Embrace the wonder of the season in Come Home for Christmas with Matthew West. Through heartfelt songs and warm, humorous reflections, he reminds us of God’s love and the truth that—as His children—we can always come home.
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| Matthew West: Come Home For Christmas 2025 | December 19, 2025
- ♪ joy to the world ♪
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- ♪ the lord is come ♪
- 00:00:19.132 --> 00:00:24.904
- ♪ let earth receive her king ♪
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- ♪ let every heart prepare him room ♪
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- ♪ and heaven and nature sing ♪
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- ♪ and heaven and heaven and nature sing ♪
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- ♪ joy to the world ♪
- 00:00:52.966 --> 00:00:57.837
- ♪ joy to the earth ♪
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- ♪ the savior reigns ♪
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- ♪ let men their songs employ ♪
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- ♪ while fields and floods ♪
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- ♪ rocks, hills and plains ♪
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- ♪ repeat the sounding joy ♪
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- ♪ repeat, repeat even the sounding joy ♪
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- ♪ o joy to the world! ♪
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- ♪ joy to the world ♪
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- ♪ sing! joy to the world ♪
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- ♪ o he rules the world with truth and grace ♪
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- ♪ and makes the nations prove ♪
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- ♪ the glories ♪
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- ♪ of his righteousness ♪
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- ♪ and wonders of his love ♪
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- ♪ his love ♪
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- ♪ joy to the world ♪
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- ♪ joy to the world ♪
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- ♪ i'm singing joy to the world ♪
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- ♪ joy to the world ♪
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- Merry christmas everybody.
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- It's christmas time.
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- Is anybody excited like me?
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- Come on, put your hands together.
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- ♪ i left the lights up all year round ♪
- 00:03:12.372 --> 00:03:15.441
- ♪ i just couldn't bear the thought of taking em down ♪
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- ♪ i've been singing jingle bell rock since july ♪
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- ♪ all the neighbors look at me like i'm crazy, but i ♪
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- ♪ i got a feeling that i just can't shake ♪
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- ♪ you see, it's lasted 364 days, and now ♪
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- ♪ i'm too excited ♪
- 00:03:33.726 --> 00:03:34.994
- ♪ i can't sleep a wink ♪
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- ♪ i stare at the snow outside my window ♪
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- ♪ just thinking ♪
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- ♪ come on, christmas ♪
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- ♪ i don't know why it's taking so long ♪
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- ♪ christmas, well, i've been ♪
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- ♪ waiting all year for you to get here ♪
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- ♪ and i can't take another second ♪
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- ♪ can't you hear me begging? ♪
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- ♪ hurry up, santa claus ♪
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- ♪ here's my number ♪
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- ♪ just in case you ain't here ♪
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- ♪ get lost ♪
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- ♪ and i sure wouldn't mind if you're early this time ♪
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- ♪ yeah, so come on, come on, come on ♪
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- ♪ christmas, come on ♪
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- ♪ come on christmas ♪
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- ♪ yeah ♪
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- ♪ see, there's just something about this time of the year ♪
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- ♪ you can feel the excitement in the air ♪
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- ♪ everyone's hanging with family and friends, it's making you ♪
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- ♪ feel like a kid once again ♪
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- ♪ i steal a kiss under the mistletoe ♪
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- ♪ oh, bing sings ♪
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- ♪ let it snow, let it snow ♪
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- ♪ the only thing that's left on my christmas list is ♪
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- ♪ i'm hoping to catch a peak of old saint nick ♪
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- ♪ so come on christmas ♪
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- ♪ i don't know why it's taking so long ♪
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- ♪ christmas, see, i've been ♪
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- ♪ waiting all year for you to get here ♪
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- ♪ and i can't take another second ♪
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- ♪ can't you hear me begging? ♪
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- ♪ hurry up, santa claus ♪
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- ♪ here's my number, just in case your reindeer get lost ♪
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- ♪ and i sure wouldn't mind if you're early this time ♪
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- ♪ yeah, just come on, come on, come on, ♪
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- ♪ christmas, hearts are racing all around the world ♪
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- ♪ yes, they are ♪
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- ♪ smiling faces on the boys and girls ♪
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- ♪ waiting just to hear those sleigh bells ring ♪
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- ♪ singing come on christmas ♪
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- ♪ do your thing, do your thing, mr. saxophone ♪
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- ♪♪
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- Here we go!
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- ♪ come on, come on ♪
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- ♪ christmas, i don't know why it's taking so long ♪
- 00:06:03.609 --> 00:06:07.313
- ♪ christmas, well, i've been ♪
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- ♪ waiting all year for you to get here ♪
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- ♪ and i can't take another second ♪
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- ♪ can't you hear me begging? ♪
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- ♪ hurry up, santa claus ♪
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- ♪ here's my number in case old rudolph gets lost ♪
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- ♪ and i sure wouldn't mind if you're early this time ♪
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- ♪ no, just come on, come on, ♪
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- ♪ come on, christmas ♪
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- ♪ racing hearts are racing with you ♪
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- ♪ whoa! i can't wait any longer ♪
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- ♪ all the feeling's getting stronger ♪
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- ♪ so what you waiting for? ♪
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- ♪ come on, come on, come on christmas ♪
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- Merry christmas everybody.
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- Well, thank you so much.
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- How's everybody feeling this christmas?
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- Oh, man.
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- Well, hello.
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- My name is matthew west, and these are my friends, some
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- World class musicians and singers here to bring the
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- Christmas cheer to all of you watching in the studio and all
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- Watching on tv at home.
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- Make some noise if you are as
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- Excited as i am for christmas time.
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- Come on, let's go.
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- Oh.
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- Well, when tbn called and asked me to do a tv special, i said,
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- That's a funny thing.
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- I just released a christmas book and a christmas album.
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- The west family calls me mr. christmas, so this is
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- The perfect fit.
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- I want you to call me mr.
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- Christmas on the count of three.
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- One, two, three.
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- That's got a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
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- The reason is because i listen to christmas music annoyingly
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- Early in the year.
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- I know we've got, there's major division in our country, but
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- There is no more divisive topic than,
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- How soon do you decide to
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- Listen to christmas music? am i right?
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- There's a left and a right on that one, and i see this
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- Audience and everybody watching on tv,
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- You've decided it's never too
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- Soon to listen to christmas music.
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- Give yourselves a round of applause.
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- Let's go.
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- Good.
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- Well, i like to keep the
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- Classics as classic as possible.
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- Right. like, you know, little
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- Michael buble coming for you here.
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- It's matthew buble here tonight.
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- That's the best we could do.
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- And, uh, i want to sing one of my favorite christmas classics.
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- I hope you love it as much as i do, because this is the most
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- Wonderful time of the year.
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- See what i did there?
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- Not impressed?
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- Fantastic.
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- ♪ it's the most wonderful time of the year ♪
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- ♪ with the kids jingle belling ♪
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- ♪ and everyone telling you be of good cheer ♪
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- ♪ it's the most wonderful time of the year ♪
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- ♪ come on, let's go ♪
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- ♪ it's the hap happiest season of all ♪
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- ♪ with those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings ♪
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- ♪ when friends come to call ♪
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- ♪ it's the hap happiest season of all ♪
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- ♪ there'll be parties for hosting, marshmallows ♪
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- ♪ for toasting, caroling out in the snow ♪
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- ♪ with scary ghost stories and tales of the glories ♪
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- ♪ of christmases long, long ago ♪
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- ♪ it's the most wonderful time of the year ♪
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- ♪ yes it is ♪
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- ♪ there'll be much mistletoe ing ♪
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- ♪ and hearts will be glowing ♪
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- ♪ when loved ones are near ♪
- 00:10:08.721 --> 00:10:12.124
- ♪ it's the most wonderful time of the year ♪
- 00:10:12.124 --> 00:10:37.450
- ♪ there'll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for ♪
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- ♪ toasting, caroling out in the snow ♪
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- ♪ with scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of ♪
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- ♪ christmases long, long ago ♪
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- ♪ long ago ♪
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- ♪ it's the most wonderful time of the year ♪
- 00:11:00.706 --> 00:11:07.813
- ♪ there'll be much mistletoe ing ♪
- 00:11:07.813 --> 00:11:10.149
- ♪ and hearts will be glowing ♪
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- ♪ when loved ones are near ♪
- 00:11:11.650 --> 00:11:15.187
- ♪ it's the most wonderful time ♪
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- ♪ of the year ♪
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- Come on now. let's go.
