6900134 by Fontis-Shop

When I was a little child I longed for winter time I dreamed magical lights Wrapped tight around our tree Brought Christmas home to me Oh what a wonderful sight Can you see those magical lights? Held in the arms of A tree tall and bright Every evening Drawn to the glow of those lights We cut our Christmas tree It never occurred to me That tree gave up its life To hold our ornaments Shelter our presents To help us remember the Christ Can you see those beautiful lights? Held in the arms of A tree sacrificed Every evening We’re drawn to the glow of those lights

Each December On our longest nights In the darkness How we long for light For light . . . Come and see those Magical lights Held in the arms of A tree sacrificed Every evening We’re drawn to the glow of those lights Every evening They help us remember the Christ

Lead Vocal, Olson Acoustic Guitar: Brian Doerksen Guest Lead & Backing Vocalist: Marika Siewert Drums: Philip Janz Bass: Matt Weeks Olson Spruce Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Organ, Keyboards: Philip Janz Violin: Calvin Dyck Violin: Samuel Tsui Viola: Beth Nickel Cello: Sue Round String Arrangement: Philip Janz

Just before the silent night That radiant night, O holy night Just before the angel choir sang ‘Joy to the world’ Travellers rushing everywhere Scared to ﬁnd no room there Expectant couple turned away, Sent out in the dark After all your dreams have died A tiny seed can spring to life Hold on, the light is breaking through Don’t close your eyes Just because the world we see Has lost its heart, is cold and mean Just because the powerful oppress those in need Doesn’t mean the day won’t come When justice ﬂows for everyone So we wait in Advent hope just before dawn After all your dreams have died A tiny seed can spring to life Hold on, the light is breaking through Don’t close your eyes Hold on, love is here for you about to arrive Hold On . . . Hold on . . .

(Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on love is coming) Love is coming (Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on love is near) Love is near (Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on love is coming) Love is coming No need for fear Even when our dreams have died A tiny seed can spring to life Hold on, the light is breaking through Don’t close your eyes Hold on, love is here for you about to arrive Hold On . . . Just before our silent night, Christmas night, O Holy night Shoppers rushing everywhere To ﬁnd something more When everything we need was found Long ago in that little town Out of Bethlehem has come A Shepherd for all

Lead Vocal: Brian Doerksen Guest Lead & Backing Vocalist: Stephanie Esau of Coalmont Drums: Philip Janz Gibson 1943 Southerner Jumbo Acoustic, Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Keyboards, Drum & Bass Programming, Vocals: Philip Janz Children’s Choir: Members of PMCC (Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir); Danielle Bojkov, Madison Bonneville, Valeishka Cruz-Froese, Brooklyn Gerber, Joy Loewen, Anya Maffei, Fiona Rachel, Geneva Schut, Maggie Wilson & Marea Wright Tibetan (Singing) Bowls, Vibratone, Bells: Boris Sichon Violin: Calvin Dyck Violin: Samuel Tsui Viola: Beth Nickel Cello: Sue Round String Arrangement: Philip Janz

In the dust, in the dirt To us a child is born Here to save the human race He’s here to change our world

Open up, make Him room Every longing heart Jesus Christ has been born in you Emmanuel God is with us

Open up, make Him room Every broken heart Jesus wants to be born in you Emmanuel, God is with us

Open up, give Him praise Imperfect voices sing He has come to make all things new Emmanuel, God is with us

In our hope, in our hurt To us a child is born Full of grace full of truth He’s here to love our world

In the dust, in the dirt To us a child is born

Open up, give Him praise Imperfect voices sing He has come to make all things new Emmanuel, God is with us See His star, light the earth See heaven open wide Angels join salvation’s song We all proclaim the turning tide

Lead Vocal: Brian Doerksen Guest Vocalist: Marc James Drums: Philip Janz Bass: Matt Weeks Acoustic & Slide Guitars, Steel Guitar Solo: Marc James Acoustic & Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Rhodes, Keyboards: Philip Janz

