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Joy to The[m] All

Mart De Haan Posted by Mart DeHaan
December 8th, 2010
26 Comments » 

Yesterday I posted a youtube.com video that is being passed around like a viral Christmas Card.

The emotion many of us felt in watching it related not only to the transcending musical tribute to the King of kings, but to hearing and seeing its impact on the broader public for whom Christ died.

As some of us were seeing this for the first time, some of our friends let us know about another youtube of a similar event at Macy’s of Philadelphia. Once again, I hope you find this as moving as I do.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU&feature=fvw


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26 Responses to “Joy to The[m] All”

  1. poohpity says:
    December 8, 2010 at 11:09 pm

    I loved watching all the different reactions from the shoppers. It seemed to be representative of the different responses to the Gospel.

  2. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    December 9, 2010 at 1:34 am

    King of Kings!
    Lord of Lords!

    The King is coming for Me!

    BruceC

    Although it has become your signiture on here, I hope I can share in saying…..

    “Soli Deo Gloria!”: To God Alone Be The Glory!

  3. BruceC says:
    December 9, 2010 at 8:20 am

    Bob in England,

    ALL the brothers and sisters in Christ in His church worldwide can share in saying “Soli Deo Gloria!”
    To God Alone Be The Glory!

    poohpity,

    I wondered too about the reactions of the people. How many walked away thinking about the Gift God has offered them? How many thought about the life they were living, what their response to Christ was, or did they just feel entertained for a brief moment?
    Only God knows; but the Gospel is continuing to be preached.
    Maybe this will “catch on” in years to come and many malls and stores will have singers reminding shoppers of the real “Reason for the Season!”

    BruceC
    Soli Deo Gloria!

  4. SFDBWV says:
    December 9, 2010 at 9:06 am

    Since we are talking about web videos, I recomend and suggest that you take the time to go to rachelschallange.org

    I read her story again this morning, and thought about her “legacy of the Power of One”

    Steve

  5. rljohnson says:
    December 9, 2010 at 10:40 am

    Absolutely breath taking!!! SO AWESOME!!! I don’t know the emotion I was feeling, but I just cried while watching this piece. Thanks for sharing.

  6. poohpity says:
    December 9, 2010 at 10:44 am

    During this season Christ gets so much attention whether it be negative or positive He gets attention. I hope we as representatives can bring more honor and Glory to His name so that the negative will turn into positive. Hallelujah!!!

  7. foreverblessed says:
    December 9, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    SO incredibly awesome, I had t cry for quite a bit
    How great it will be when all of us are singing together:
    Hang in folks, try to sing praise to God, in whatever situation you are,
    we are already singing and praising together then, God hears it!!
    BruceC, so finally I get your note: Soli Deo Gloria

  8. Jason says:
    December 9, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    Both videos are awesome, they brought a tear to my eye. I hope everyone enjoys this holiday season.

  9. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    December 10, 2010 at 3:30 am

    Steve,

    Thanks for sharing rachelschallange, I haven’t come across it before and it seems she had such vision for her life.

    It made me think of what Jesus said and did!To fulfil our destiny we have to die in order that we may live.

    This young lady is achieving more in her death than most of us will achieve in our lives.
    We will never know what she would have achieved if she had lived, buy in death she has given the whole world a legacy of life.
    If that is not Christ like, then nothing is?

    It seems my little life can only become something when I let go and let Jesus fulfil His life in me!

    Thought for the day!!

    Love

    Bob

  10. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    December 10, 2010 at 3:35 am

    (with typo corrections! I know you lovely web controllers can erase my first message and this note.
    Have a God Blessed day! Bob)

    Steve,

    Thanks for sharing rachelschallange, I haven’t come across it before and it seems she had such vision for her life.

    It made me think of what Jesus said and did! To fulfil our destiny we have to die in order that we may live.

    This young lady is achieving more in her death than most of us will achieve in our lives.
    We will never know what she would have achieved if she had lived, but in death she has given the whole world a legacy of life.
    If that is not Christ like, then nothing is?

    It seems my little life can only become something when I let go and let Jesus fulfil His life in me!

    Thought for the day!!

    Love

    Bob

  11. SFDBWV says:
    December 10, 2010 at 7:04 am

    The video at the mall food court was set up by a few people who wanted to get the Christmas *spirit* out as best thy could do….the people who joined in show an eagerness on the hearts of most people to worship our Lord.

    The Macy’s event was more spontaneous with reguards to the shopers…But still showed how people want to enjoy the spirit of Christmas, and also be able to enjoy good music in doing so.