- 00:11:44.950 --> 00:11:47.153
- We've got an awesome crowd here watching in the studio with us
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- Tonight, singing along with us.
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- You guys are amazing.
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- We've got an even bigger crowd viewing this all around the
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- World, and i like to picture families and friends gathered
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- Together around the tv drinking their hot cocoa.
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- And one of the things i love the most about the christmas
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- Season is the time that we get
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- Together with our families, right?
- 00:12:06.739 --> 00:12:09.175
- And, uh, well, not much of a response to that.
- 00:12:09.175 --> 00:12:12.178
- You know what that tells me?
- 00:12:12.178 --> 00:12:14.480
- That tells me that some of you are well aware that you don't
- 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:19.285
- Just have family, you have dysfunctional family.
- 00:12:19.285 --> 00:12:23.088
- Is that what i'm picking up on?
- 00:12:23.088 --> 00:12:24.990
- Come on, we've all got them.
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- In fact, the minute i said dysfunctional family, you
- 00:12:26.358 --> 00:12:28.828
- Thought of that one crazy uncle.
- 00:12:28.828 --> 00:12:31.564
- In fact, if you can't think of somebody who fits that
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- Description as your dysfunctional family member,
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- I got some bad news for you.
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- You're it.
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- They're thinking of you right now.
- 00:12:40.673 --> 00:12:42.675
- And what a special treat for me to actually have some of my
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- Very own dysfunctional family
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- In the crowd with us here tonight.
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- Mom and dad are here in the front row.
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- Make some noise for them. [applause]
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- Oh, i love seeing my mom and my dad here.
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- They never miss a chance to come to a show because they
- 00:12:59.859 --> 00:13:02.995
- Know that backstage, there's some sort of charcuterie board
- 00:13:02.995 --> 00:13:06.699
- That they're going to get to eat free meats and cheeses.
- 00:13:06.699 --> 00:13:09.168
- And nothing says christmas like meats and cheeses, right?
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- Uh, dad, mom, thank you for being here.
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- Always being in my corner.
- 00:13:14.406 --> 00:13:15.541
- And tonight you're in the front row.
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- And i see you got the christmas gift that i gave you.
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- You got it early this year?
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- Yes. yes.
- 00:13:21.714 --> 00:13:22.915
- It says this is my
- 00:13:22.915 --> 00:13:23.916
- Dysfunctional family christmas sweater there.
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- That's it.
- 00:13:26.652 --> 00:13:27.820
- And there's a reason why i gave that one to you, dad.
- 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:30.823
- I know. no, i'm just kidding.
- 00:13:30.823 --> 00:13:32.791
- Uh, you and mom are so special to me.
- 00:13:32.791 --> 00:13:36.028
- And you've raised me to become the man that i am.
- 00:13:36.028 --> 00:13:39.465
- And, uh, my dad was a pastor at
- 00:13:39.465 --> 00:13:41.200
- A church in chicago for 38 years.
- 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:44.403
- That's pretty cool, huh?
- 00:13:44.403 --> 00:13:46.038
- And, uh, before that, dad grew up in a pretty big household.
- 00:13:49.675 --> 00:13:53.579
- Grandma west, luella west gave birth to ten kids, nine boys
- 00:13:53.579 --> 00:13:59.518
- And one girl. so, you know, there was some
- 00:13:59.518 --> 00:14:01.954
- Dysfunction in that house, right?
- 00:14:01.954 --> 00:14:04.523
- Uh, dad, tell me what you look forward to most at christmas
- 00:14:04.523 --> 00:14:07.493
- Time and what makes this season so special for you and mom.
- 00:14:07.493 --> 00:14:11.463
- Well, i look forward obviously to be with family and just the
- 00:14:11.463 --> 00:14:16.535
- Message of christmas,
- 00:14:16.535 --> 00:14:17.836
- Just the hope that this world needs it always comes on time,
- 00:14:17.836 --> 00:14:21.907
- That jesus is the answer.
- 00:14:21.907 --> 00:14:23.475
- And that's the hope we have.
- 00:14:23.475 --> 00:14:24.743
- Come on, somebody say amen to that.
- 00:14:24.743 --> 00:14:26.545
- That'll preach.
- 00:14:26.545 --> 00:14:28.080
- There's no dysfunction in that statement, but there is
- 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:31.183
- Dysfunction in the west house.
- 00:14:31.183 --> 00:14:32.551
- Every family's got em.
- 00:14:32.551 --> 00:14:33.953
- And this year i was thinking about the craziness and the
- 00:14:33.953 --> 00:14:36.388
- Chaos of the christmas season.
- 00:14:36.388 --> 00:14:37.556
- And i sat down and i had this idea for a song called
- 00:14:37.556 --> 00:14:40.025
- Dysfunctional family christmas.
- 00:14:40.025 --> 00:14:42.561
- And i think it just might strike a nerve, hopefully a
- 00:14:42.561 --> 00:14:45.197
- Funny nerve, but maybe remind you to have a little grace for
- 00:14:45.197 --> 00:14:49.301
- The dysfunctional members of your family, and dare to
- 00:14:49.301 --> 00:14:52.471
- Acknowledge that we all can be that person from time to time.
- 00:14:52.471 --> 00:14:55.307
- So let's love each other well.
- 00:14:55.307 --> 00:14:56.942
- Let's give grace to each other.
- 00:14:56.942 --> 00:14:58.477
- Mom and dad, i love you.
- 00:14:58.477 --> 00:15:00.045
- Thank you so much.
- 00:15:00.045 --> 00:15:01.080
- This song is dedicated to you.
- 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.481
- It's called dysfunctional family christmas.
- 00:15:02.481 --> 00:15:04.984
- Here we go.
