The Christmas Story with Christmas Music by DDPraz Studio

Our favorite Bible verses for Christmas ... and our favorite Christmas music.

We will interrupt the series of articles we've begun about God's authentication of His Word to share the news of our latest release.  In November, 2010, D-D-Praz released their debut album, “D-D-Praz Christmas” – a 13 song compilation, modern Electronica arrangements of medleys of traditional and Classical Christmas music.  This year, DDPraz Studio re-releases 5 of the most popular tracks from that debut, remastered and available as mp3 downloads from most major eStores.
  

“Christmas music of the Future”

1.    Medieval Carol in Baraque – c2009, D-D-Praz Christmas (2010), remastered for Christmas Favs (2013).  Transcription for synth orchestra based on 3 “ancient” Christmas melodies.  The introduction is the Medieval melody “Ihr lieben Hirten” (their dear shepherd), a choral arrangement by Andreas Hammerschmidt (Bohemia, early 1600’s).  Next in the medley follows Bach’s organ prelude “In dulci jublio” (1600’s), a piece traditionally played at Christmas Mass.  From this Bach tune we get the contemporary hymn “Good Christian Men Rejoice.”  The final movement in this medley is a variation on the French carol, “Josep est bein marie” (late 1600’s) – our interpretation from a score by M.R. de Lalande.

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means “God with us”).” – Matthew 1:18-23

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. . . . And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.   And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’ . . . When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” – Luke 2

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. . . . He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:1-14

2.    El Nino del Tambor – c2008, D-D-Praz Christmas (2010), remastered for Christmas Favs (2013). One of Michael’s favorite Christmas tunes, an original arrangement merging more of the “new and old.” The melody originates from a Czech carol, “Carol of the Drum,” but today can be recognized as “Little Drummer Boy;” made popular by a 1958 arrangement by Jack Halloran. Today, in Mexico, this tune is commonly played for traditional, Latino Catholic Christmas processions.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ . . . Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:1-11

3.    Club House Carol – c2008, D-D-Praz Christmas (2010), remastered for Christmas Favs (2013).  A non-traditional mix for the medley of two traditional carols: “Ding Dong Merrily on High” and “Carol of the Bells.” This track has been described as the “Christmas carol of the future,” and “sure to be a favorite for years to come.” Moriah said, “Do it techno” – and we got carried away.  Despite our thrill with arranging this piece as EDM; it is tradition that has assured us these melodies are favored for years to come !!!

“Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying, ‘ Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased’ [men of goodwill, of His favor].” – Luke 2:13-14

“And there shall come forth a Shoot out of the stock of Jesse [David’s father], and a Branch out of his roots shall grow and bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord — and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.” – Isaiah 11:1-3

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7

4.    Raskabino Divine – c2009, D-D-Praz Christmas (2010), remastered for Christmas Favs (2013).

Variations on “Il est n le divin enfant,” a traditional French Christmas carol.  This is one of Moriah’s favorite carols, thus the Euro-techno segments near the end.  This is perhaps the best known traditional French carol, and is believed to have medieval origins from the region of Provence.  The melody was first printed in 1554, in a collection of French carols, “La Grande Bible des Noels.”

“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].” – Isaiah 7:14

“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words . . . But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.’
‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” – Luke 1:26-35

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. . . . It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. . . . When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’ The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.'” – Luke 2:25-35

5.    Morning Star in David's City – D-D-Praz Christmas (c2010), remastered for Christmas Favs (2013).  This medley is another merger of different centuries, from different Christmas’s past. “Once in David’s Royal City,” by HJ Gauntlett, is one of few Christmas carols totally British in origin. This naturally merged with “Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern,” JS Bach, Cantata (BWV 1) – a popular, Classical, Christmas music work to present.

“And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.'” – Luke 2:10-12

“But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, you are little to be among the clans of Judah; yet out of you shall One come forth for Me Who is to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from ancient days (eternity).” – Micah 5:2

“And we have the prophetic word made firmer still. You will do well to pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal (squalid and dark) place, until the day breaks through the gloom and the Morning Star rises (comes into being) in your hearts.” – 2 Peter 1:19

Jesus says: “I am the Root (the Source) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and brilliant Morning Star.” – Revelation 22:16