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

—Luke 2:8, 10-11

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“ O, Holy Night”Many songs have been written about that holy night when Christ came to live among us, but few are as powerful as “O, Holy Night.” It tells of the world’s struggle with sin, and the “thrill of hope” sparked by the redemption promised in the Savior’s birth. “Fall on your knees,” it commands. “O, hear the angel voices.” It’s as if you’re there in the amazing glory of that holy night.

What line or phrase from this song do you find most powerful?

Why do you think that particular phrase strikes you the most?

And suddenlythere was with the angel a multitude

of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to

God in the highest, and on earth peace,

good will toward men.

—Luke 2:13-14

“ Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” and “Angels from the Realms”The angels play a pretty big role in the story of the first Christmas. They’re right there at the highest point of the story, proclaiming Christ’s birth over the world. Can you imagine looking into the sky and seeing a multitude of brilliant beings filling the sky with song?

There are many works of art that try to convey an angel’s physical image, but how do you believe they look? Do they have halos and wings? Are they still dressed in togas, or do they wear jeans to keep up with the times? Whether you’re an artist or not, take a moment to sketch the image that comes to mind when you think of an angel.

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“ O, Come All Ye Faithful ”The original text to “O Come All Ye Faithful” was written in Latin. Below is the text to both the original Latin and the English translation, but the Latin lines are out of order. See if you can match the lines of Latin text with the correct line of the English translation.

ENGLISH

1. O come, all ye faithful,2. Joyful and triumphant,3. O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;4. Come and behold him, born the King of angels:5. O come, let us adore him, o come, let us adore him, 6. O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

LATIN (Insert number of matching stanza)

Venite, venite in Bethlehem; Adeste fideles, Venite adoremus, venite adoremus, Venite adoremus, Dominum. Laeti triumphantes; Natum videte Regem angelorum.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to the

word: For mine eyes have seen thy

salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of

all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy

people Israel. —Luke 2:29-32

“ Sing a Song of Christmas”If someone asked you to “sing a song of Christmas,” you’d have thousands to choose from and could probably recite many from memory. But how much do you really know about those carols you know by heart? Let’s see. . . .

1. A Christmas carol is also called: a. a venite b. a noël c. a novella d. all of the above

2. True or false: It is believed that the term “carol” was coined after a little girl named Carol went missing around Christmastime.

3. Which of the following is not considered a Christmas carol, by definition? a. “O, Come All Ye Faithful” b. “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” c. “White Christmas” d. “Angels from the Realms of Glory”

Lyrics from www.cyberhymnal.org

Answers: 3, 1, 5, 6, 2, 4 Answers: 1:b, 2:True, 3:c (Based on information from www.wikipedia.com)

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“ Welcome to Our World ”“Welcome to Our World” subtly reminds us of what the future holds for the Baby born on the first Christmas. Al-though this song is appropriately sung in celebration of Christmas, it also foreshadows the events of Easter.

As you listen to the words, jot down those phrases that speak specifically of Christ’s birth and those that speak of His death and resurrection under the appropriate columns below.

Christmas

Easter

Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

saying, Where is he that is born King of

the Jews? For we have seen his star in the

east, and have come to worship him.

—Matthew 2:10-11

“ High and Lifted Up ”“Your name is high and lifted up,” the lyrics declare. Jesus has been praised with many names in Scripture and song.

Below are a few that you may have heard. See if you can unscramble them.

m e l E m a n u s o l u n e C o r d o n f e l r u W c i P r e n f o e e P a c

Answers: Emmanuel, Counselor, Wonderful, Prince of Peace

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“ Silver Bells”“Busy sidewalks,” “the bustle,” “shoppers rush[ing]”—it’s a pretty accurate illustration of the Christmas season! But above it all, you hear those “silver bells,” reminding us it will soon be Christmas Day.

“Silver Bells” would have had a much different tone if the writers had used the original title. Which of the following do you think it was:

a. Brassy Bells b. Tinkle Bells c. Golden Bells d. Jingle Bells

When they saw the star, they rejoiced

with exceeding great joy . . . . They saw the young child . . . and fell down and

worshipped him: and when they

had opened their treasures, they

presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

—Matthew 2:10-11

Answers: b. Tinkle Bells (Based on information from www.upenn.edu)

“ Sing We Now of Christmas”This time of year, everyone and everything seems to be sing-ing of Christmas—church presentations, songs on the radio, toy commercials . . . even television music specials!

If you had to choose one favorite Christmas song, what would it be?

What is it about that song that makes it your favorite?

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“Carol of the Bells”As you’ll hear, “Carol of the Bells” is based on the legend of bells ringing around the world the night Jesus was born. Similarly, the creation of the song itself was also an international event. The music was written in the Ukraine, in the former Soviet Union, and the words were written halfway around the world by a man in New Jersey!

Take a look at the different Christmas greetings be-low. Can you match each of them with the language in which each is spoken?

Thai Joyeux Noel Serbian Merry Keshmish Korean Sung Tan Chuk Ha French Feliz Navidad Navajo Sawadee Pee Mai Italian Hristos se rodi Spanish Buone Feste Natalizie

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing

forth the honour of his name: make his

praise glorious. —Psalm 66:1-2

“ Joy to the World ”Now that you’re filled with the joy of Christmas, take a few moments to recall your most joyous Christmas memory. Whether it happened years ago or just yesterday, try to remember every detail of the moment, recording any sounds, smells, or feelings present at that time.

Share this memory with those around you, maybe even thanking those who provided such a memorable occasion. And be sure to always carry that joy with you throughout this and the many Christmas seasons to come.

Answers: Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai, Serbian: Hristos se rodi, Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha, French:

Joyeux Noel, Navajo: Merry Keshmish, Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie, Spanish: Feliz Navidad.

(Translations from www.santas.net)

As this Christmas presentation comes to a close,we thank you for allowing us into your homes to share our own Christmas wishes. We hope that this is only

the beginning of another glorious, joy-filled Christmas season for you and your loved ones. We wish you all a

very safe and happy holiday season.

Merry Christmas! DIRECTV

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