- 00:15:04.984 --> 00:15:05.684
- ♪♪
- 00:15:05.684 --> 00:15:15.627
- ♪ snowflakes are falling on a silent night ♪
- 00:15:15.627 --> 00:15:19.965
- ♪ for now all is calm ♪
- 00:15:19.965 --> 00:15:21.967
- ♪ and for now all is bright ♪
- 00:15:21.967 --> 00:15:24.370
- ♪ till the sound of the doorbell fills this house with fear ♪
- 00:15:24.370 --> 00:15:30.009
- ♪ dysfunctional family christmas is here ♪
- 00:15:30.009 --> 00:15:35.080
- ♪ bringing the bags and the baggage we got ♪
- 00:15:38.484 --> 00:15:42.888
- ♪ you know those in-laws are coming in hot ♪
- 00:15:42.888 --> 00:15:47.192
- ♪ hold on to your stockings ♪
- 00:15:47.192 --> 00:15:49.561
- ♪ it's about to get weird ♪
- 00:15:49.561 --> 00:15:52.831
- ♪ dysfunctional family christmas is here ♪
- 00:15:52.831 --> 00:15:57.736
- ♪ fa la la la la de da la da day ♪
- 00:15:57.736 --> 00:16:02.141
- ♪ lord, help us make it through this christmas day ♪
- 00:16:02.141 --> 00:16:06.512
- ♪ it's the crazy that comes along once every year ♪
- 00:16:06.512 --> 00:16:11.150
- ♪ dysfunctional family christmas is here ♪
- 00:16:11.150 --> 00:16:15.754
- ♪ cousin timmy's got a temp of 103 ♪
- 00:16:19.058 --> 00:16:23.462
- ♪ he don't cover his mouth whenever he sneezes ♪
- 00:16:23.462 --> 00:16:28.534
- ♪ and i'm trying my best to not get too near ♪
- 00:16:28.534 --> 00:16:32.771
- ♪ dysfunctional family christmas is here ♪
- 00:16:32.771 --> 00:16:38.377
- ♪ wanna know what else? ♪
- 00:16:38.377 --> 00:16:40.913
- ♪ well, grandma keeps yelling cause grandpa can't hear ♪
- 00:16:40.913 --> 00:16:45.484
- ♪ can you believe jolene did that to her hair? ♪
- 00:16:45.484 --> 00:16:49.822
- ♪ when the insults are flying like santa's reindeer ♪
- 00:16:49.822 --> 00:16:54.393
- ♪ dysfunctional family christmas is here ♪
- 00:16:54.393 --> 00:16:59.198
- ♪ fa la la la la da da la da day ♪
- 00:16:59.198 --> 00:17:03.702
- ♪ lord, help us make it through this christmas day ♪
- 00:17:03.702 --> 00:17:08.073
- ♪ it's the crazy that comes along once every year ♪
- 00:17:08.073 --> 00:17:12.611
- ♪ dysfunctional family christmas is here ♪
- 00:17:12.611 --> 00:17:17.850
- ♪ lord help us all ♪
- 00:17:17.850 --> 00:17:20.853
- ♪ fa la la la ♪
- 00:17:20.853 --> 00:17:22.621
- ♪ merry christmas ♪
- 00:17:22.621 --> 00:17:25.491
- ♪ fa la la la la de da de la la la la la ♪
- 00:17:25.491 --> 00:17:34.099
- ♪ well, you can't pick your family ♪
- 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:36.668
- ♪ that's god's choice to make ♪
- 00:17:36.668 --> 00:17:38.637
- ♪ and all we got is each other at the end of the day ♪
- 00:17:38.637 --> 00:17:43.542
- ♪ so let's make some memories that we'll all hold dear ♪
- 00:17:43.542 --> 00:17:50.249
- ♪ dysfunctional family christmas is here ♪
- 00:17:50.249 --> 00:17:55.554
- ♪ that's right ♪
- 00:17:55.554 --> 00:17:56.889
- ♪ everybody say fa la la la la da da la da day ♪
- 00:17:56.889 --> 00:18:02.961
- ♪ lord help us make it through this christmas day ♪
- 00:18:02.961 --> 00:18:07.432
- ♪ it's the crazy that comes along once every year ♪
- 00:18:07.432 --> 00:18:11.937
- ♪ dysfunctional family christmas is here ♪
- 00:18:11.937 --> 00:18:26.985
- Merry christmas!
- 00:18:16.408 --> 00:18:38.530
- Well, this is so special.
- 00:18:41.533 --> 00:18:42.901
- And it makes it even more special to have a special guest
- 00:18:42.901 --> 00:18:46.171
- Join me on stage for this next song.
- 00:18:46.171 --> 00:18:49.007
- This is my oldest daughter, my favorite 19 year old daughter,
- 00:18:49.007 --> 00:18:52.811
- Lulu west.
- 00:18:52.811 --> 00:18:53.745
- Everybody, here she is.
- 00:18:53.745 --> 00:18:55.013
- Come on.
- 00:18:55.013 --> 00:18:57.182
- Merry christmas.
- 00:18:57.182 --> 00:18:59.218
- Are you excited for christmas time?
- 00:18:58.350 --> 00:19:00.385
- Yes i am.
- 00:19:00.385 --> 00:19:01.353
- Are you nervous?
- 00:19:01.353 --> 00:19:01.954
- Getting me in the mood.
- 00:19:01.954 --> 00:19:02.754
- I love it, right?
- 00:19:02.754 --> 00:19:03.589
- It's so special.
- 00:19:03.589 --> 00:19:04.656
- Thank you for being here.
- 00:19:04.656 --> 00:19:05.490
- I love you so much.
- 00:19:05.490 --> 00:19:06.658
- And tell me one of your favorite things about christmas
- 00:19:06.658 --> 00:19:09.828
- In the west house.
- 00:19:09.828 --> 00:19:11.063
- I like how early we put up our christmas tree.
- 00:19:11.063 --> 00:19:13.732
- Very early.
- 00:19:13.732 --> 00:19:14.466
- Very early, very, very early.
- 00:19:14.466 --> 00:19:16.435
- And why is that?
- 00:19:16.435 --> 00:19:17.669
- I mean, it's just we could skip halloween and it has to be
- 00:19:17.669 --> 00:19:20.706
- There for thanksgiving.
- 00:19:20.706 --> 00:19:21.840
- So it just makes sense if it goes up in october.
- 00:19:21.840 --> 00:19:24.409
- Yeah. and the reason we do that is because a lot of times dad
- 00:19:24.409 --> 00:19:27.346
- Is on tour, right,
- 00:19:27.346 --> 00:19:29.114
- Playing concerts just like this.
- 00:19:29.114 --> 00:19:30.515
- And so it feels like our
- 00:19:30.515 --> 00:19:31.483
- Christmas season gets kind of condensed.
- 00:19:31.483 --> 00:19:33.752
- So it makes you soak it up.
- 00:19:33.752 --> 00:19:34.786
- We get to soak it up even longer.
- 00:19:34.786 --> 00:19:36.622
- That's awesome.
- 00:19:36.622 --> 00:19:37.756
- Well, i had the honor of inviting lulu to join me on
- 00:19:37.756 --> 00:19:40.626
- My christmas album.
- 00:19:40.626 --> 00:19:41.793
- On the come home for christmas album, we did one of our
- 00:19:41.793 --> 00:19:43.695
- Favorite christmas classics and i thought we'd perform it
- 00:19:43.695 --> 00:19:46.898
- Together for you tonight.
- 00:19:46.898 --> 00:19:48.467
- Are you ready?
- 00:19:48.467 --> 00:19:49.268
- Yes.
- 00:19:49.268 --> 00:19:50.102
- This is o little town of bethlehem.
- 00:19:50.102 --> 00:19:58.977
- ♪ o little town of bethlehem ♪
- 00:20:02.114 --> 00:20:07.286
- ♪ how still we see thee lie ♪
- 00:20:07.286 --> 00:20:12.090
- ♪ above thy deep and dreamless sleep ♪
- 00:20:12.090 --> 00:20:16.995
- ♪ the silent stars go by ♪
- 00:20:16.995 --> 00:20:21.466
- ♪ yet in thy dark streets shineth ♪
- 00:20:21.466 --> 00:20:26.672
- ♪ the everlasting light ♪
- 00:20:26.672 --> 00:20:31.543
- ♪ the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight ♪
- 00:20:31.543 --> 00:20:44.990
- ♪ for christ is born of mary ♪
- 00:20:48.126 --> 00:20:53.332
- ♪ and gathered all above ♪
- 00:20:53.332 --> 00:20:58.170
- ♪ while mortals sleep the angels keep their watch ♪
- 00:20:58.170 --> 00:21:04.343
- ♪ of wandering love ♪
- 00:21:04.343 --> 00:21:07.479
- ♪ o morning stars together ♪
- 00:21:07.479 --> 00:21:12.351
- ♪ proclaim thy holy birth ♪
- 00:21:12.351 --> 00:21:17.556
- ♪ and praises sing to god the king ♪
- 00:21:17.556 --> 00:21:22.394
- ♪ and peace to men on earth ♪
- 00:21:22.394 --> 00:21:26.565
- ♪ from heaven high to manger low ♪
- 00:21:26.565 --> 00:21:29.935
- ♪ to bring us life ♪
- 00:21:29.935 --> 00:21:33.905
- ♪ to bring us home ♪
- 00:21:33.905 --> 00:21:36.308
- ♪ o what a king! ♪
- 00:21:36.308 --> 00:21:38.777
- ♪ o what a friend, o little town ♪
- 00:21:38.777 --> 00:21:43.682
- ♪ of bethlehem! ♪
- 00:21:43.682 --> 00:21:47.319
- ♪ the little town of bethlehem ♪
- 00:21:47.319 --> 00:22:00.232
- ♪ o holy child of bethlehem, ♪
- 00:22:03.368 --> 00:22:08.507
- ♪ descend to us, we pray ♪
- 00:22:08.507 --> 00:22:10.876
- ♪ cast out our sin and enter in ♪
- 00:22:10.876 --> 00:22:18.116
- ♪ be born in us today ♪
- 00:22:18.116 --> 00:22:22.554
- ♪ we hear the christmas angels sing ♪
- 00:22:22.554 --> 00:22:27.926
- ♪ the great glad tidings tell ♪
- 00:22:27.926 --> 00:22:32.297
- ♪ o come to us, abide with us, our lord emmanuel ♪
- 00:22:32.297 --> 00:22:38.670
- ♪ from heaven high ♪
- 00:22:38.670 --> 00:22:44.209
- ♪ to manger low ♪
- 00:22:44.209 --> 00:22:46.578
- ♪ to bring us life ♪
- 00:22:46.578 --> 00:22:49.047
- ♪ to bring us hope ♪
- 00:22:49.047 --> 00:22:51.516
- ♪ oh, what a king ♪
- 00:22:51.516 --> 00:22:53.952
- ♪ oh, what a friend, o little town ♪
- 00:22:53.952 --> 00:22:58.790
- ♪ of bethlehem ♪
- 00:22:58.790 --> 00:23:04.196
- ♪ the little town of bethlehem ♪
- 00:23:07.365 --> 00:23:27.619
- You already made my christmas getting to sing with you.
