Beautiful Messaging of Christmas Commercials

William Werner Christmas Video December 5, 2016December 4, 2016Christmas commercials 0 Comment

What makes Christmas commercials so different than other commercials we see on television? It is like the fact they tell stories that inspire and leave the selling to mere suggestion. Once upon a time American marketers were great storytellers. The commercials of Christmas past brought us things like the Coke truck and images of snowy Americana. Those traditions have been revived and are celebrated internationally now. Case in point is this great ad, shot entirely in English, from Poland, which tells the story of one devoted grandfather learning English to spread a message of love in a funny and touching story beautifully shot: This commercial showcases the best of Christmas values. Show does this one: Some commercials are so wellRead more

This Christmas and Jingle Bells Mashup by Anthem Lights

Jeff Westover Christmas Music, Christmas Video November 25, 2016Anthem Lights 0 Comment

Something old and something new…ish. The video below by Anthem Lights is a mashup of Jingle Bells (old) and This Christmas (newish). Surprisingly, it’s a good fit with this talented arrangement: Anthem Lights is a Christian pop group based in Nashville, Tennessee. They were formed in 2011, the year their first EP topped out at #42 on the charts. Anthem Lights can trace its roots back to the fall of 2007, when singer/songwriter Alan Powell joined forces with then aspiring solo artist Chad Graham. Both were living in Los Angeles at the time, to pen songs for Chad’s solo effort. But providentially, the more they wrote, the more it became clear that these powerful, harmonic songs were meant for aRead more

Songs of Praise as Christmas Music

Jeff Westover Christmas Music, Christmas Video November 25, 2016Amazing Grace, Peter Hollens 2 Comments

In the most recent episode of the Merry Podcast we discuss a trend in Christmas music that sees traditional songs of praise released on Christmas albums. Here is a great example of that in the latest video from Peter Hollens and his new Christmas album titled A Hollens Family Christmas features Amazing Grace with the vocal band Home Free: Peter’s new album is OUTSTANDING. But his inclusion of Amazing Grace on a Christmas album is important and interesting. Most ancient Christmas carols are songs of praise. Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful and even Away in a Manger are examples of such songs. That is because the traditions of Christmas past anciently centered on telling the storyRead more

The Best Christmas Carol You Have Never Heard

Jeff Westover Christmas Music, Christmas Video November 25, 2016November 24, 2016Christmas carol, new Christmas music 2016 1 Comment

Some Christmas carols are so old it is hard to tell which is older — the lyrics or the tune. Below is a carol thought to be one of the oldest Christmas tunes ever. Few today know it well and it is presented here as something new and fresh to Christmas music fans. 500 years ago tunes were performed publicly only occasionally and, of course, there was no radio or television to play things over and over. Songs then were re-purposed for a variety of uses. The song What Child is This? is perhaps the most well known Christmas song that also reflects a different purpose for the tune in Greensleeves. The tune for the song below is so oldRead more

Kenzie Nimmo Releases Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

B. Francis Morlan Christmas Music, Christmas Video November 24, 2016November 24, 2016kenzie nimmo, new Christmas music 2016 0 Comment

Kenzie Nimmo kicks off the rush of new Christmas music videos with this minimal and stirring version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Take a listen: Singer-songwriter Kenzie Nimmo is well known for her cover songs which she posts to her enormously popular Vine account and highly subscribed YouTube channel as well. She released her viral video, “Cool Kids,” when she had only 1,900 followers. She grew up participating in musical theater and many other musical activities. She went to school for music at BYU where she met Harris Heller, another music student with whom she started working on originals and YouTube videos. A year and a half later, they got married and started a music business together. PleaseRead more

Go Tell It on the Mountain Played with Hands and Feet

Jeff Westover Christmas Music, Christmas Video August 30, 2016Go Tell It on the Mountain 0 Comment

Go Tell It on the Mountain may not be the most well known or popular Christmas song of all time. But this rendition not only brought down the house it continues to be a marvel to those who have seen it over and over. The song itself actually dates back to 1865 and it’s considered a Christmas song because it references the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It has been recorded by multiple artists over the decades in a variety of styles — but none are quite like this rendition. Most songs have to be heard. But Mormon Tabernacle Choir organist Richard Elliott has to be seen while performing this classic spiritual. He usually takes a part in the Choir’s annualRead more

Going Home for Christmas

Jeff Westover Christmas Music, Christmas Video August 20, 2016Home Free, I'll Be Home for Christmas 0 Comment

Have you ever spent a Christmas away from home? Sooner or later we all do. It is an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But at the same time I consider it one of those crucial life experiences. A Christmas away gives the gift of gratitude. It centers you on what is really important at Christmas. Once upon a time I was a young man. My life and its adventures took me away from home at Christmas. And I can recall well the feelings of isolation, of time lost and wasted in solitude on Christmas. And just as true I can remember a hero’s welcome when I later returned. I can recall the tears and the sense that I hadRead more

Drive Thru Christmas Caroling

Jeff Westover Christmas Features, Christmas Video December 11, 2015Drive thru Christmas caroling 0 Comment

Here’s a fun video that is actually getting a little criticism online because the music appears to be dubbed over the action. But is that the point? The music is fun, the idea is fun and the reactions look spontaneous enough to us. Lighten up, it’s Christmas. Here’s the premise — pull up to your fav fast food joint and start Christmas caroling after you’ve ordered. What’s so hard about that? And, more importantly, what would happen? Watch: We think it is about time that folks lightened up and had a little fun this Christmas. We applaud what we see here. Well done! Please follow and like us:

The Only Acceptable Use of Justin Bieber Christmas Music

Jeff Westover Christmas Features, Christmas Video December 7, 2015Family dance video 0 Comment

A family of 8 – or more, hard to tell — from Utah puts out a Christmas dance video to the same Justin Bieber song every year. This year’s edition for whatever reason has gone viral. You gotta give them props for their spirit: Please follow and like us:

Make It So, Make It So, Make It So

Jeff Westover Christmas Features, Christmas Video, Holiday Humor December 5, 2015December 5, 2015Make It So, Picard, Star Trek Christmas 1 Comment

This video is now two years old but it’s a classic. So it bears repeating, like It’s a Wonderful Life. Clever editing, a geeky theme and classic Christmas music. What’s not to love as Captain Picard brings us some Christmas cheer? Please follow and like us:

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