Christmas Countdown with Matt Wertz

Amidst the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas, singer/songwriter Matt Wertz is helping listeners to slow down and take time to reflect on the real reason for this season with his latest album, Snow Globe.  For more about Matt Wertz, check out http://www.mattwertz.com

What do you enjoy most about Christmas?  

Being with my family – there’s such a warmth and safety about being back home. I love the memories and also creating new ones.  It’s so fun digging out old photo albums or digging through the closet in my old bedroom, which still has stuff from my childhood in it — just to relive some of my life.

As I’ve gotten older, the emphasis has gotten away from the gifts that I would get and is now more about giving gifts to others.  Every once in a while, I come up with a creative gift idea and I love giving those gifts to my family.  I just love having all my family under one roof.

What’s your favorite Christmas food?

You know those little cookies where they put a Hershey’s Kiss or a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in the middle – those!!! Especially, the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup ones!  I know it’s not a full meal, but I love them!

What’s your favorite Christmas carol?

“O Holy Night” – I put it on the album, and I love how this song captures the sentiment and wonder of Bethlehem.

What’s your favorite Christmas album (besides your own)?

The first Amy Grant Christmas album.  I have the actual record on vinyl, and I love playing it throughout this season.

What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

Home Alone – just because that movie was so big when I was growing up.

Are you the type of person who likes to peek at your presents or do you hold out?

When I was a child, I totally peeked! I remember when I was probably about 6 years old, going downstairs before anyone else was awake and unwrapping presents with my name on it and then wrapping them back up as discreetly as possible so no one could tell!  But I have such a strong conscience that I’m sure I told my parents at some point during the day about what I did….

Now days, I want to be as surprised as possible!  I steer clear of all possible hiding spots!

What do you want for Christmas this year?

There are two things that I currently want, but they are really boring.  I want some red hiking boot laces. I got a new pair of hiking boots, so I want to put some red laces on them.  I also want the biography on Steve Jobs.  You can tell Santa that’s what I’m asking for….

Christmas Countdown with Sean Spicer and Michael Milton

Singer/songwriter Michael Milton and guitarist Sean Spicer stopped by to share their favorite Christmas memories and traditions.

 

 

 

 

 

What’s your favorite?

- Christmas food:
Michael: Mincemeat Pie
Sean: Turkey and stuffing

- Christmas tradition:
Michael: Christmas Eve Communion (and my wife’s corn casserole)
Sean: Eating Christmas dinner with family

- Christmas movie:
Michael: It’s a Wonderful Life
Sean: A Christmas Carol

What do you enjoy most about Christmas?

Michael: The festivities that point to the doctrine of the Incarnation and the exposure of the human heart’s need for a Messiah; this is the perfect opportunity to present Jesus.

Sean: Seeing the excitement my daughter has.

Share one of your favorite Christmas memories.

Michael: I think back of being a child, going out into the woods, in south Louisiana, to cut down a pine, and dragging it to a very humble home. There, an older widow woman and an orphan boy, set it up, and then enjoyed the sense of mystery and the very scent of glory in our 100-year-old home.

Sean: Christmas Eve sitting around the fireplace

Are you the type of person who likes to peek at your presents before Christmas morning, or do you hold out?

Michael: Well, I can hold out…but I love to hint to my wife. I often give the surprise away! No one in our family trusts me with secrets!

Sean: Hold out.

What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?

Michael: I cherish the quietness and stillness of Christmas and the days following in which we read, enjoy board games, rest, and frequently take a little trip back to Kansas City for a few days. Then, we go see the lights at the Plaza, and worship with the church we planted there.

Sean: My 4 old year daughter opening gifts.

What are your plans for 2012?

Michael: Listen. Learn. Love.

Sean: Relax and spend time with family.

Christmas Countdown with Mosaic

Mosaic is made up of five musicians who met while studying at Belmont University in Nashville.  Although they all came from different parts of the country and had distinctly different musical backgrounds and tastes, they quickly realized they shared a common desire to communicate the truth of God’s Word through songs.

For more information on Mosaic, check out http://www.mosaicworship.com

We recently caught up with them to find out their favorite Christmas traditions and memories!

Favorite Traditions:

One of our favorite holiday traditions as a group is to hold an annual secret Santa among the members of Mosaic. Considering that there are only five of us and the fact that we are around each other almost constantly, pulling of secret Santa is a bit of a challenge. But the challenge is what makes it so much fun because we have to be VERY secretive and sneaky.