- 00:23:31.189 --> 00:23:34.025
- Lulu, i love you so much.
- 00:23:34.025 --> 00:23:35.560
- And i got you and your sister a gift.
- 00:23:35.560 --> 00:23:38.663
- And since you're the one on stage, i'm going to let
- 00:23:38.663 --> 00:23:40.298
- You open it.
- 00:23:40.298 --> 00:23:40.999
- So, um, check it out.
- 00:23:40.999 --> 00:23:42.834
- I hope it makes your christmas so special.
- 00:23:42.834 --> 00:23:46.404
- I spent i put a lot of time and effort into this gift, and i
- 00:23:46.404 --> 00:23:50.375
- Couldn't wait to share it with you.
- 00:23:50.375 --> 00:23:53.311
- Check it out.
- 00:23:53.311 --> 00:23:54.312
- What is it?
- 00:23:54.312 --> 00:23:54.980
- Oh my goodness.
- 00:23:57.682 --> 00:23:59.184
- What is this?
- 00:23:59.184 --> 00:24:00.285
- It's a copy of your dad's latest christmas album.
- 00:24:00.285 --> 00:24:03.255
- Hey, i've been wanting this.
- 00:24:03.255 --> 00:24:06.725
- That's for you.
- 00:24:06.725 --> 00:24:07.792
- Oh my goodness.
- 00:24:07.792 --> 00:24:08.894
- And you're also--
- 00:24:08.894 --> 00:24:10.061
- You also get a copy of my latest book, come home for
- 00:24:10.061 --> 00:24:12.364
- Christmas to read all through the christmas season.
- 00:24:12.364 --> 00:24:14.866
- I'm going to. what do you think?
- 00:24:14.866 --> 00:24:15.967
- I'm going to start reading right now.
- 00:24:15.967 --> 00:24:16.902
- There you go.
- 00:24:16.902 --> 00:24:17.736
- Wow, how great of a dad am i, huh?
- 00:24:17.736 --> 00:24:20.872
- One more time,
- 00:24:20.872 --> 00:24:21.606
- Merry christmas to lulu west.
- 00:24:21.606 --> 00:24:22.707
- Give it up for lulu, everybody.
- 00:24:22.707 --> 00:24:26.111
- I want to show you guys something.
- 00:24:29.281 --> 00:24:30.549
- This is a christmas gift
- 00:24:30.549 --> 00:24:33.885
- That means a lot to me.
- 00:24:33.885 --> 00:24:35.720
- This christmas gift brings me back to christmases as a child,
- 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:41.126
- Making the trip from chicago, illinois to freezing cold
- 00:24:41.126 --> 00:24:45.196
- Mason city, iowa to visit my grandma
- 00:24:45.196 --> 00:24:47.933
- West, whom i named my daughter after.
- 00:24:47.933 --> 00:24:51.303
- And this was a gift that i would-- well, i'd be lying if i
- 00:24:51.303 --> 00:24:55.407
- Said i looked forward to it every year as a child, but it
- 00:24:55.407 --> 00:24:58.410
- Was a gift that i knew was coming every single year from
- 00:24:58.410 --> 00:25:01.246
- Grandma luella west.
- 00:25:01.246 --> 00:25:02.514
- Now this is a gerber baby food
- 00:25:02.514 --> 00:25:04.316
- Jar and it's filled with 100 pennies.
- 00:25:04.316 --> 00:25:08.687
- And every year, without fail, this would be wrapped up
- 00:25:08.687 --> 00:25:11.723
- And i could feel it.
- 00:25:11.723 --> 00:25:13.058
- Once i picked it up, this little blunt object that
- 00:25:13.058 --> 00:25:16.094
- Jingled, i knew exactly what it was.
- 00:25:16.094 --> 00:25:18.396
- And all the grandkids would be recipients of this baby food
- 00:25:18.396 --> 00:25:22.100
- Jar filled with 100 pennies.
- 00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:24.269
- You know, if i'm being honest, as a little kid who was
- 00:25:24.269 --> 00:25:27.005
- Dreaming of air jordans and the new baseball bat that was going
- 00:25:27.005 --> 00:25:30.642
- To surely help me get drafted by the chicago cubs, a jar of
- 00:25:30.642 --> 00:25:35.113
- 100 pennies was not on the top of my christmas wish list.
- 00:25:35.113 --> 00:25:38.750
- And yet, there it was
- 00:25:38.750 --> 00:25:40.051
- Every year, without fail, with intentionality and consistency.
- 00:25:40.051 --> 00:25:44.756
- And as a child, i didn't quite remember what a sacrifice would
- 00:25:44.756 --> 00:25:47.659
- Be required for a grandma
- 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:49.761
- With ten kids and many more grandkids.
- 00:25:49.761 --> 00:25:54.099
- And she never had much money.
- 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:55.567
- Grandpa passed away in 1984.
- 00:25:55.567 --> 00:25:58.036
- And yet, throughout the year, what this showed me was that
- 00:25:58.036 --> 00:26:01.239
- She was saving up.
- 00:26:01.239 --> 00:26:02.607
- And she wanted to make sure that i had something of value
- 00:26:02.607 --> 00:26:07.078
- To open as a gift from grandma west.
- 00:26:07.078 --> 00:26:09.147
- So every year, 100 pennies.
- 00:26:09.147 --> 00:26:11.516
- And i wanted to show this to you tonight as a reminder that
- 00:26:11.516 --> 00:26:14.619
- Good things come in small packages.
- 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:16.788
- And i got to tell you a really cool, full circle moment the
- 00:26:16.788 --> 00:26:19.591
- Year that i graduated from college.
- 00:26:19.591 --> 00:26:21.793
- I got another jar from grandma west.
- 00:26:21.793 --> 00:26:25.096
- It was a slightly bigger one, and she had been saving up, and
- 00:26:25.096 --> 00:26:28.099
- She gave me a jar filled with 30 silver dollars
- 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:31.369
- Congratulating me from graduating from college.
- 00:26:31.369 --> 00:26:33.538
- And i'll never forget that.
- 00:26:33.538 --> 00:26:35.473
- And i look back and i see what sacrifice grandma put in to
- 00:26:35.473 --> 00:26:39.744
- Make sure that we all had a special christmas and a special
- 00:26:39.744 --> 00:26:42.380
- Reminder of how much she cared for us.
- 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:44.816
- You know, when you open your bible, you read a lot of
- 00:26:44.816 --> 00:26:47.385
- Stories, and jesus is trying to teach us about the
- 00:26:47.385 --> 00:26:50.121
- Power of small, right?