    The videos were stimulating, and shows how Hollywood has successfuly touched our emotions through the inclusion of music with movie scenes.

    I sent the info along regarding Rachel, because here was a story of a young promising woman, who while living had made the decision that she as one person could make a difference in the world…through love and kindness.

    That even though evil at its worst took her life from among us, her message of love and of forgiveness could live on….Very Christlike.

    Remembering it is Christ we celebrate in this season.

    Steve

  12. oneg2dblu says:
    December 10, 2010 at 10:29 am

    Yes, the Mall event was Glorious!
    It produces more than man alone
    can generate, it produces profound Joy!
    Happiness is a human emotion, but Joy
    is uncontainalbe and doesn’t depend
    on how we feel, it penetrates even
    beyond our emotional state. It is greater
    than what we can produce from within,
    it is the Blessing of the Almighty,
    poured out before us, and we are caught
    up in it!
    Still cleaning up my face after revisiting Rachelschallenge. It is our challenge as
    well, for all Christ Followers have a
    sphere of influence, that God has arrasnged
    for us, just as sure as there are no accidentasl
    meetings, or blessings! We need to be all we can
    be for Christ, and “Being in Christ,” is the only
    means to that end! That is where we become His Hsnds
    and His Feetin this dark world around us, and only His Light can make us truly shine for others! Be Blessed!
    GWW

  13. oneg2dblu says:
    December 10, 2010 at 10:56 am

    PS There are no “Random Acts of Culture,” only
    the Eternal Plan of God that are played out before us!
    After all… He Created and ultimately controls
    All Things! To God Be the Glory!

  14. poohpity says:
    December 10, 2010 at 11:09 am

    Wow, I did not know Hollywood had anything to do with the Mall music, thanks for the heads up Steve. I guess God can work even through Hollywood to bring Glory to Himself. :-)

  15. JediKnight4Him says:
    December 10, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    Hallelujah! Nice to see Jesus is still being lifted up and the reason for the season in some malls! BTW Mart I have listen to you over 20 years! Maybe you will say hi? :)

  16. Mart De Haan says:
    December 11, 2010 at 9:40 am

    JediKnight4Him, good morning!!! :-)… Good to year from you!! While we have often talked about how difficult it is to relate to heaven, and eternity, I’ll bet some of the joy will be getting to know one another and compare notes on what was really happening– as we saw or talked to one another from a distance… on this leg of our journey :-)…

  17. JediKnight4Him says:
    December 11, 2010 at 11:59 am

    Amen to that brother! I did notice in the video some people had a suprised and shocked look on their faces. Is this not a mall “small” preview of when the Lord returns and the reality that Jesus is King and every knee shall bow……shocked or not?

  18. waiting4jesus says:
    December 12, 2010 at 1:19 am

    Thanks for uploading and highlighting this excellent video from Macy’s in Philadelphia. Possessing one of the largest organs anywhere and having apparently been recently restored, I agree that this was a breathtaking experience. Not only were a number of ordinary people singing praises to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the whole event represented a number of different aspects that JediKnight4Him began on — suddenly, He will appear as that too early or second Sunrise in the eastern sky with the sound of trumpets and, perhaps, choirs singing better music than even Handel as they did at His first advent. Macy’s shoppers surprised by a sudden performance? Imagine Christ’s return and it’s impact! Couple other thoughts:
    > This event was apparently a “flash mob” in which a coordinated group of people quietly gather without notice then commence with unexpected group activity. There were a variety of choirs and groups along with the Philadelphia Opera Company. It appears that the Wannamaker organ was being played when the vocal groups suddenly joined in. In a separate YouTube video of the same event, the camera caught the organized singers on the lowest floor and the director up on an upper level. What if we, as Christians, conducted random acts of evangelism like this, gathering different churches together quietly in one place then opening up in song?
    > The event took place on October 30th, the day before Halloween. Some of us don’t celebrate Halloween due to its connection with spiritual darkness and even Satan himself. In a separate video, at the end of the Messiah, Macy’s lit their huge Christmas tree. On what might be functionally Halloween eve, the event pointed right past Halloween and all its wickness to the King’s first coming and that celebration. I don’t know if that was planned or not, but as all of creation sings out praise to the Lord God Almighty, amazing how this, planned or unplanned, really made a strong statement for Christ at a strategic moment. Bravo for those who participated!

  19. SFDBWV says:
    December 12, 2010 at 7:54 am

    “Ode to Joy” was written in 1785 by German poet Friedrich Schiller, and put to music by Ludwig Van Beethoven in 1824.

