Judicial Watch Christmas Message 2016
Christmas 2016 finds us in many ways a divided nation.
We have just come through an unusually contentious election. And, in fact, many consider the past eight years to have been some of the most divisive in American history.
So, at a time like this, it may be best to step back from the events and issues that divide us and focus our hearts and minds on the uncommon bonds that unite us.
As we do, I am reminded of one of my favorite stories from Christmas past… A story that proves anew that the essential message of Christmas – “Hail the newborn Prince of Peace” – remains today as powerful as it is poignant, as timely as it is timeless. It’s the tale of a truce … a brief, fleeting truce … that turned a World War I field of fire into a pageant of peace. As Time magazine reported it several years ago:
On a crisp, clear morning 100 years ago, thousands of British, Belgian and French soldiers put down their rifles, stepped out of their trenches and spent Christmas mingling with their German enemies along the Western front.
***
Most accounts suggest the truce began with carol singing from the trenches onChristmas Eve, “a beautiful moonlit night, frost on the ground, white almost everywhere”, as Pvt. Albert Moren of the Second Queens Regiment recalled, in a document later rounded up by the New York Times. Graham Williams of the Fifth London Rifle Brigade described it in even greater detail:
“First the Germans would sing one of their carols and then we would sing one of ours, until when we started up ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ the Germans immediately joined in singing the same hymn to the Latin words Adeste Fideles. And I thought, well, this is really a most extraordinary thing – two nations both singing the same carol in the middle of a war.”
The next morning, in some places, German soldiers emerged from their trenches, calling out “Merry Christmas” in English. Allied soldiers came out warily to greet them. In others, Germans held up signs reading “You no shoot, we no shoot.” Over the course of the day, troops exchanged gifts of cigarettes, food, buttons and hats. The Christmas truce also allowed both sides to finally bury their dead comrades, whose bodies had lain for weeks on “no man’s land,” the ground between opposing trenches.
I believe you will agree that there is a lesson to be learned there – an enduring lesson that transcends the temporal and, especially at this time of year, elevates us above the trials and traumas that so often beset us. It is the Christmas message of “Peace on earth,” that caused the bloodied and battered Allied and German soldiers to lay aside their enmity and arms and “sing in exultation … joyful and triumphant.”
Truly, as Rifleman Graham Williams wrote, the spirit of Christmas “is really a most extraordinary thing.” And as I have said in each of the past several years, there is one particularly extraordinary Christmas message that should give us indomitable courage even in these troubling times. It’s from Isaiah 9:6, and it defines the hope that lies within us all: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given – and the government shall be upon his shoulders. ”
Ultimately, man’s power is limited on this Earth, contrary to what some politicians and their antecedents might try to tell you. And even in the most dire of times, we rest secure in the words of one of my favorite Christmas carols, “the wrong shall fail, the right prevail.”
Merry Christmas to you and yours from RAY KIKER and a Happy New Year.
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Ray Kiker / Blog
Spotlite song for febuary
SPOTLITE SONG Sneek peek! Be the first to hear our SPOTLITE song for Febuary. “IN GOD WE STILL TRUST”. http://store.cdbaby.com/cd/kiker5 A few years ago this song was #1 on the Country Gospel charts. Its a rendition of the singer walking up to the mike at a very large concert. The crowd noise is almost too much to hear the singers voice. Diamond Reo Band made the song popular. However, Mike McClain’s studio here in Dallas, Texas put the music together. Take a listen and enjoy one of our best recordings. Till then, Ray
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Ray, I think you live a few blocks from me. My fiancé was a singer/songwriter in Nashville many years ago. He is starting to write songs again. Maybe the two of you could get together, and you could explain to him what all reverbnation does.
CHRISTMAS
Judicial Watch Christmas Message 2016 Christmas 2016 finds us in many ways a divided nation.
We have just come through an unusually contentious election. And, in fact, many consider the past eight years to have been some of the most divisive in American history.
So, at a time like this, it may be best to step back from the events and issues that divide us and focus our hearts and minds on the uncommon bonds that unite us.
As we do, I am reminded of one of my favorite stories from Christmas past… A story that proves anew that the essential message of Christmas – “Hail the newborn Prince of Peace” – remains today as powerful as it is poignant, as timely as it is timeless. It’s the tale of a truce … a brief, fleeting truce … that turned a World War I field of fire into a pageant of peace. As Time magazine reported it several years ago:
On a crisp, clear morning 100 years ago, thousands of British, Belgian and French soldiers put down their rifles, stepped out of their trenches and spent Christmas mingling with their German enemies along the Western front.
***
Most accounts suggest the truce began with carol singing from the trenches onChristmas Eve, “a beautiful moonlit night, frost on the ground, white almost everywhere”, as Pvt. Albert Moren of the Second Queens Regiment recalled, in a document later rounded up by the New York Times. Graham Williams of the Fifth London Rifle Brigade described it in even greater detail:
“First the Germans would sing one of their carols and then we would sing one of ours, until when we started up ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ the Germans immediately joined in singing the same hymn to the Latin words Adeste Fideles. And I thought, well, this is really a most extraordinary thing – two nations both singing the same carol in the middle of a war.”
The next morning, in some places, German soldiers emerged from their trenches, calling out “Merry Christmas” in English. Allied soldiers came out warily to greet them. In others, Germans held up signs reading “You no shoot, we no shoot.” Over the course of the day, troops exchanged gifts of cigarettes, food, buttons and hats. The Christmas truce also allowed both sides to finally bury their dead comrades, whose bodies had lain for weeks on “no man’s land,” the ground between opposing trenches.
