37 Days of Christmas

Day 25 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – A New World ‘Wakens

A New World ‘Wakens
Lyric and Music by Douglas
Eltzroth

Lighted windows flicker off to sleep
Children’s giggles drift into the night
Herdsmen bed their cattle
Shepherds count their sheep
Birds hush their singing
Mothers hum their lullabies
A hawk circles over old friends
Just reacquainted with old times
An olive leave falls to a moonlit stream
Bethlehem hangs up her clothes puts on her dreams

REFRAIN
Angels comfort frightened shepherds
A star burns brightly in the sky
The sun moves upward
The horizon blinks and stretches
And a new world ‘wakens to a baby’s cry
Yes, a new world ‘wakens to a baby’s cry

Western sky has lost its color now
The doors are locked the windows barred
The evening prayers have all grown silent now
The outside lamppost casts dark shadows on the yard
Two young lovers end their kissing
A tired grandpa starts to snore
The eldest son has banked the fire coals
Bethlehem tucks in her weariness once more

REFAIN

© 1988 Douglas C. Eltzroth c/o http://www.collage.org

Day 24 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – God Gave His Presence at Christmas

We were sitting at the green dining table; it was the end of November and the conversation was about the schedule for the Christmas Holidays. The kids were little and we talked of the 24 days of Advent with each opening a window on their very own calendar, the family’s advent-candle wreath, the church’s advent Sundays, how we were buying presents for each other, secret presents from Santa, Pleasant Dreams, stockings on Christmas morning, Christmas Day starts the twelve days of Christmas with a family present/activity every day, Epiphany, etc. – all adding up to the first wonder-filled 37 day celebration…now known as 37 Days of Christmas

The family meeting was over and as I was standing up, when young Trailand asked, “Daddy, when will God give his presents?” Today’s “whisper” of a song is my attempt to answer his question about 22 years later. Thank you, Trailand for helping me answer your own question!

– Doug & Trailand

God Gave His Presence At Christmas

_{Words and Music by Douglas C. Eltzroth}

God gave His presence at Christmas
Not wrapped in paper or ribbons and bows
Not under the tree but under the stars
Wrapped up in old swaddling clothes

Chorus:

God gave His presence to show that He loves us
And knows that we need Him
God gave His presence at Christmas

We opened up the attic door
Bringing down the season’s joy
Boxes full of ornaments in various conditions
Untangling lights and tangled hearts

Bringing back the memories lost
We’re handing down another round of delicate traditions

God gave His presence at Christmas
Not wrapped in paper or ribbons and bows
Not under the tree but under the stars
Wrapped up in old swaddling clothes

God gave His presence to show that he loves us
And knows that we need Him
God gave His presence at Christmas

Unwrapping thoughts of old beliefs
Hanging up a homemade wreath
Musty smells stir dusty tales of forgotten old surprises

Anticipating Christmas Eve
Sleep the night in pleasant dreams
When child-like faith and hopes awake
before the sun arises

God gave His presence to show that He loves us
And knows that we need Him
God gave His presence at Christmas

Day 23 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – Joseph’s Song

Here is a song based on what I imagine could have been some thoughts of Joseph during those first few days after the birth of Jesus. I know the joy I had holding my three children and the 8 grandchildren when they were new. Just imagine the joy and wonder of being the dad of Jesus…

– Doug

Day 22 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – I Know A Savior

I was surprised when my dad told me that I Know A Savior had never been recorded before. While some of his other songs talk about the Christmas story in poetic, story telling ways, embedded at the heart of this song there is genuine personal human experience expressed in the “I know” phrases – “I know a trouble, I know a sorrow” – I also know that this song is particularly dear to my dad’s heart.

I took a few steps to make this recording as genuine and honest as possible. What I mean by that is, through trial and error we attempted to not over produce, over complicate or bring in some artificial gloss to smooth of the rough edges. To explain what I mean by this, let me take you a little behind the scenes.

It took us three separate recording sessions to finally hear what we were after. Initially, we’d agreed on recording the piano part first and then adding the vocal part overtop of it. While this works for many different songs, even making the process easier in the long run, something felt unnatural about piano and vocal parts being disconnected, having not been recorded together. In light of this we decided to recorded them together, live in the living room at the piano.