T HE SE CO ND N OEL

Christmas is a time of hope When our faces gently glow We keep wishing for fresh snow Christmas is a time for hope Christmas is a time of love We come together as families We reach out with charity Christmas is a time for love Noel, all the children waiting for the Child Noel, Angels sing, their joyful tidings tell Noel (Noel) Noel (Noel) Noel Christmas is a time of peace When old divisions cease Even bitter hearts receive Christmas is a time for peace Christmas is a time of light As the candles softly burn Darkness yields as joy returns Christmas is a time of light Noel, all the children celebrate the Child Noel, when we hear them sing We trust all shall be well Noel (Noel) Noel (Noel) Noel Our expectant world is finally waking From its barren fearful night A baby born in Bethlehem, who changes every life Christmas is a time to sing, Sing with glad and thankful hearts

Songs that every year impart This is how the story starts Noel, all the children waiting for the Child Noel, Angels sing, their joyful tidings tell Noel, all the children celebrate the Child Noel, when we hear them sing we trust all shall be well Noel (Noel) Noel (Noel) Noel Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the king of Israel Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the king , Born is the king Born is the king of Israel Lead Vocal, Olson Acoustic Guitar: Brian Doerksen Drums: Philip Janz Bass: Matt Weeks Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Piano, Keyboards: Philip Janz Children’s Choir: Members of PMCC (Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir); Danielle Bojkov, Madison Bonneville, Valeishka Cruz-Froese, Brooklyn Gerber, Joy Loewen, Anya Maffei, Fiona Rachel, Geneva Schut, Maggie Wilson & Marea Wright Ocarina, Bells: Boris Sichon Violin: Calvin Dyck Violin: Samuel Tsui Viola: Beth Nickel Cello: Sue Round String & Choir Arrangement: Philip Janz

God is watching us, so some people say From interstellar distance, far, far away They cry ‘God is Great’ Beyond our reach and touch Too grand for comprehension Too pure to walk with us Thank goodness they’re wrong The Christ has come, the distance gone Emmanuel, God with us With all of us, He is love Emmanuel, a humble creche God at home, in human flesh You left your home behind And fully entered ours Beautiful yet broken, our world needs who You are You’ll show that God is love Our real prince of Peace With healing and forgiveness Even for your enemies Thank goodness You’re here We need you now, we need you near Emmanuel, God with us With all of us, He is love Emmanuel, a humble creche

God at home, in human flesh You didn’t stay away You came to earth a baby Emmanuel, God with us With all of us, He is love Emmanuel, a humble creche God at home, in human flesh

Lead Vocal, Olson Acoustic Guitar: Brian Doerksen Guest Vocalist: Brenda Janz Drums: Philip Janz Bass: Matt Weeks Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Theremin Programming, Keyboards, Vocals: Philip Janz Cello: Sue Round Cello Arrangement: Philip Janz

My mother, Agnes Unger Doerksen, died on November 14, 2013 after years of fighting a longterm illness rooted in complications from my birth. Six weeks later, on Christmas Day 2013, I walked over to the piano and this song tumbled out with tears. (It was the only song with original words that I wrote in a 5-year period of wordlessness from 2010 to 2015.) Christmas 2013 and the next several Christmases were at least partially like the words in this song. I asked Carly Reirson, a family friend and talented songwriter and recording artist to join me on this song because she also lost her mother to illness. We miss our mothers at Christmas most of all.

Christmas is the saddest season Close friends and families gather And try not to mourn the missing Christmas is the saddest season So many people happy Wishing me a ‘Merry Christmas’ as I weep This time of year Is tough on the ones who grieve Good memories turn painful when loved ones leave Those festive songs just bring me tears Christmas feels wrong this year Christmas is the saddest season So many expectations Idealistic expectations unmet This time of year Is tough on the ones who grieve

Good memories turn painful when loved ones leave Those festive songs just bring on tears Christmas feels wrong this year Those festive songs just bring me tears Christmas feels wrong this year Christmas is the saddest season Lead Vocal: Brian Doerksen Guest Vocalist: Carly Reirson Drums: Philip Janz Upright Bass & Flugelhorn: Matt Weeks Gretsch Electric Guitar: Brian Thiessen Piano: Philip Janz