I believe you will agree that there is a lesson to be learned there – an enduring lesson that transcends the temporal and, especially at this time of year, elevates us above the trials and traumas that so often beset us. It is the Christmas message of “Peace on earth,” that caused the bloodied and battered Allied and German soldiers to lay aside their enmity and arms and “sing in exultation … joyful and triumphant.”
Truly, as Rifleman Graham Williams wrote, the spirit of Christmas “is really a most extraordinary thing.” And as I have said in each of the past several years, there is one particularly extraordinary Christmas message that should give us indomitable courage even in these troubling times. It’s from Isaiah 9:6, and it defines the hope that lies within us all: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given – and the government shall be upon his shoulders. ”
Ultimately, man’s power is limited on this Earth, contrary to what some politicians and their antecedents might try to tell you. And even in the most dire of times, we rest secure in the words of one of my favorite Christmas carols, “the wrong shall fail, the right prevail.” Merry Christmas to you and yours from RAY KIKER and a Happy New Year.
Reply
'FAITH OF THE HEART'
Exciting news: After weeks of hard work, I've finely released another great song. It came from the title track for 'STAR TREK ENTERPRISE', BUT THIS ONE IS COUNTRY! Be one of the first to hear and download a copy of this song. Go to http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayKiker my music site. Blessings, and have a great day. Ray
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SINGIN FOR NICKELS & DIMES
OUR NEW CD IS OUT! This is my pride and joy. It’s a musical greeting card with the 23nd Psalm just inside. It has a ‘Barcode’ for in store sales. Our new ‘Logo’ features our new home webpage with tons of information. The artwork is outstanding thanks to Angie Dubird. The album is due for release the first part of 2014. www.raykiker.com
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Dolly Parton
Dolly is one of my most trusted artist. She invites "Truth" everwhere she goes. Check out her thoughts on 'the boot'. http://www.theboot.com/tag/DollyParton/
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CD REVIEW BY PAUL DAVIS
CD REVIEW BY PAUL DAVIS RAY KIKER "IN GOD WE STILL TRUST" This great ”true-blue” country-gospel balladeer album is broad in appeal and most worth of a listen for its honest artistry. Ray’s memory chasing album draws widely for repertoire which is admirable as he musically runs through some familiar classic gems. The easy-style is engaging and gentle appealing to a large age-range. Entertaining and enlightening, he show classy high-promise and potential. Gentle-on-the-ear, he has a Cash-like style. His lyrical subjects have a heart-tugging quality which I enjoyed. The album is inspired and inspiring, delivered in simple, plaintive crooning quality and indeed could impress given adequate radio airplay. PAUL DAVIS www.pauldavisauthor.com www.newchristianmusic.co.uk
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'The Great Event'
“The Great Event” OK, now to my story: The highlight of my singing career was Oct, 2008 in Branson, Mo. We went there for the International Country Gospel Music Association’s annual convention. Singers and musicians from Canada, the Philippines, and many areas of the United States came to bond and renew friendships for one last fantastic event of the year. Billy Hale started the C.G.M.A, some fifteen years ago. We got to know each other early in his ministry. We both had songs on the National Gospel Charts at the same time. Billy Hale opened the convention, thanking everyone for coming great distances and their commitment to the organization. Then he said, “Is Ray Kiker here?” We were sitting on the second row; there was nowhere else to sit because the place was packed. “Get your tract and sing a song,” he said. I got up and ran toward the back of the theatre, half way back I realized it was going to take a while to go get my tract out of the car. I remembered the band that had been playing while seating was taking place and turned and ask Billy, “Can I sing with the band?” “Sure,” he said, and called the band members back on stage. Billy and I talked of our friendship and of our songs on the National Charts. I could hear each musician as they checked their instruments for sound. Then Billy just walked off the stage and left me there. I asked “Can I borrow a guitar?” I turned, and to my left was a row of six of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen. Someone in the audience said.”Take the one on the end!” I picked it up and ‘oh what a guitar’! I felt the sound man plugging in the patch cord to the guitar. I strummed and turned up the volume just right. Turning to the band I said, “Lets play some slow blues and at the chorus we’ll change to a four- four beat.” I began to sing, “My God Is Real”.I lifted the mike to my lips, “There are some things that I may not know,” I began, and then the lead player to my left played the most beautiful blues riffs I have ever heard. “There are some places I can’t go”, I sang. Then the lady on the keyboard played her four to five second run. “But I am sure of this one thing, My God is real for I can feel him in my soul”. Then, the drummer hit a four-four beat, and I could hear the rhythm of my guitar.”Yes my god is real, real in my soul, for he has washed and made me whole”. I sang. After the chorus and another verse, each musician took a ride. First the guitar lead to my left played a fast blues riff; I thought it was B B King himself! The Keyboard notes were so smooth it was like they were played by a harp from heaven, and the Steel Player, he made it cry! The Base made the sound of thunder, lighting would love. The Drummer kept the rhythm like a fast moving train at a railroad crossing. I asked the guitar lead to my right if he wanted to take a turn, I hadn’t heard him play and I wasn’t sure if he wanted to, he nodded and took his turn, he’d played that tune before!I came back with the third verse and chorus, by now the audience was clapping and singing along with me. I thought to myself, “I can’t end it here”.”Play another chorus”, I yelled, and they did. This was truly Rock and Roll Country Gospel Music! I ended it with the chorus and a stop ending. The blues riffs that came seemed like an eternity. The most enjoyable time of my life had to come to an end! I took off the guitar during the turnaround and placed the mike back on the stand. I waved to the audience,and exited the stage!
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