Basically, what this means is that we get one take. Because studio recording microphones aren’t generally hyper directional, meaning they pick up noise to the sides of whatever you are trying to record, sound from another source bleeds into each and every track during a recording. So the piano part is picked up the in vocal mic and vice versa. It makes taking mistakes out rather difficult in the editing process…

I hoped that all of this (plus more tech stuff that I assume you wouldn’t want me to go in to detail on…) would amount to you being able to picture yourself around the piano in my dad’s living room…even though you weren’t there when we recorded this whisper of I Know a Savior.

– Trailand

I Know a Savior

_{Words and Music by Douglas C. Eltzroth}

I know a trouble I know a sorrow
I know a grieving I know a pain
I know a trial I know a hardship
I know a burden I know a weight

Chorus:

But I know a Savior
He’s so much greater
Everlasting is His love
I know a Savior
He’s so much greater
Everlasting is His love

Verse 2

I know a failing I know a lying
I know a stumbling I know a sin
I know a bending I know a falling
I know a promise that is broken again

(chorus)

Verse 3

I know a terror I know a darkness
I know a danger I know a fear
I know a sadness I know an evil
I know a dying I know a tear

(chorus)

Ending:

He’s so much greater
Everlasting is His love
Everlasting is His love
Everlasting is His love

Day 21 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – Shakin’ Hands

In my imagination I see God walking through a door of an old barn, while a person (maybe me, maybe you) is walking through a door on the opposite side of the barn. The two keep walking closer together and then God reaches out His hand to greet the person – they shake hands and start a conversation. That represents God greeting humankind.

Then I see God showing up in Xenia, Ohio (my hometown) and finding me there and we again shake hands and have a great conversation.
Then again at the Pearl Street when I’m older and living/working just off the mall…there could be a lot of verses written about all the various places where God has greeted me in my life.

This version of today’s whisper is an old recording of me singing “Shaking Hands” a cappella—- not too long ago Trailand added some guitar. Not an easy task on his part, as my tempo flows a bit much to merit anyone playing along with any ease—but he did great! Can’t wait to hear this song with several acoustic players and other singers joining in – making me sound good.

– Doug

Shakin’ Hands

_{Words and Music by Douglas C. Eltzroth}

Over in Bethlehem in a little cattle stall
I saw God and Mankind, they were shakin’ hands
Over in Bethlehem in a little cattle stall
I saw God and Humanity shakin’ hands

Up in Ohio, in my home town
I saw God and Mankind, they were shakin’ hands
Up in Ohio, in my home town
I saw God and Humanity shakin’ hands

Over in Boulder, near the Pearl Street Mall
I saw God and Mankind, they were shakin’ hands
Over in Boulder, near the Pearl Street Mall
I saw God and Humanity shakin’ hands

Kind of like the first-time meeting of true lovers at first sight
Kind of like a family reunion at the Holiday time
Kind of like a surprise greeting of two long lost friends
A whole lotta hugin’, lot of kissin’, lot of embrassing going on

Over in Bethlehem in a little cattle stall
I saw God and Mankind, they were shakin’ hands
Over in Bethlehem in a little cattle stall
I saw God and Humanity shakin’ hands
I saw God and Humanity shakin’ hands

Day 20 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – Jesus Alone

Jesus Alone, is the song I used to close my annual Christmas concerts for about 6 years… Even though this song doesn’t speak of the “Christmas” season or the birth of the Jesus story, it does speak about the Incarnation for sure. It speaks of salvation for sure. It speaks of what the title says it will speak about – Jesus alone is Savior of the world.

This recording was made a few years ago – it’s just me messing around with the sounds on my keyboard – I played it for Trailand ‘cause it might help him decide on the direction we can take this song when we make the Re-Visitation album.