Luke 2:14 Glory, Glory to God Glory, Glory to God In the highest heavens (repeat 3 times) And on earth peace to everyone On whom his favour rests Glory, Glory to God Glory, Glory to God In the highest heavens (repeat)

And on earth peace to everyone On whom his favour rests God’s peace to everyone On you his favour rests Glory, Glory to God Glory, Glory to God In the highest heavens

Lead Vocal, Olson Acoustic Guitar: Brian Doerksen Guest Vocalist: Cathy Hardy Drums: Philip Janz Bass: Matt Weeks Parlour Bedell Hi Strung Guitar, Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Piano, Keyboards: Philip Janz Vocals: Philip Janz & Teresa Trask Ocean Drum, Recorder, Tin Whistle: Boris Sichon

God with us God in us Becomes God through us Because God is love

The Christmas story rings the world Enchanting every boy and girl Because it is the timeless tale of love

Through us Christ is seen When we serve the least Through us Christ is here Through us God is known When love’s ways are shown Through us Christ is here

Of how the prince of peace arrived An answered prayer on the longest night And how we too play a part in love She, a teenage girl enveloped by the light He, a young man who’s determined to do right God with us God in us Becomes God through us Because God is love The Christmas story carries on Proclaiming peace with carols sung To all who let the holy family in The shepherds watch, the angels sing The magi fool a jealous king The animals seem to know He’s here We, who celebrate the coming of the Christ He, the faithful One who calls us to his side

(God with us, God in us, Love’s flowing right through us!) God with us God in us Becomes God through us Because God is love Lead Vocal: Brian Doerksen Guest Vocalist: Teresa Trask Drums: Philip Janz Bass: Matt Weeks Gibson 1943 Southerner Jumbo Acoustic, Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Organ, Piano, Vocals: Philip Janz Violin: Calvin Dyck Violin: Samuel Tsui Viola: Beth Nickel Cello: Sue Round String Arrangement: Philip Janz

HALLELUJAH EMMANUEL

Brian Doerksen & Jaylene Johnson ÂŠ 2019 Shining Rose Songs & Jaylene Johnson SOCAN

We were strangers far from home Exiles waiting to return Scattered people all alone But love came down to bring us close Love came down to bring us close Hallelujah, let the bells ring Hallelujah Emmanuel Hallelujah, every heart sing Hallelujah Emmanuel Nowâ€™s the time for Christmas peace All are welcome at the feast We are family, we are one With God the Father, Spirit, Son In God our Home the Three in One Hallelujah, let the bells ring Hallelujah Emmanuel Hallelujah, every heart sing Hallelujah Emmanuel God with us, Hallelujah God with us, Emmanuel God with us, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Emmanuel

We were strangers far from home Exiles waiting to return Scattered people all alone But love came down to bring us close Love came down to bring us close

Lead Vocal: Brian Doerksen Guest Vocalist: Stephanie Esau of Coalmont Cajon, Bodrahn: Boris Sichon Upright Bass: Matt Weeks Martin & Olson & Parlour Bedell Hi Strung Acoustics, Mandola, Gibson 1943 Southerner, Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Keyboards, Penny Whistle, Percussion: Philip Janz Vocals: Brian Thiessen & Philip Janz

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

A virgin named Mary has a baby boy Elizabeth at last knows a mother’s joy For nothing is impossible with God Nothing is impossible The highest king of heaven born to serve the least The people from the margins called to host the feast For nothing is impossible with God Nothing is impossible Anything can happen When God decides its time Unexpected goodness A beautiful surprise So lift your hopes, and lift your eyes The Christmas story tells it true Nothing is impossible The lowest valleys lifted to the very top The highest mountains humbled and injustice stopped For nothing is impossible with God Nothing is impossible Into our inky blackness shines purest light Because of grace and kindness we can choose what’s right For nothing is impossible with God Nothing is impossible Anything can happen When God decides its time

