Monday, December 14, 2009

Monday music: "How Many Kings," by Downhere


(Thanks to reader Merrilee Stevenson for the tip)

16 comments:

Steven R. Robertson said...

That is a fantastic song. How rich the gospel is!

Brad Williams said...

Was that guy playing a book? With feather dusters?

Pew Potato said...

The star wasn't over the manger - it was over the house. I wonder why Christians can't get this right.

Matthew 2:9-11 (HCSB)
After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

DJP said...

Good point, P2.

Brad Williams said...

P2,

You will be happy to know that the manger scene at my house is devoid of wise men. We put them across the room, far to the West side. And when people say, "Why are your wise men over there?" We say, "Well, they are still on the way. They probably won't make it to Jesus for at least a yaer or so."

Chris H said...

They're actually not a bad band. My brother went to Bible College with them (good, Canadian prairie boys) who have some good stuff out there.

"Grown Man" and "Remember Me" are two of my favourites by this band.

Kara said...

Well a manger is the place where you put the food for the animals and it would be in a house or stable, so technically if the star if over the house it would be over the manger as well.

Aaron said...

I didn't realize this was a Christmas song. The radio station where I live plays this regularly.

Brad, you're too funny.

Ranyd: That's assuming the same manger was at the house where the family was staying when the wise men finally arrived.

Merrilee Stevenson said...

Brad, I believe the drummer is using a garbage can, a CD case, and one of those drumstick thingys.

Guys, of course the theological accuracy of the song may have some weaknesses, but I'd much prefer to hear it repeatedly than, say, The Little Drummer Boy.

Perhaps the Holy Toddler was known as the "Child in a Manger"--a local legend in Bethlehem in the days following His birth? (It's a stretch for the sake of preserving the song, but not too far-fetched.)

My wise men aren't anywhere near the manger in my house, either. And my manger scene has a palm tree! (Forgive me. I'm bragging.)

Susan said...

Love it!

Aaron said...

M.Stevenson:

You don't like the Little Drummer Boy? Bah Humbug!

My outdoor manger scene has a palm tree. But I never thought of putting the wise men elsewhere. Perhaps, I'll ask the neighbors if I can put them in their yard next year. J/K I feel ok with putting everything together for expediency. I don't have a year to gradually move them to Bethlehem.

Merrilee Stevenson said...

Sir Aaron:

If you read my words carefully, I didn't say that I don't like Little Drummer Boy. In fact, I indulge my children with the frivolity that is found in Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas album--including our favorite, Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, and yes, The Little Drummer Boy. It's the notion of listening to it repeatedly that I use as my tipping point.

After listening to "How Many Kings" repeatedly, I find myself singing, "All for me-heee-hee, all for you-hoo-hoo," Etc. And, frankly, that sounds a bit self-centered, doesn't it? (But I love listening to Marc Martel's vibratto. He has a couple of other excellent songs on youtube.)

All that to say my favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night. Sung by me, to my kids at bedtime. Every time I come to the part of the song that says, "He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger," I get a lump in my throat, because I always need to be reminded of that.

And, I think asking your neighbors to help you celebrate the King of Kings is a great evangelistic opportunity, as long as the magi are not being pulled by eight tiny reindeer.

Merrilee

Aaron said...

M.Stevenson...I was just pulling your chain with the little drummer boy. I know what you mean about repitition. The local Christian music station here plays Christmas music starting the day after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I think they only have about ten songs.

I do enjoy there's no white Christmas in Houston song though.

MJ said...

This year my wise men are a little closer to the manger than is biblically sound. But, hey, Joseph broke and I lost one of the animals over the years so without the kings, the whole thing was looking a little forlorn. I'm pretending that Joseph is out getting dinner. I mean, they HAD to eat. I find most traditional carols have some words that aren't biblically accurate but still resonate with some truth. It is what it is.

Yurie said...

Did Dan wait for midnight just so he could post this for Monday music? Haha

DJP said...

Good guess, but I'm not quite that obsessive. (c;

You can pre-set Blogger to post at a particular time. So, with our other-time-zoned readers in mind....