- 00:26:50.121 --> 00:26:52.557
- The little boy who brought his loaves and fish,
- 00:26:52.557 --> 00:26:55.560
- And jesus multiplied it.
- 00:26:55.560 --> 00:26:57.896
- The woman in the story of the two copper coins, jesus is
- 00:26:57.896 --> 00:27:01.299
- Trying to remind us that it's
- 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.500
- Not about how much money we spend.
- 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:04.769
- It's not about the physical size of the gift or the size of
- 00:27:04.769 --> 00:27:07.972
- The gift in the world's eyes,
- 00:27:07.972 --> 00:27:09.674
- But it's about us showing love and intentionality and then
- 00:27:09.674 --> 00:27:12.877
- Watching how he can multiply that.
- 00:27:12.877 --> 00:27:15.413
- And even as i'm standing on this stage tonight and i'm
- 00:27:15.413 --> 00:27:17.515
- Getting to share the story of grandma luella west, the lord
- 00:27:17.515 --> 00:27:21.352
- Is multiplying that story and hopefully reminding you of what
- 00:27:21.352 --> 00:27:24.255
- Really matters this christmas.
- 00:27:24.255 --> 00:27:26.091
- So thank you for letting me share this story about
- 00:27:26.091 --> 00:27:28.526
- Grandma luella west.
- 00:27:28.526 --> 00:27:29.794
- This means a whole lot to me, and i felt it was fitting to
- 00:27:29.794 --> 00:27:32.764
- Share this story as i get ready
- 00:27:32.764 --> 00:27:34.099
- To sing a special song that i wrote.
- 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:36.101
- I actually wrote it inspired by a book by the great max lucado.
- 00:27:36.101 --> 00:27:39.637
- It's called because of bethlehem, and it reminds us
- 00:27:39.637 --> 00:27:42.640
- That god loved us enough to send his one and only son to be
- 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:45.543
- Born into a tiny, nowhere town in a little manger.
- 00:27:45.543 --> 00:27:49.380
- Good things come in small sizes.
- 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:50.915
- Amen? this is because of bethlehem.
- 00:27:50.915 --> 00:27:55.887
- ♪♪
- 00:27:58.556 --> 00:28:00.391
- ♪ just a tiny nowhere town with a tiny no room inn ♪
- 00:28:00.391 --> 00:28:07.932
- ♪ this is where the greatest story ever told begins ♪
- 00:28:07.932 --> 00:28:14.139
- ♪ we're just a tiny beating heart and all ♪
- 00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:18.243
- ♪ creation leaning in ♪
- 00:28:18.243 --> 00:28:21.513
- ♪ that night the world forever changed because of bethlehem ♪
- 00:28:21.513 --> 00:28:30.155
- ♪ it's where a star led to a stable, a baby's cry ♪
- 00:28:33.725 --> 00:28:38.263
- ♪ made angels sing ♪
- 00:28:38.263 --> 00:28:40.965
- ♪ and the search to find a savior ♪
- 00:28:40.965 --> 00:28:43.902
- ♪ led to heaven's humble king ♪
- 00:28:43.902 --> 00:28:47.806
- ♪ where the wise men found the answer ♪
- 00:28:47.806 --> 00:28:51.810
- ♪ the shepherds found the lamb ♪
- 00:28:51.810 --> 00:28:55.380
- ♪ and i found my emmanuel ♪
- 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:58.817
- ♪ because of bethlehem ♪
- 00:28:58.817 --> 00:29:00.919
- ♪ love is born ♪
- 00:29:03.822 --> 00:29:06.491
- ♪ holy is he ♪
- 00:29:06.491 --> 00:29:10.495
- ♪ heaven's light is made ♪
- 00:29:10.495 --> 00:29:12.864
- ♪ the darkness disappear ♪
- 00:29:12.864 --> 00:29:17.068
- ♪ peace on earth ♪
- 00:29:17.068 --> 00:29:20.505
- ♪ good will to men ♪
- 00:29:20.505 --> 00:29:24.509
- ♪ god with us ♪
- 00:29:24.509 --> 00:29:26.311
- ♪ all because of bethlehem ♪
- 00:29:26.311 --> 00:29:32.517
- ♪ from a child in a cradle ♪
- 00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:39.090
- ♪ to a king upon a cross ♪
- 00:29:39.090 --> 00:29:42.894
- ♪ he knew the road was leading him ♪
- 00:29:42.894 --> 00:29:46.164
- ♪ to pay a crimson cost ♪
- 00:29:46.164 --> 00:29:49.534
- ♪ and when no other arms can ♪
- 00:29:49.534 --> 00:29:52.036
- ♪ carry the weight of all our sin ♪
- 00:29:52.036 --> 00:29:57.075
- ♪ he took the fall and it happened ♪
- 00:29:57.075 --> 00:29:59.911
- ♪ all because of bethlehem ♪
- 00:29:59.911 --> 00:30:04.716
- ♪ love is born ♪
- 00:30:04.716 --> 00:30:08.286
- ♪ holy is he ♪
- 00:30:08.286 --> 00:30:12.290
- ♪ heaven's light is made ♪
- 00:30:12.290 --> 00:30:14.559
- ♪ the darkness disappear ♪
- 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:18.897
- ♪ peace on earth ♪
- 00:30:18.897 --> 00:30:22.267
- ♪ and goodwill to men ♪
- 00:30:22.267 --> 00:30:26.404
- ♪ god with us ♪
- 00:30:26.404 --> 00:30:28.139
- ♪ all because of bethlehem ♪
- 00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:32.911
- ♪ because of bethlehem ♪
- 00:30:35.947 --> 00:30:41.286
- ♪ from a tomb that love left empty ♪
- 00:30:44.589 --> 00:30:47.959
- ♪ to a father's right hand throne and a promise ♪
- 00:30:47.959 --> 00:30:53.598
- ♪ he's preparing us a place for soon call home ♪
- 00:30:53.598 --> 00:30:58.703
- ♪ he who came to earth from heaven is coming back again ♪
- 00:30:58.703 --> 00:31:05.643
- ♪ and our eyes will see eternity because of bethlehem ♪
- 00:31:05.643 --> 00:31:14.218
- ♪ love is born ♪
- 00:31:17.121 --> 00:31:20.558
- ♪ hope is here ♪
- 00:31:20.558 --> 00:31:24.762
- ♪ heaven's life is made ♪
- 00:31:24.762 --> 00:31:27.031
- ♪ the darkness disappear ♪
- 00:31:27.031 --> 00:31:31.402
- ♪ peace on earth ♪
- 00:31:31.402 --> 00:31:34.672
- ♪ and good will to men ♪
- 00:31:34.672 --> 00:31:38.843
- ♪ god with us ♪
- 00:31:38.843 --> 00:31:40.578
- ♪ all because of bethlehem ♪
- 00:31:40.578 --> 00:31:46.017
- ♪ god with us ♪
- 00:31:46.017 --> 00:31:47.685
- ♪ all because of bethlehem ♪
- 00:31:47.685 --> 00:31:54.092
- ♪ because of bethlehem. ♪
- 00:31:57.161 --> 00:31:59.230
- [applause]
- 00:31:59.230 --> 00:32:00.398
- ♪ do do do do do ♪
- 00:32:00.398 --> 00:32:27.125
- ♪ i'm ♪
- 00:32:23.921 --> 00:32:28.826
- ♪ dreaming of a white ♪
- 00:32:28.826 --> 00:32:32.630
- ♪ christmas ♪
- 00:32:32.630 --> 00:32:34.932
- ♪ just like the ones i used to know ♪
- 00:32:34.932 --> 00:32:41.406
- ♪ where the treetops glisten ♪
- 00:32:41.406 --> 00:32:46.744
- ♪ children listen to hear ♪
- 00:32:46.744 --> 00:32:51.315
