I don’t know about you, but my soul needs a little soothing this week before Christmas. With some shopping left to do and kids getting out of school, my heart longs to be ushered into a place of God’s peace.
And today, I want to share with you one of my secrets to getting there. It’s through the beautiful music on one of my favorite Christmas CDs – Solo Piano Christmas – with all of the songs arranged and performed by my friend and accomplished pianist Chad Lawson. {Remember his Song of Prayer he shared with us?}
A Solo Piano Christmas to be a beautiful work of art and heart. Listening to it today, I feel the presence of Christ with each note. Truly, this music resonates in my soul and ushers me in a soothing Peace that is Heaven sent. Here are the twelve songs on A Solo Piano Christmas:
- What Child is This?
- The First Noel
- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- The Holly and the Ivy
- I’ll Be Home for Christmas
- Sing We Now of Christmas
- While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
- Joy to the World
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- God Rest You merry Gentlemen
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desire
- It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
If you enjoy Christmas music, I hope you’ll check out Chad’s CD! It is music for the soul, and I think I know why now. I just read these words Chad wrote in the dedication on the inside of the CD: As with every note I am given, all glory, honor and praise is returned to the giver of life, creativity and grace; Jesus Christ. Each note and space between is for His glory and nothing more.
And since I love hearing people’s stories, I wanted to share just a little bit of Chad’s with you! Chad Lawson was five years old when he realized his dream for life was music. After music school, he formed the Chad Lawson Trio, releasing highly acclaimed jazz albums. Their music was featured on Starbucks retail radio and the television series Dawson’s Creek. For seven weeks, their album,Unforeseen, was on the top of ten jazz charts. In 2007, Chad toured with Julio Iglesius, but realized that his dream was not playing with someone else, but to return to his own calling–the piano. In 2009, Chad recorded his first solo album, Set on a Hill. He has since recorded two more solo piano albums, The Piano and A Solo Piano Christmas.
Okay, so here’s how you can listen to Chad’s music — you can visit his page on YouTube or iTunes! You can pick and choose your favorite songs for only 99 cents each, or buy the whole solo piano Christmas album (total of 12 songs) for only $9.99! And you can also see and read all about Chad Lawson and his music at his website.
With many thanks to Chad, I have two autographed copies of A Solo Piano Christmas CDs to giveaway to two of you! This giveaway will end on December 21, 2012 at midnight. Thank you once again, Chad!
Just click “Share Your Thoughts” below and let us know your favorite Christmas song. {If you’re reading this via email, please click the title of today’s post at the top, and it will take you to my blog where you can enter at the bottom of the post. :)}
I’d have to say “Mary Did You Know”. It always makes me think about Mary and how it must have been to look down at the face of her baby and realize she held the promised Messiah in her arms, God with us.
Silent Night is my favorite. I used to listen to my Mom sing that song or hymn it sometimes. It reminds me that we have so much to be gratefule for. Now when I hear it it brings me sweet memories of her and all I have to be thanksful for through Christ.
O Holy Night is my favoite Christmas song 🙂
The week before Christmas is when I like to slow down and think on the Lord and His goodness. I feel like I get caught up in all the “things” of Christmas and forget the beautiful Gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ. I love the song , Joy to the World. Jesus came for all who will put their trust and faith in Him. This year my daughter (expecting their first child) and her husband are having their first Christmas together on the mission field in FIJI which is now experiencing a Cyclone (hurricane). What a joy to rest In Jesus and spread the Joy of Jesus Christ to the world!
Silent Night
Hard to pick just one Christmas song. Many beautiful memories in so many of them…hearing them growing up and going to NYC with my Dad on Christmas eve. Thanks for the chance to win this CD! Blessed Christmas to you and your family!
Thanks for sharing. i love all the Christmas Music and I will Check out Chad music on Itunes.
I love Christmas music!! My favorite song is “O Holy Night”!
Music brings to mind so many memories, not just with Christmas. I love the soothing sound of the music.
“O Holy Night” is my favorite Christmas song. I learned how to play it on the piano when I was a child. Just listening to Chad’s piano music makes me want to start playing the piano again. Merry Christmas!
I love O Holy Night. What a night that must have been!
I so appreciated your email today. I love “What child is this” as it brings such a holy atmosphere when it is sung. I love to play Christmas carols when I am writing Christmas cards as I find it inspiring and love to add a scripture or two inside the cards I am writing. Bless you abundantly for your ministry, so up building and powerful words of truth. May you and your family be truly enriched as you ponder again the miraculous birth of our Savior – “He who flung the stars in space became a little baby for a space of time.”
Renee, like you this morning my heart longs to be ushered into a place of God’s peace. A place where He can hold me close, wipe away my tears and remind me once again that He has a plan for my life that I don’t see yet but I can trust Him. What better way than to curl up with His Word, wait for His promises and finish that time with soothing Christmas music to remind us that we have already been given the greatest gift. Hugs in Him…
“Do You Hear What I Hear” has been my favorite Christmas song for many years. I love how it tells about the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Christ. I never get tired of listening to it.