Favorite Christmas Carol:

Our favorite Christmas song has got to be “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” for a few different reasons. The most obvious reason is that this particular song is what started Mosaic in the first place. We were really just a group of college friends that had met together to eat a Christmas dinner before our Christmas break. We decided to start singing some songs together and came up with a version of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” that was full of six part harmony. That night we decide to record a Christmas album as a group over that next year before graduating from school.

The recording was meant to just be for us and our families, but the Christmas album that formed from that night ended up being Mosaic’s first album. So, this song played a crucial part in guiding us toward the ministry that God had prepared for us. Also, over the last few years of singing the song, we have come to really treasure the content and cry of longing for the Savior to come. It is a great reminder of the longing God’s people felt before the birth of Christ, and that longing is echoed in our hearts as we cry and long for His return.

Favorite Christmas Album:

Andrew Peterson is a favorite amongst all of the Mosaic members. We all especially love his Christmas album titled “Behold the Lamb of God.”

Favorite Christmas Food:

We are big fans of food, but the girls of Mosaic especially love sweets! Christmas is a great excuse to eat more sweets than usual and to try tasty new or rare treats, so our girls make sure and take advantage of that time.

What do we enjoy most about Christmas?

It’s a great time to learn and/or remind yourself about the joy of giving. The Father gave us His Son and the grace displayed through Christ is also a gift from the Father to us. It’s something we didn’t deserve and we didn’t earn it, but He gave His Son to us and for us simply because He is good. It’s an awesome thing to remember during this season. Sometimes traditions can make us feel entitled, which isn’t their intent. Traditions are meant to remind us. That’s why we love the tradition of giving gifts, because it serves as a great reminder that our Father gave us the best and most glorious gift.

Favorite Christmas memory:

Mosaic really has two favorite Christmas memories. We all attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN and as Christmas of 2008 approached we were at that time simply a group of friends that decided to get together and share a Christmas meal. At that small dinner party we all started playing music and singing harmonies together for the first time. That night we came up with our album arrangement of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” It was that Christmas that we decided to make an album together as friends, though we had no idea that it would lead to the official formation of Mosaic. The next Christmas was equally as special because we finished our first album together (which happened to be a Christmas album) and we went on our first Christmas tour as a group. Since we each come from a different state, we ended up just visiting the churches we knew and had relationships with at our homes, but it ended up being a full three week tour a fun beginning of our journey that we will never forget.

Do you peek at presents or wait?

We all like the surprise and fun of opening gifts with our family and friends. Part of the fun of giving and receiving gifts is seeing and experiencing the reactions as gifts are opened.

What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?

We are always really excited about our Christmas tour and this year is no different. We’ve been practicing Christmas music for a good while now and we are excited to share new arrangements as we travel around. Christmas is our busiest time as a group and so, as fun as it really is, we are always excited when the tour ends and we get to go see our families and take a small break from travel.

Plans for 2012?

Our plans are to continue in the ministry that God has given us. We are currently booking to fill up our schedule in 2012. Devon Graves, one of our members is actually going to be taking a sabbatical of sorts for a short time because she is actually going to go get married in France this June. The rest of the group will continue traveling and playing during that time, but we are excited because all of Mosaic will be attending the wedding in France next June. Also, there is talk of maybe starting a new album (or two) in the Fall of 2012. It’s going to be an exciting year.

Christmas Countdown with John Schlitt

 

Legendary recording artist John Schlitt – solo artist, lead singer for Grammy Award-winning Christian band Petra and former lead singer for mainstream rock band Head East – participated in our Christmas Countdown last year and has returned for more Christmas fun!

 

What’s your favorite?

- Christmas food:  turkey or ham
- Christmas tradition:  having my whole family, including kids & grandkids, over for Christmas dinner
- Christmas carol:  “O Holy Night”
- Christmas movie: Elf  & National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

What do you enjoy most about Christmas?

The opportunity for my family to get together, to eat, have fun and enjoy the time

Share one of your favorite Christmas memories.

I don’t have a specific memory, but I love taking pictures at our family gatherings. It’s like making up for lost time when we capture the moment. It’s neat to have those to look at later on.

Are you the type of person who likes to peek at your presents before Christmas morning, or do you hold out?  

No, don’t like to peek. That ruins the surprise.

What do you want for Christmas this year?

10 million dollars, tax free!

What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?

Relaxing at home, being with the grandkids and having all my children together in one place.

What are your plans for 2012?