- ♪ sleigh bells in the snow ♪
- 00:32:51.315 --> 00:32:56.587
- ♪ yes, i'm ♪
- 00:32:56.587 --> 00:32:58.856
- ♪ dreaming of a white christmas ♪
- 00:32:58.856 --> 00:33:04.896
- ♪ with every christmas card i write ♪
- 00:33:04.896 --> 00:33:11.436
- ♪ may your days be merry and bright ♪
- 00:33:11.436 --> 00:33:19.010
- ♪ and may all your christmases be white ♪
- 00:33:19.010 --> 00:33:25.116
- ♪ uh, here we go ♪
- 00:33:25.116 --> 00:33:26.551
- ♪ well, i, ♪
- 00:33:26.551 --> 00:33:28.653
- ♪ i'm dreaming ♪
- 00:33:28.653 --> 00:33:30.455
- ♪ of a white christmas ♪
- 00:33:30.455 --> 00:33:35.026
- ♪ just like the ones i used to know ♪
- 00:33:35.026 --> 00:33:41.365
- ♪ where the treetops glisten ♪
- 00:33:41.365 --> 00:33:46.771
- ♪ and children listen to hear ♪
- 00:33:46.771 --> 00:33:51.275
- ♪ sleigh bells in the snow ♪
- 00:33:51.275 --> 00:33:56.681
- ♪ well, i i i, i'm dreaming of ♪
- 00:33:56.681 --> 00:34:01.252
- ♪ a white christmas ♪
- 00:34:01.252 --> 00:34:05.156
- ♪ with every christmas card i write ♪
- 00:34:05.156 --> 00:34:11.429
- ♪ may your days, may your days, ♪
- 00:34:11.429 --> 00:34:13.331
- ♪ may your days be merry and bright ♪
- 00:34:13.331 --> 00:34:17.902
- ♪ and may all, ♪
- 00:34:20.805 --> 00:34:23.341
- ♪ all of your christmases ♪
- 00:34:23.341 --> 00:34:28.112
- ♪ be white ♪
- 00:34:28.112 --> 00:34:29.614
- ♪ doo doo doo doo doo doo doo do doo doo doo doo doo doo doo do ♪
- 00:34:33.351 --> 00:34:40.458
- ♪ doo doo doo doo doo doo doo do do do do do do do ♪
- 00:34:40.458 --> 00:34:52.803
- Okay, i know everybody's got their favorite christmas songs,
- 00:34:56.407 --> 00:34:59.844
- And, uh, i'm guessing you have yours.
- 00:34:59.844 --> 00:35:02.947
- My hope was that i would fit in as many of your favorites
- 00:35:02.947 --> 00:35:05.983
- As i could here tonight.
- 00:35:05.983 --> 00:35:07.952
- So i'm going to go ahead and
- 00:35:07.952 --> 00:35:09.320
- Take some requests from the crowd.
- 00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:11.722
- At least one request.
- 00:35:11.722 --> 00:35:12.790
- Do we have a microphone we can pass out?
- 00:35:12.790 --> 00:35:15.493
- Please let it be the one that i want to play.
- 00:35:15.493 --> 00:35:18.262
- Yes, ma'am.
- 00:35:18.262 --> 00:35:19.130
- What's your favorite christmas song?
- 00:35:19.130 --> 00:35:20.698
- It's got to be have yourself a merry little christmas.
- 00:35:20.698 --> 00:35:23.367
- Oh my goodness.
- 00:35:23.367 --> 00:35:24.168
- What are the odds?
- 00:35:24.168 --> 00:35:25.603
- That's exactly the song that we were preparing to play.
- 00:35:25.603 --> 00:35:30.274
- It's not as if you were coached to say that at all.
- 00:35:30.274 --> 00:35:33.277
- This is completely unplanned and spontaneous, and that's
- 00:35:33.277 --> 00:35:36.180
- Just the magic of television.
- 00:35:36.180 --> 00:35:37.982
- This is one of my favorites as well.
- 00:35:37.982 --> 00:35:39.917
- And, uh, i'm going to do my best.
- 00:35:39.917 --> 00:35:41.552
- I love this song so much and i'm glad you do too.
- 00:35:41.552 --> 00:35:44.288
- That's my new best friend in the front row.
- 00:35:44.288 --> 00:35:45.890
- Make some noise for her.
- 00:35:45.890 --> 00:35:47.491
- This is.
- 00:35:50.194 --> 00:35:51.429
- Have yourself a merry little christmas and you better be
- 00:35:51.429 --> 00:35:54.031
- Singing with me.
- 00:35:54.031 --> 00:36:10.214
- ♪ have yourself a merry little christmas ♪
- 00:36:13.584 --> 00:36:19.790
- ♪ let your heart be light ♪
- 00:36:19.790 --> 00:36:25.463
- ♪ from now on, our troubles will be out of sight ♪
- 00:36:25.463 --> 00:36:35.006
- ♪ have yourself a merry little christmas ♪
- 00:36:38.376 --> 00:36:44.749
- ♪ make the yuletide gay ♪
- 00:36:44.749 --> 00:36:50.388
- ♪ from now on, our troubles will be miles away ♪
- 00:36:50.388 --> 00:37:00.231
- ♪ here we are ♪
- 00:37:03.134 --> 00:37:04.969
- ♪ as in olden days ♪
- 00:37:04.969 --> 00:37:08.072
- ♪ happy golden days of yore ♪
- 00:37:08.072 --> 00:37:15.346
- ♪ faithful friends who are dear to us ♪
- 00:37:15.346 --> 00:37:20.518
- ♪ gather near to us ♪
- 00:37:20.518 --> 00:37:23.621
- ♪ once more ♪
- 00:37:23.621 --> 00:37:27.992
- ♪ through the years we all will be together ♪
- 00:37:27.992 --> 00:37:34.231
- ♪ if the lord allows ♪
- 00:37:34.231 --> 00:37:40.538
- ♪ hang a shining star upon the highest bough ♪
- 00:37:40.538 --> 00:37:49.180
- ♪ and have yourself a merry little christmas ♪
- 00:37:52.650 --> 00:37:58.923
- ♪ now ♪
- 00:37:58.923 --> 00:37:59.757
- ♪♪
- 00:37:59.757 --> 00:38:30.521
- ♪ here we are ♪
- 00:38:30.521 --> 00:38:32.456
- ♪ as in olden days ♪
- 00:38:32.456 --> 00:38:35.426
- ♪ happy golden days of yore ♪
- 00:38:35.426 --> 00:38:42.733
- ♪ faithful friends who are dear to us ♪
- 00:38:42.733 --> 00:38:47.738
- ♪ gather near to us once more ♪
- 00:38:47.738 --> 00:38:55.279
- ♪ through the years we all will be together ♪
- 00:38:55.279 --> 00:39:01.685
- ♪ if the lord allows ♪
- 00:39:01.685 --> 00:39:07.825
- ♪ hang a shining star upon the highest bough ♪
- 00:39:07.825 --> 00:39:16.500
- ♪ and have yourself a merry little christmas ♪
- 00:39:19.970 --> 00:39:26.076
- ♪ now ♪
- 00:39:26.076 --> 00:39:28.612
- ♪ just have yourself ♪
- 00:39:31.615 --> 00:39:35.152
- ♪ a merry every little christmas now ♪
- 00:39:35.152 --> 00:40:36.847
- ♪ o holy night ♪
- 00:40:39.750 --> 00:40:43.153
- ♪ the stars are brightly shining ♪
- 00:40:43.153 --> 00:40:48.292
- ♪ it is the night of our dear savior's birth ♪
- 00:40:48.292 --> 00:40:57.701
- ♪ long lay the world in sin and error pining ♪
- 00:41:01.105 --> 00:41:09.914
- ♪ 'til he appeared and the soul felt its worth ♪
- 00:41:09.914 --> 00:41:18.556
- ♪ a thrill of hope ♪
- 00:41:18.556 --> 00:41:22.293
- ♪ the weary world rejoices ♪
- 00:41:22.293 --> 00:41:26.363
- ♪ for yonder breaks ♪
- 00:41:26.363 --> 00:41:29.733
- ♪ a new and glorious morn ♪
- 00:41:29.733 --> 00:41:36.740
- ♪ fall on your knees ♪
- 00:41:36.740 --> 00:41:41.378
- ♪ o hear the angel voices ♪
- 00:41:41.378 --> 00:41:49.153
- ♪ o night divine ♪
- 00:41:49.153 --> 00:41:56.860
