Luke Chapter 2:15-20 " When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.  When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.   And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.  The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them."
In our first 'chapter', that is, "Happy Birthday Jesus, Part One," I shared about the context of praise, from my own perspective.

However, for me, there is a far greater impact in recognition of the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  The implications of the time not only defied the concepts of the religious leadership of the time, but has continued to confound the mindset of those who wish to somehow stifle, control, or encapsulate Christ into a singular purpose, event or timeframe.  A King, borne into lowly circumstance in a small town and whom also grew up in an even smaller town; a mere speck on the map, even for His comtemporaries.  His circumstances were commonplace, and yet He is royalty.

Just as His birth was announced by Angels from Heaven, His birth was attended by the lowing of cattle, oxen, and other domesticated animals and their accompanying smells.  And shepherds.  Shepherds, charged with watching over their flocks, would only abandon their posts in cases of emergency, but in this case, the Glory given by Heaven to this newborn King of Kings became the emergency; the must-see, must-know, must-experience event of a lifetime.  No hashtag or 'trending' event could surpass the Glory and Majesty that resided not in pomp and circumstance, but within His own being.

This edition of Gospel Music Roundup is all Christmas.  Songs that raise the praise for the birth of our savior.  You won't hear too much of me, so just enjoy the music and share it with your family and friends.  Download the entire program to CD or to your iPhone, iPad, MP3-Player, Android, whatever- there are more options for listening, now than ever; He truly breaks down the barrier!