Let me know what ya think of the song – your feedback and comments are helpful

– Doug

Jesus Alone

_{Lyric and music by Douglas C. Eltzroth}

Chorus:

Jesus alone, He is enough
Jesus alone, is the beginning and the end
Jesus alone, is my first love
I’m going’ back returning home to Him

Sin can make you pay more than you wanna pay
Sin can take you further than you wanna go
Sin can keep you longer than you wanna stay
Who can pay the debt
Who can take me home
Who can make amends my sin atone
Jesus alone

(chorus)

Sin can show you much more than you wanna see
Sin can teach you much more than you wanna know
Sin can make you much less than you wanna be
Who can heal my eyes
Wash away regrets
Who forgives and all my sin forgets
Jesus alone

Jesus alone
Only Jesus only
Only Jesus alone

(Repeat)

He is enough
Jesus alone
He is enough
Jesus alone

Day 19 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – Do Not Be Afraid

Suedale Schierman (one of my favorite artists to create with) once gave me the two verses to today’s song, “Do Not Be Afraid”. I wrote the chorus, together we made a few tweaks and then the song has mostly just existed in my file cabinet for years.

The lead sheet has been posted below as I think some of you might wanna sing this song to other people who need to hear God say, “Do Not Be Afraid”.

Do Not Be Afraid

_{Words by Douglas C. Eltzroth and Suedale Schierman
Music by Douglas C. Eltzroth}

Chorus

Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid for God is near you
He heard your prayer
You have found favor with the Savior of the world
Do not be afraid I bring you good news
God is here
Do not be Afraid

Verse 1

A young girl with a baby son
Ponders how his life’s begun
In a stable on a night so dark and cold
Now she’s told that they should hide
‘cause wild threats are by her side
So she holds on to her child fights back the tears
And then she hears

(chorus)

Years have passed and here we are
I ponder thoughts in my own heart
In a cruel world with its nights so dark and cold
I also fear that I should hide
‘cause wild threats are by my side
So I hold on to my children fight back the tears
And then I hear

(chorus)

Do not be afraid…

Day 18 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – A Shepherd’s Tale

Here’s another ‘whisper‘ from the 37 Days of Christmas that we originally released in 2019/2020. Whisper is a term that my dad uses to describe his songs that are recordings in progress. Here’s what he wrote about Shepherd’s Tale.

“This song is exactly what the title implies – it’s a tale; based on a true story, but full of imagination and poetic liberties. It’s fun! — If you want the accurate version, I recommend you read Luke 2 which inspired this Tale.”

So, if you haven’t already, go read Luke 2 this Christmas season.

– Trailand

A Shepherd’s Tale

_{Words and music by Douglas C. Eltzroth}

I was watching moonlight sparkle in the dew drops on the grass,
I was watching the horizon for the day.

We were watching over sheep all night and they were sleeping fast
Trying to find new ways to stay awake.

it made no rhyme or reason
‘cause it was simply not the season
Fall began descending down the mountain slope
and it looked like stars were falling then we heard each of them calling
Then the fall burst into flame and then it spoke:

It said put away your fear boys,
I’ve got something good to say
I think you’d best sit down there by your stock;

The news is so unnerving I’m afraid that you might faint,
It’s bizarre enough I think that you might laugh

In the city of your King inside your next door neighbor’s barn
something happened and the world will never be the same

Earlier this evening unto you a child was born,
He’s the Messiah, and Jesus is His name.

Glory in the highest, peace down here on Earth.
Glory in the highest, peace down here on Earth.

Glory in the highest and salvation on the Earth,
there is peace to anybody who believes it.
Glory in the highest and salvation on the Earth,
there is peace to anybody who believes it.

We went running down the same road that we walked on many times,
found them in the stable just like he said we would.

Well I humbly made an entrance and asked if we might take a vote
Cause like this never happens in our neighborhood.

That made the boy then smile and he said “sure you can stay awhile,
but you must tell me every detail every part”
So the menfolk told their stories about angels about glories
She just sat there with her hand upon her heart.

Then she sang Glory in the highest, peace down here on Earth.
Glory in the highest, peace down here on Earth.

Glory in the highest and salvation on the Earth,
there is peace to anybody who believes it.
Glory in the highest and salvation on the Earth,
there is peace to anybody who believes it.

I remembered angels in the field keeping their watch over my flock
So I thought that it was time we should return.

It was just the way we left them, Gabriel sitting there on the rock
So I told him everything that I had learned.