- ♪ o night when christ was born ♪
- 00:41:56.860 --> 00:42:04.535
- ♪ o night divine ♪
- 00:42:04.535 --> 00:42:12.376
- ♪ o night, ♪
- 00:42:12.376 --> 00:42:15.746
- ♪ o night, divine ♪
- 00:42:15.746 --> 00:42:21.418
- ♪ truly he taught us to love one another ♪
- 00:42:24.822 --> 00:42:32.896
- ♪ his law is love and his gospel is peace ♪
- 00:42:32.896 --> 00:42:42.573
- ♪ chains shall he break ♪
- 00:42:42.573 --> 00:42:45.776
- ♪ for the slave is our brother ♪
- 00:42:45.776 --> 00:42:51.215
- ♪ and in his name all oppression shall cease ♪
- 00:42:51.215 --> 00:42:59.757
- ♪ sweet hymns of joy in grateful ♪
- 00:42:59.757 --> 00:43:04.895
- ♪ chorus raise we, let all within us ♪
- 00:43:04.895 --> 00:43:11.702
- ♪ praise his holy name ♪
- 00:43:11.702 --> 00:43:15.372
- ♪ fall on your knees ♪
- 00:43:15.372 --> 00:43:22.112
- ♪ o hear the angel voices ♪
- 00:43:22.112 --> 00:43:29.086
- ♪ o night divine ♪
- 00:43:29.086 --> 00:43:37.928
- ♪ o night ♪
- 00:43:37.928 --> 00:43:41.031
- ♪ when christ was born ♪
- 00:43:41.031 --> 00:43:45.302
- ♪ o night divine ♪
- 00:43:45.302 --> 00:43:54.745
- ♪ o night ♪
- 00:43:57.581 --> 00:44:02.519
- ♪ o night divine ♪
- 00:44:02.519 --> 00:44:29.580
- I'd like to close out our time together tonight and what i
- 00:44:33.183 --> 00:44:35.886
- Hope will be a special way.
- 00:44:35.886 --> 00:44:39.123
- Um, i'm holding in my hand--
- 00:44:39.123 --> 00:44:40.557
- How many of you know what this book is?
- 00:44:40.557 --> 00:44:42.092
- How many of you see this is the greatest story ever told
- 00:44:42.092 --> 00:44:44.762
- Of the greatest gift ever given, and the greatest love
- 00:44:44.762 --> 00:44:47.197
- That any of our hearts could ever discover?
- 00:44:47.197 --> 00:44:49.399
- Amen? and, um,
- 00:44:49.399 --> 00:44:52.669
- I remember christmas morning
- 00:44:52.669 --> 00:44:55.205
- Growing up in downers grove, illinois.
- 00:44:55.205 --> 00:44:58.275
- My two younger brothers and i, like every other child, would
- 00:44:58.275 --> 00:45:02.312
- Run to the tree and quickly locate whatever gifts had our
- 00:45:02.312 --> 00:45:06.717
- Names on them, and then we'd begin to like, you know, put
- 00:45:06.717 --> 00:45:11.255
- Together our pile like, oh, can't wait.
- 00:45:11.255 --> 00:45:13.357
- And as right as i was about to open the gift every christmas,
- 00:45:13.357 --> 00:45:17.528
- Without fail, before my brothers and i were able to rip
- 00:45:17.528 --> 00:45:20.631
- Into our presents, my dad would shout, hold up!
- 00:45:20.631 --> 00:45:24.334
- And then he would hold up a bible.
- 00:45:24.334 --> 00:45:26.970
- And if i'm being honest as a little kid, my response was a
- 00:45:26.970 --> 00:45:31.475
- Groan like, ah!
- 00:45:31.475 --> 00:45:34.545
- And it wasn't because i didn't love the word of god.
- 00:45:34.545 --> 00:45:36.747
- It was just because i was really hoping for those air
- 00:45:36.747 --> 00:45:39.183
- Jordans, and i thought this was one of my dad's ways of like,
- 00:45:39.183 --> 00:45:43.020
- You know, cruel punishment.
- 00:45:43.020 --> 00:45:45.355
- Like delaying the gratification of opening the gifts.
- 00:45:45.355 --> 00:45:48.025
- Right? but looking back now, i realized that there was a
- 00:45:48.025 --> 00:45:52.362
- Method to his madness, or rather, a wisdom that he was
- 00:45:52.362 --> 00:45:56.733
- Pausing what was about to happen and making sure that we
- 00:45:56.733 --> 00:46:01.038
- Took care of first things first as a family.
- 00:46:01.038 --> 00:46:03.607
- It's one of my favorite christmas traditions.
- 00:46:03.607 --> 00:46:06.143
- Now i get to drive my kids crazy. as they're ready to
- 00:46:06.143 --> 00:46:09.880
- Open the gifts,
- 00:46:09.880 --> 00:46:10.614
- I get to say, hold up.
- 00:46:10.614 --> 00:46:12.416
- And i hold up the bible.
- 00:46:12.416 --> 00:46:13.684
- And every year a different family member takes a turn
- 00:46:13.684 --> 00:46:16.420
- Reading from luke chapter two.
- 00:46:16.420 --> 00:46:18.355
- And i want to encourage you and your family to make sure that
- 00:46:18.355 --> 00:46:20.524
- You're spending time not just watching a christmas special,
- 00:46:20.524 --> 00:46:24.261
- Not just listening to matthew west christmas songs.
- 00:46:24.261 --> 00:46:28.799
- Schedule that time for sure.
- 00:46:28.799 --> 00:46:30.968
- Not just reading other books or podcasts, man.
- 00:46:30.968 --> 00:46:33.237
- There are no shortage of entertainment options and
- 00:46:33.237 --> 00:46:35.472
- Distractions that can literally pull us away from what this
- 00:46:35.472 --> 00:46:39.276
- Christmas season is all about.
- 00:46:39.276 --> 00:46:41.278
- And my hope and my prayer with this christmas special.
- 00:46:41.278 --> 00:46:45.182
- With all of you watching in studio tonight and everybody
- 00:46:45.182 --> 00:46:47.651
- Watching around the world, was not that this would be another
- 00:46:47.651 --> 00:46:50.754
- Night of entertainment.
- 00:46:50.754 --> 00:46:52.522
- It was not that this would be a distraction, but rather that
- 00:46:52.522 --> 00:46:57.527
- This would be an invitation for each and every one of us to
- 00:46:57.527 --> 00:47:00.797
- Come home to the true meaning and the true story of
- 00:47:00.797 --> 00:47:04.234
- Christmas, and the reason why we have hope in this lost and
- 00:47:04.234 --> 00:47:08.071
- Hurting and broken world,
- 00:47:08.071 --> 00:47:10.040
- The reason why we have light in this,
- 00:47:10.040 --> 00:47:13.243
- What can be a really dark world at times,
- 00:47:13.243 --> 00:47:16.480
- The reason why we can have peace in the middle of what can
- 00:47:16.480 --> 00:47:19.850
- Be a chaotic world,
- 00:47:19.850 --> 00:47:22.052
- The reason why we can have joy even in times of sorrow which
- 00:47:22.052 --> 00:47:26.790
- This world will bring us many.
- 00:47:26.790 --> 00:47:28.892
- Amen? and so i want to just take a moment to pause here and
- 00:47:28.892 --> 00:47:32.262
- Read from luke chapter two...
- 00:47:32.262 --> 00:49:05.455
- How many of you are thankful
- 00:49:08.492 --> 00:49:10.327
- For the greatest gift of all, jesus?