    “Hallelujah Choris” written by Handel in 1741, part of an oratorio titled “Messiah” was a tribute to Christ and Christian doctrine.

    These composers heard a different music in their hearts than do most today…But all recognize good music when it is played, and most all of us react positively to it.

    I thank such men who hear the music and are given the ability to share it with us…

    What music do we each hear, in our spirits? I have to wonder what grand music awaits us in that heavenly realm. This being only a shadow of things to come.

    Getting ready for another blast of winter, hope all of you are safe and sound wherever you are.

    Steve

  20. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    December 12, 2010 at 10:31 am

    I first heard Ode to Joy when I was 18 and went to Londons Kenwood open air concert hall. Much like the Hollywood Bowl only surrounded by water.
    I bought an album and must have played it a thousand times.
    Now it has become the Anthem of the European Union and some how it has lost it’s appeal for me.
    I now think of the end times, 666 and all that when I hear the tune.

    Give me the Hallelujah Chorus any day as it reminds me of Revelation and the Elders etc. Worshiping My King.

    Bob

  21. SFDBWV says:
    December 12, 2010 at 12:36 pm

    Bob, I did not know that Ode to Joy was the official anthem for the unified Europe..

    However it makes sense seeing how the original poem was written to celebrate the ideal of unity and brotherhood of all mankind.

    As goofy as our world is, I read a story on line a couple days ago about the science of why such music gives us a rise…They especialy mentioned Hallelujah as well as a couple others.

    Sometimes I don’t need to know all thw whys, sometimes I just enjoy….in peace.

    Steve

  22. jaausc says:
    December 12, 2010 at 9:19 pm

    When I saw this, Mart, my first reaction was what a great outreach for church choruses! head to your local mall and do likewise! While we can still sing
    about Jesus in public, let’s go for it!
    Hallelujah and Merry Christmas!

  23. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    December 13, 2010 at 1:08 am

    Yes,

    “While we can still sing
    about Jesus in public, let’s go for it!”

    It seems we all can feel the tightening of the law and restrictions begining to impact our Worship of our King.

    Something struck me the other day!
    Have you noticed how all the countries of the world and many of us personally are in debt.
    It seems the world is being set up finacialy, ready for the day when all trading and money affairs will be under controll of the anti christ. There will be little choice for nations and individuals to yeild to and be placed under his seal because of finacial constraints. Look at Greece, Ireland and soon Portugal and Spain.
    Although it is hard, and I speak from my own debt situation, we must all strive to be “debt free” and submit to the only one who can cancel out our debts and set us truly free.
    Sing Joy! for He is near.

    Bob

  24. BruceC says:
    December 13, 2010 at 1:46 am

    Bob,

    I see exactly what you see. A “global” economy is the first step toward a global financial system. Then the next step is a global government. The Word tells us the final step; the global religion, when the anti-Christ demands worship from everyone. I know people who say”That will never happen.” And yet it is there right under their nose.
    As far as personal debt is concerned it is harder to get out from under it or stay out of it than ever before. I once knew a minister(very young at the time) that said you should save for everything and never go into debt. I asked him “How does one get a dependable car, or a home if you have to save for everything, or you are paying rent in the meantime?” Very few people can pay cash for everything. Those days are past. Years of inflation during the late 70’s and early 80’s killed that goose. Folks’ wages didn’t keep up with the rate of inflation. Nor did the financial system want them to.

    BruceC
    Soli Deo Gloria!

  25. chaim18 says:
    December 13, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    To paraphrase callers to radio shows, “I’m a long time reader, first time contributor”. It is a blessing to be able to add to the awesome comments I’m used to reading on here. When I first heard about — and viewed — the videos, I was overcome as most of you were, but I also wondered how long it would take organizations like the ACLU to attack this beautiful outpouring of melodious reminders of the season. Perhaps it is a horrible commentary on the days in which we live, but I’m actually surprised that no one has challenged the singing of the chorus in public places. Although the act was not quite as “random” as the sign indicated, it was the perfect song choice and I could only imagine the shivers going through people in a mall enveloped by praise instead of the usual cacophony of “business as usual”. I pray it remains controversy-free.

    Howard in Omaha

  26. Regina says:
    December 30, 2010 at 10:34 am

    Good Morning All

    Just wanted to say that I enjoyed this video too! I found myself wishing I had been there when this spontaneous praise to God… to the King of Kings and LORD of Lords happened at a mall! Just a little bit more partial to the first video though. The look on that little boy’s face (in the first video Mart shared) was priceless!! :-)

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