I’m looking forward to having a new CD out early in the year called “The Greater Cause.” I’m working on worldwide distribution, and I’ll be looking to tour internationally as well.

Christmas Countdown: Special Edition #2

With only a few days left until Christmas, you never know who might participate in the Christmas Countdown!

Today’s guests include: Matt Papa, Tiffany Lee (aka Plumb), Dana Jorgenson, and B Haley (Drummer for Toby Mac, member of SuperHerose and the creator of the top-selling t-shirt line in Christian Stores: B It!)

What’s your favorite?

* Christmas food:

Matt Papa

Matt: Chick-fil-a peppermint milkshake

Plumb: Corn pudding

Dana: Turkey

B Haley: My mom’s dressing and chocolate cake

* Christmas tradition:

Matt: Watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Plumb: Cutting down our tree the day after Thanksgiving together at the same farm every year.  It’s a whole day event that sets the bar for the holiday season for our family.

Dana: Christmas Eve – big family get together

B Haley: Christmas in St. Louis

* Christmas carol:

Matt: “O Come O Come Emmanuel”

Plumb: “O Holy Night”

Dana: “Hark the herald angels sing”

* Christmas album:

Matt: Handel’s Messiah by the London symphony

Dana: Michael Buble – Let It Snow

B Haley: TobyMac Diversecity Christmas

* Christmas movie:

Matt: Christmas Vacation

Plumb: It’s A Wonderful Life

Dana: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

B Haley: A Christmas Story

What do you enjoy most about Christmas?

Matt: The music — especially the non-cheesy kind! Most of it is jazz-influenced, intricate, and brilliant!

Plumb: The time spent together as a family, serving others.

Dana: Food and family

B Haley: Giving to others

Share one of your favorite Christmas memories.

Matt: Seeing my wife’s face when she saw a puppy under the tree.

Dana: Our family found a family who was spending Christmas at the hospital with their sick kid. We went out and bought gifts and a whole turkey dinner. We showed up at the hospital and surprised them. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

B Haley: When I got my first Snare Drum at the age of 3

B Haley

Are you the type of person who likes to peek at your presents before Christmas morning, or do you hold out?

Matt: Yes, I peek…

Dana: No peeking — the surprise and build up is all the fun!

Plumb: Hold out!  Don’t want to ruin the surprise!!

B Haley: Hold out!

What do you want for Christmas this year?

Matt: To play in the snow with my daughter Paisley

Dana: Well, I got a “new to me” truck this year. So I am hoping for a few things to add to it

What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?

Matt: Hanging out with my family

Dana: Being home in Canada with family and having a white Christmas.

B Haley: Giving and spending time with my family.

What are your plans for 2012?

Matt: I’ll be heading to India twice, touring with my band, probably recording a new record and taking seminary classes.

Plumb

Plumb: Like various random New Years’ before me, there is that ‘I want to get in better shape’ deal.  But this time, it’s much different.  My husband was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this year – so we are on a pretty intense health regimen in how we eat and exercise.  2012 holds a goal of a new kind of healthy for our family.

Dana: I have lots of tours and travel booked for 2012. Most importantly, I am excited to become a first time dad this spring!

B Haley: To do everything better than 2011…to B ALL that God has called me to B!

Christmas Countdown with Manafest

Canadian hip-hop artist Manafest helps the Sound Opinion “wrap up” this year’s Christmas Countdown!

 

* Favorite Christmas Food: Would have to be the cookies my sister bakes each year 

* Christmas Tradition: Going to my uncle Dave’s on boxing day for breakfast. He makes the best keesh in the world!
 
* Christmas Carol: Holy Night plus dozens more…. 
 
* Christmas Album: Kenneth Copeland Home for Christmas
 
* Christmas Movie: The Family Man
 
* What do you enjoy most about Christmas?  Being home with my wife and family
 
* Have you ever peeked at your presents before Christmas morning? Growing up I did a lot… but not anymore.  

 

For more about Manafest, check out www.manafest.net

Christmas Countdown with Kari Jobe

Kari Jobe, Dove Award-winning artist and worship leader at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, is helping to make a difference this holiday season by donating 100% of the proceeds of her Christmas album, Bethlehem, to The A21 Campaign, which is committed to rescuing women in the darkest corners of slavery. 

For more information about Kari Jobe and the Bethlehem CD, please visit www.karijobe.com. With just a few days left until we celebrate Christmas, Kari shares her Christmas favorites with The Sound Opinion!