I said I’d seen the savior but I’d still like one more favor,
and I promise not to keep you very long,
But I sure did like that chorus, would you sing it once more for us,
And I’d like to know if I could sing a-long.

Glory in the highest, peace down here on Earth.
Glory in the highest, peace down here on Earth.

Glory in the highest and salvation on the Earth,
there is peace to anybody who believes it.
Glory in the highest and salvation on the Earth,
there is peace to anybody who believes it.

Day 17 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – The Conversation

The word “conversation” has changed in nuance of meaning over the centuries. Currently it refers to “a talk, especially informal one, between two or more people, in which news and ideas are exchanged”. It used to imply more “living together, being familiar with – keeping company”. For example: in the passage of Scripture from the King James Version where it says, “let your conversation be seasoned with salt” it implies more of a sense of letting our “life-style” be seasoned with salt, not just words.

A couple of years ago, Trailand set up a camera and we made a simple recording on an old piano, while I was wearing an old sweater, singing with my old voice – to tell an old story of an old “conversation” that God has been having with us throughout the millenniums. A conversation of engagement, Him expressing His desire to live among us. And no greater clarity of that desire was ever articulated than the use of God’s expression through The Word-Jesus.

Hopefully, this song “The Conversation” will help tell this ongoing conversation. Enjoy!

– Doug

The Conversation

^{Words and music by Douglas C. Eltzroth}

Verse 1

There was a movement in the heart within the Father up in Heaven
It caused a movement in the womb within a woman on the earth
It was a conversation filled with every word that God had spoken
And the words were wrapped in flesh through human birth

Chorus 1

And the Child grew so we could know the letter of the Law
And the Children grew so we could know the spirit of it all
The conversation filled with every word that God had spoken
The words were wrapped in flesh through human birth

Verse 2

There is a movement in the heart within the Savior up in Heaven
That causes movement in the souls within Believers in this room
It is a conversation filled with every word that God is speaking
Of the manger, of the cross, and the empty tomb

Chorus 2

Yes, the Child died so we could know the letter of the Law
And then the Child rose so we could know the spirit of it all
This conversation filled with every word that God is speaking
Of the manger, of the cross, and the empty tomb

Bridge

Hear the intonations of Creator’s favorite songs
When the Angels and all creation go out caroling along
Believers and the Savior are remembering the day
When God dialogued with man, walked and talked upon this land
You could hear the love spoken through inflections of each and every phrase

Ending Chorus

It was a conversation filled with every word that God has spoken
The words are wrapped in flesh,
Delivered to us fresh
The Word wrapped up in flesh through human birth

Day 16 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – Light of Heaven

Today we return to listening to “whispers of songs” that sing directly about the Visitation of Jesus to earth. The songs for the next 11 days will take us to Christmas Day…these songs are the songs that are going on our new album being released before Christmas 2025. (The Visitation was released in 1988 and The Re-Visitation will be released in 2025 with a few repeats but mostly new songs)

Light of Heaven serves well as a song for Advent.

It was written to use during the lighting of the Advent Candles – over the years we have sung it on each Sunday of Advent and during our Christmas Eve’s candle lighting service. Before Advent Season, we will have a recording and sheet music and a guide on how to use this song. As for now there’s a simple lead sheet available at the 37 Days of Christmas website.

– Doug

Light of Heaven

_{Words and music by Douglas C. Eltzroth}

Verse 1

People sat in darkness hope was buried from their sight
Light of Heaven filled the darkness hope became alive
Light of Heaven come and light my life
People sat too weak to move, their face in trembling hands
Light of Heaven filled their hearts thus gave the power to stand
Light of Heaven come and fill my life

Bridge:

At first the glory of the Lord will make the heart afraid
The Light reveals the News so good it loves all fear away
Light of Heaven come and light my life

Verse 2

As a symbol light the candle, vision fills the air
Light of Heaven come and light my life
Light of Heaven spreads His glory ‘round us everywhere
Light of Heaven come and light my life
Light of Heaven has become the Light of Earth we’re told
Light of Heaven come and fill the heart, the mind, the soul
Light of Heaven come and fill my life
Light of Heaven come and fill my life