Breath of Heaven is my favorite.
My favorite is “O, Holy Night,” but yesterday, I heard my church’s youth choir sing a lovely version of “The Holly and the Ivy.” It’s a lovely song, and I’m glad to see that it’s on Lawson’s CD.
I’m not sure I can pick a favorite, Love Breath of Heaven, Oh Holy Night, Silent Night, I could go on!
Do You Hear What I Hear
Silent night. Love to listen to this in a quiet room with just the tree lights on.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
O Holy Night
Just one? Right now…in this season…Silent Night…oh how my heart yearns for the “all is calm”.
Having a degree in piano, and my son just graduating with his A.R.C.T. solo performers in piano, this sounds like a CD our entire family would enjoy.
Love you tons Renee…pray for you often…you are a blessing.
Hugs,
Joy
My favorite Christmas song has to be “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” because I love my family dearly and I don’t get to see a lot of them except for the holidays and that song just touches my heart. You can go home for Christmas even if it’s just “in your dreams”
We love listening to Christmas music to set the tone in our home
Mary did you know. Is my favorite song
I love Christmas music. I think that is one of my favorite parts of the holiday, well, that and baking cookies.
I think, if I had to pick one song, it would be Star of The East, but it has to be my sister and niece singing it to me. If I could record it, I would.
My all-time favorite Christmas song is “Mary Did You Know?” However, every one of the songs on Chad’s CD is beautiful, and I would be honored to have a copy of it. Thank you, Renee, for your continued inspiration and sharing resources with us. Merry Christmas!
One of my favorite things about the holidays is getting out my Christmas CD’s. I love filling the air with the soul stirring hymns and songs that remind us of the glorious miracle of Jesus’ birth. May you and your loved ones have a blessed Christmas!
Oh Yes my soul needs soothing this week! Thank you for sharing Chad’s CD with us. I downloaded Song of Prayer when you shared it with us before and have loved listening to it many times. It is my go to song when I am writing and need time to quietly think. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
In His Calm,
Mary
I have always loved piano music, it is truly soothing to the soul. Reminds me of a rippling brook when it is played right. May everyone have a blessed Christmas, and remember who’s birthday we are celebrating! Jesus is His Name! ♥
One of my favorites is “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant. If I need a pick-me-up, I love “Sleigh Ride” by Debbie Gibson. So fun!
It is impossible for me to pick a favorite, but one of my favorites is “Carol of the Bells.”
“In The First Light” is one of my favorite during this season of celebrating our Savior’s birth and His gift to us of everlasting life.
Favorite song: Mary, Did You Know? P.S. my birthday is on the day of the give a way, 12/21/12.
Too many favourites to pick!. Thanks for introducing me to Chad’s music – it’s absolutely beautiful.
O Holy Night and The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting..). 🙂
My favorite? Difficult to pick, but I would have to say “The brithday of a King”
I am like some others, that I have alot as I enjoy the beautiful Christmas songs. To pick one, I will say it would be O Holy Night. That was a Holy Night when our Savior was born.
The Little Drummer Boy. He had nothing tangible to give but he gave what he had-and it was enough.
Silent Night. Every time I hear this song or sing it, I cry. Remembering my grandma who passed away 33 years ago this coming Wednesday. My mom played the organ at church and for years I accompanied her with the bells. Special memories for a blessed song!
There are so many that I LOVE, but I’ll pick just one for today…… Be Born in Me by Francesca Batistelli (it’s newer, but I LOVE IT!!).
THank you!
“Mary, Did You Know?” profound thoughts and concepts there
“What Child is This?” is my favorite. I find myself humming the tune all thru the year.
O Holy Night is my favorite!
Thank you for your post. I would love to win the CD. I’ve been having difficulty experiencing joy recently so I began listening to Christmas CD’s in November. With Christmas fast approaching the “joy” is continually being zapped again. So additional Christmas music, especially hymns would be especially helpful. God Bless and Merry Christmas!!
My favorite Christmas song would have to be Do You Hear What I Hear?. I love the story told through the song about the night of our Savior’s birthday, so many years ago. No matter how many times I hear the song, it never seems to get old. Most of the time, I get teary-eyed when I listen to it, if I will take the time to really think about the message within the song!
Definitely O Holy Night!
I have lots, but Joy to the World is my no.1 . It’s really a great joy and hope to this weary world to know the saviour, who is Jesus. Glory to God in the Highest. I’d love to win this to add it in my CD collection. Many thanks and blessings! Happy Holidays! :))
Thanks for introducing me to this wonderful artist! My favorite Christmas song is “What Child is This?” It was the first Christmas song I learned to play on the piano when I was young and still holds a very special place in my heart.
O Holy Night is my ultimate favorite!!
Ever since the first time I heard my mom and grandmother and the rest of my childhood church’s choir sing “Do you hear what I hear” in 2 part harmony at Christmas, it’s been my favorite! God bless everyone this Christmas season.