- 00:49:10.327 --> 00:49:12.295
- Amen? come on, you can cheer for that.
- 00:49:12.295 --> 00:49:17.601
- And just as the angels reminded those who were searching that
- 00:49:21.238 --> 00:49:25.709
- There would be a sign to show them where to go,
- 00:49:25.709 --> 00:49:28.345
- My prayer is that our time together has been a sign for
- 00:49:28.345 --> 00:49:30.881
- You, and a reminder that the distance to come home for
- 00:49:30.881 --> 00:49:34.317
- Christmas is not as far as you think.
- 00:49:34.317 --> 00:49:38.221
- We are the ones who wander away.
- 00:49:38.221 --> 00:49:40.157
- He is the one who pursues us.
- 00:49:40.157 --> 00:49:43.260
- And maybe you're out there and you felt like it's been a long
- 00:49:43.260 --> 00:49:45.962
- Time since you really talked to jesus.
- 00:49:45.962 --> 00:49:48.265
- I want to invite you to dare to believe that he never forgets
- 00:49:48.265 --> 00:49:52.102
- The sound of his children's voice,
- 00:49:52.102 --> 00:49:54.638
- That he loves to hear when you call on his name.
- 00:49:54.638 --> 00:49:58.008
- Even if it's been a long time and you feel like you've been
- 00:49:58.008 --> 00:50:00.744
- Gone a long time,
- 00:50:00.744 --> 00:50:03.280
- There is no better time than this christmas to come home to
- 00:50:03.280 --> 00:50:07.050
- Call on the name of jesus.
- 00:50:07.050 --> 00:50:09.453
- Invite him to be the lord of your life and the author of
- 00:50:09.453 --> 00:50:12.122
- Your story, because he has a great plan for you.
- 00:50:12.122 --> 00:50:15.826
- And it begins by coming home.
- 00:50:15.826 --> 00:50:30.207
- ♪ how long has it been since you felt that feeling of wonder? ♪
- 00:50:33.910 --> 00:50:41.952
- ♪ like a child wide awake, counting down on christmas eve ♪
- 00:50:41.952 --> 00:50:50.127
- ♪ we're in such a hurry for life to begin ♪
- 00:50:50.127 --> 00:50:54.131
- ♪ but do you ever just wish you could go back again ♪
- 00:50:54.131 --> 00:50:58.535
- ♪ but what if i told you the young and the old ♪
- 00:50:58.535 --> 00:51:02.105
- ♪ you are not quite as far apart as you might think ♪
- 00:51:02.105 --> 00:51:09.379
- ♪ come home, come home, come home, come home for christmas ♪
- 00:51:09.379 --> 00:51:17.988
- ♪ let your heart return ♪
- 00:51:17.988 --> 00:51:22.259
- ♪ once again to the joy ♪
- 00:51:22.259 --> 00:51:27.097
- ♪ and the peace, the love and the hope ♪
- 00:51:27.097 --> 00:51:30.200
- ♪ it's all right here ♪
- 00:51:30.200 --> 00:51:31.468
- ♪ waiting for you to come home for christmas ♪
- 00:51:31.468 --> 00:51:37.641
- ♪ come home for good ♪
- 00:51:37.641 --> 00:51:42.979
- ♪ turn around and you'll see ♪
- 00:51:46.116 --> 00:51:50.220
- ♪ there's a light in the window ♪
- 00:51:50.220 --> 00:51:52.689
- ♪ and a star on the tree ♪
- 00:51:52.689 --> 00:51:54.324
- ♪ leave the past at the door ♪
- 00:51:54.324 --> 00:51:58.328
- ♪ all the years and the tears ♪
- 00:51:58.328 --> 00:52:00.597
- ♪ let them fall to the floor ♪
- 00:52:00.597 --> 00:52:02.632
- ♪ just follow the sound of laughter and song ♪
- 00:52:02.632 --> 00:52:07.070
- ♪ leading you back to the place where you always belong ♪
- 00:52:07.070 --> 00:52:14.978
- ♪ come home, come home, come home, come home for christmas ♪
- 00:52:14.978 --> 00:52:23.253
- ♪ just let your heart ♪
- 00:52:23.253 --> 00:52:26.556
- ♪ we turn once again to the joy and the peace ♪
- 00:52:26.556 --> 00:52:33.663
- ♪ the love and the hope ♪
- 00:52:33.663 --> 00:52:35.565
- ♪ it's all right here ♪
- 00:52:35.565 --> 00:52:36.933
- ♪ waiting for you to come home for christmas ♪
- 00:52:36.933 --> 00:52:42.272
- ♪ oh, and come home for good ♪
- 00:52:42.272 --> 00:52:46.676
- ♪ come home to a manger ♪
- 00:52:46.676 --> 00:52:50.680
- ♪ come home to a story that's still true ♪
- 00:52:50.680 --> 00:52:55.018
- ♪ come home to a savior ♪
- 00:52:55.018 --> 00:52:59.055
- ♪ who came down from heaven just for you ♪
- 00:52:59.055 --> 00:53:03.126
- ♪ how long has it been ♪
- 00:53:06.162 --> 00:53:10.000
- ♪ since you in your heart ♪
- 00:53:10.000 --> 00:53:12.168
- ♪ talk to jesus ♪
- 00:53:12.168 --> 00:53:16.006
- ♪ oh, come home, come home, come home, come home for christmas ♪
- 00:53:16.006 --> 00:53:24.514
- ♪ just let your heart return once again ♪
- 00:53:24.514 --> 00:53:32.389
- ♪ to the joy and the peace, the love and the hope ♪
- 00:53:32.389 --> 00:53:37.027
- ♪ it's all right here ♪
- 00:53:37.027 --> 00:53:38.295
- ♪ waiting for you to come home for christmas ♪
- 00:53:38.295 --> 00:53:44.134
- ♪ and come home for good ♪
- 00:53:44.134 --> 00:53:48.405
- ♪ come home for christmas ♪
- 00:53:48.405 --> 00:53:52.676
- ♪ and come home for good ♪
- 00:53:52.676 --> 00:54:19.569
- Hey, can we sing silent night together?
- 00:54:22.806 --> 00:54:24.874
- Can we do that?
- 00:54:24.874 --> 00:54:26.042
- Would you guys sing with me?
- 00:54:26.042 --> 00:54:27.177
- Come on, stand up and let's sing this together.
- 00:54:27.177 --> 00:54:29.412
- ♪ silent night ♪
- 00:54:32.282 --> 00:54:36.886
- ♪ holy night ♪
- 00:54:36.886 --> 00:54:39.189
- ♪ all is calm ♪
- 00:54:42.092 --> 00:54:46.930
- ♪ all is bright ♪
- 00:54:46.930 --> 00:54:52.202
- ♪ 'round yon virgin ♪
- 00:54:52.202 --> 00:54:57.507
- ♪ mother and child ♪
- 00:54:57.507 --> 00:55:02.479
- ♪ holy infant so tender and mild ♪
- 00:55:02.479 --> 00:55:12.789
- ♪ sleep in heavenly peace ♪
- 00:55:12.789 --> 00:55:22.532
- ♪ sleep in heavenly peace ♪
- 00:55:25.635 --> 00:55:30.774
- Amen. on behalf of all of my friends up here, and on behalf
- 00:55:34.377 --> 00:55:38.715
- Of the west family, and on behalf of the entire family at
- 00:55:38.715 --> 00:55:42.185
- Tbn, we want to wish you the merriest christmas of all.
- 00:55:42.185 --> 00:55:46.556
- Come home for christmas and let jesus change your life.
- 00:55:46.556 --> 00:55:49.259
- God bless you.
- 00:55:49.259 --> 00:55:50.126
- Merry christmas one and all.
- 00:55:50.126 --> 00:55:51.728
- Thank you, thank you, thank you.
- 00:55:51.728 --> 00:56:03.139
- [applause] ♪♪
- 00:56:06.075 --> 00:56:06.075