* Favorite Christmas Food: Hot Chocolate, Apple Cider, and of course, Christmas Cheez-its

* Christmas Tradition: Family Christmas dinner and worship time with family and friends

* Christmas Carol: O Holy Night

* Christmas Album: Josh Groban

* Christmas Movie: Home Alone/Lost in New York

* What do you enjoy most about Christmas? White lighted Christmas trees, fireplace blazing, sipping on hot chocolate, family time, and worshipping my King!!

* Have you ever peeked at your presents before Christmas morning? No!! You can get in big trouble for doing that….ok maybe a couple of times?

Christmas Countdown with 39 Stripes

Mike Wilson and Ray Schurr from the Christian rock band 39 Stripes are helping The Sound Opinion countdown the days until Christmas! For more about 39 Stripes, please visit www.thirtyninestripes.com

– Lead singer Mike Wilson shares his favorites things about this season!

* Favorite Christmas Food:  Homemade eggs benedict Christmas morning!

* Christmas Tradition: We put up and decorate our tree on “black Friday.” We also make homemade cookies every year!

* Christmas Carol: “O Holy Night”

* Christmas Album: Bing Crosby or Josh Groban

* Christmas Movie:  “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and “Scrooged” with Bill Murray are both up there. Obviously, “Charlie Brown Christmas,” ” How The Grinch Stole Christmas”-original, are classics!

* What do you enjoy most about Christmas?  Being with family! The smell of the tree, comfort food, nativity scenes, advent Sundays at church…it is my FAVORITE holiday season! Thank you Jesus!

 * Have you ever peeked at your presents before Christmas morning?  When I was a kid I was practically a surgeon with an exacto knife around Christmas. Mom and Dad if you read this…Chris made me do it!

– Bass player Ray Schurr shares his Christmas favorites!

* Favorite Christmas Food: Smoked Ham

* Christmas Tradition: Opening presents on Christmas Eve

* Christmas Carol: “Jingle Bell Rock”

* Christmas Album: Bing Crosby “White Christmas”

* Christmas Movie: “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”

* What do you enjoy most about Christmas? Seeing my family happy

* Have you ever peeked at your presents before Christmas morning? Oh yeah! When I was 12 years old, I got the Monopoly game. J

 

Christmas Countdown with John Schlitt

Legendary recording artist John Schlitt – solo artist, lead singer for Grammy Award-winning Christian band Petra and former lead singer for mainstream rock band Head East — joins the Sound Opinion’s Christmas Countdown!

* Favorite Christmas Food:  My wife’s legendary Christmas breakfast casserole with homemade cinnamon rolls!

* Christmas Tradition: Laughing together as we watch Chevy Chase “Christmas Vacation” for the 150th time!  Going to the 11 p.m. Christmas Eve service at our church.

* Christmas Carol:  O Holy Night

* Christmas Album:  The Christmas Chipmunks Album

* Christmas Movie:  “Christmas Vacation” and “It’s A Wonderful Life!”

* What do you enjoy most about Christmas?  Having all four of our grown children and five grandchildren at our home and spending time together with them…

* Have you ever peeked at your presents before Christmas morning? No, I couldn’t find them!

For more info about John Schlitt, please visit www.johnwschlitt.com.

Christmas Countdown with Me In Motion

The Christmas Countdown is movin’, groovin’ and rockin’ with Seth Mosley from the Christian rock band Me in Motion.

* Favorite Christmas Food: Gingerbread cookies and hot cider

* Christmas Tradition: Christmas Eve church service, then going home and hanging out/eating snacks with family and watching a classic Christmas movie.

* Christmas Carol: O Holy Night

* Christmas Album: Vince Guaraldi Trio — Charlie Brown Christmas

* Christmas Movie: A Christmas Story

* What do you enjoy most about Christmas? Being with family and not thinking about work.

* Have you ever peeked at your presents before Christmas morning? Yes. Once I snuck downstairs at 3 A.M. when I was about 10 years old to take a peek. I was startled when I looked over by the tree to see what I thought was my dad standing there, so I freaked out and ran back upstairs to my room. When I got up Christmas morning, I found out that it was a life-size Michael Jordan standup.

For more about Me in Motion, please visit www.meinmotion.com.

Be sure to pick up Bethlehem Skyline, Vol. 2 (Centricity) featuring Me in Motion, Downhere, Jason Gray, Andrew Peterson, Sixteen Cities, Matt Papa, High Valley and Lanae’ Hale.