Unexpected goodness A beautiful surprise So lift your hopes, and lift your eyes The Christmas story tells it true Nothing is impossible Woah Woah Woah Woah Anything can happen When God decides its time Unexpected goodness A beautiful surprise So lift your hopes, and lift your eyes The Christmas story tells it true Nothing is impossible Nothing is impossible Nothing is impossible Lead Vocal, Olson Acoustic Guitar: Brian Doerksen Guest Vocalist, Piano, Keyboards: Philip Janz Drums: Philip Janz Bass: Matt Weeks Olson Spruce Acoustic Guitar, Gibson 1943 Southerner Jumbo, Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Violin: Calvin Dyck Violin: Samuel Tsui Viola: Beth Nickel Cello: Sue Round String Arrangement: Philip Janz

HU MBLE KING

Jesus, I love the way you came to earth Through the humble act of birth I can almost hear, the angels gasp As they listen to your newborn cry Jesus you are Jesus you are our humble King Jesus, we come to you on bended knee To lay our treasure at your feet Our hearts and voices join the angel’s praise God has come to live among us Jesus you are, Jesus you are Jesus you are our humble King How can this be, pure royalty Lying in straw in a stable God’s precious son, infinite one Dependent and frail a baby Our hearts and voices join the angel’s praise God has come to live among us Jesus you are, Jesus you are Jesus you are our humble King Jesus you are, Jesus you are Jesus you are our humble King Jesus, I love the way you came to earth

Lead Vocal, Olson Acoustic Guitar: Brian Doerksen Drums: Philip Janz Bass: Matt Weeks Electric Guitar: Brian Thiessen Piano, Keyboards: Philip Janz English Horn, Low Whistle: James Isaacs Violin: Calvin Dyck Violin: Samuel Tsui Viola: Beth Nickel Cello: Sue Round String Arrangement: Philip Janz

It came upon the midnight clear That glorious song of old From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold “Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, From heaven’s all gracious King!” The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing And ye, beneath life’s crushing load Whose forms are bending low Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow Look now, for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing And rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled And still their heavenly music floats O’er all the weary world And man at war with man hears not The love-song which they bring O hush the noise, ye men of strife And hear the angels sing

For lo, the days are hastening on By prophets seen of old When with the ever circling years Shall come the time foretold When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendors fling And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing

Lead Vocal: Brian Doerksen Upright Bass: Matt Weeks Nylon Guitar, Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Piano, Keyboards: Philip Janz Vocals: Philip Janz & Teresa Trask Oboe: James Isaacs Violin: Calvin Dyck Violin: Samuel Tsui Viola: Beth Nickel Cello: Sue Round Orchestral Arrangement: Philip Janz

C OM E AND A DORE Brian Doerksen ÂŠ 2019 Shining Rose Songs

Come and adore, Christ the Lord Follow the star, open your heart Come and adore, Christ the Lord Christ the newborn King Come and adore, Christ the Lord Empires give way, to whispers of grace Come and adore, Christ the Lord Christ the newborn King Adore the One who comes to save Comes to save, comes to save Adore the One who comes to save Jesus the prince of Peace Come and adore, Christ the Lord See him by faith, the son sent to reign Come and adore, Christ the Lord Christ the newborn King This this is Christ the king Whom shepherds guard and angels sing Haste haste to bring him laud The Babe the son of Mary Raise raise a song on high The virgin sings her lullaby Joy joy for Christ is born The Babe the son of Mary The Babe the son of Mary The Saviour son of Mary

Lead Vocal, Olson Acoustic Guitar: Brian Doerksen Guest Vocalist: Carly Reirson Drums: Philip Janz Bass: Matt Weeks Gibson 1943 Southerner Jumbo Acoustic, Parlour Bedell Hi Strung Guitar, Mandola, Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Piano, Keyboards, Penny Whistle, Vocals: Philip Janz Dulcimer, Shakers, Gong, Tin Whistle: Boris Sichon

STILLE NACHT (SILENT NIGHT)

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht Alles schläft; einsam wacht Nur das traute hochheilige Paar Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh Silent night, holy night Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing alleluia Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Hirten erst kundgemacht Durch der Engel Halleluja, Tönt es laut von fern und nah: Christ, der Retter ist da Christ, der Retter ist da Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht

Lead Vocal: Brian Doerksen Piano, Vocals: Philip Janz Children’s Choir: Members of PMCC (Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir); Danielle Bojkov, Madison Bonneville, Valeishka Cruz-Froese, Brooklyn Gerber, Joy Loewen, Anya Maffei, Fiona Rachel, Geneva Schut, Maggie Wilson & Marea Wright English Horn, Oboe: James Isaacs Choir & Woodwind Arrangement: Philip Janz

Jesus, hope of the nations Jesus, comfort for all who mourn You are the source of heaven’s hope on earth Jesus, light in the darkness Jesus, truth in each circumstance You are the source of heaven’s light on earth

Light of the world, shining for everyone to see You are the Christ, Christmas is You Our servant King, faithful and true Jesus our joy, filling our hearts as we receive Our Prince of Peace Our Prince of Peace Our Prince of Peace

In Bethlehem, a lowly birth, The dawn of grace, and peace on earth You are the hope, hope brought to life Here to reveal, what God’s really like Light of the world, shining for everyone to see You are the Christ, Christmas is You Our servant King, faithful and true Jesus our joy, filling our hearts as we receive Our Prince of Peace Jesus, hope of the nations Jesus, comfort for all who mourn You are the source of heaven’s hope on earth Jesus, light in the darkness Jesus, truth in each circumstance You are the source of heaven’s light on earth In Bethlehem, a lowly birth, The dawn of grace, and peace on earth You are the hope, hope brought to life Here to reveal, what God’s really like

Lead Vocal: Brian Doerksen Guest Vocalist: Loralee Thiessen Drums: Philip Janz Mandolin, Electric Guitars: Brian Thiessen Bass: Matt Weeks Piano, Keyboards, Penny Whistle, Vocals: Philip Janz Violin: Calvin Dyck Violin: Samuel Tsui Violin: Beth Nickel String Arrangement: Philip Janz

What is the heart of Christmas? These songs are my reply; not complete nor conclusive but for now, I’m content with my response. In the mess and magic of our ordinary lives God is with all of us. I grew up in a family of faith hearing the Christmas story every year. In the house where I was a child, the same home where Joyce and I also raised our six, we retold the Christmas story every year. Perhaps a little implausible, impossible even, the Christmas story is also incredibly and astonishingly true. Whispers of grace make the mightiest empires give way. Love is real and that love keeps changing hearts and lives. This is why all over the world we keep on singing songs of adoration to the One who came, born in the dust and dirt of humble, human circumstances to show us what God is really like. The Christmas season is what we in recent centuries have culturally made of this Christmas story. A time of year packed with experiences and expectations that are festive, fun and yet disorienting and diﬃcult for people who are missing loved ones. The yearly traditions that help us remember the Christ and make Christmas meaningful can also make the season hard if the people who helped bring the holidays to life are gone. How do we carry on the celebrations in their absence? We do our best, but with each gathering of friends and family we realize that grief is the price we pay for love. This is part of Christmas too. That’s why I wrote and included ‘Saddest Season’ on this album. I dedicate this recording to all of you who struggle with the season. May this album be like a softly burning candle, an hour’s respite from the relentless rush of December.

PEACEFULLY YOURS,

Brian Doerksen Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada | The Year Of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

BRIAN’S THANK-YOU’S While this album has my name on the front, making it took a village of talented people. Let me introduce you to my Christmas village. My 244 Kickstarters. We would not be here without each of your contributions. This is the way recording artists make albums now and I like it! I hope you have felt part of the process because you absolutely were vital to this getting done. Philip Janz. Right on the heels of the ‘Faithful One’ project’ we celebrated and created Christmas for months . . . and loved every minute of it. Thank you for your beautiful arrangements, for playing and singing so many parts so well and for your patience and skill in taking each song as far as it would go. You have an amazing musical imagination! To the women who sang with me, Marika Siewert, Stephanie Esau, Teresa Trask, Brenda Janz, Cathy Hardy, Loralee Thiessen, & Carly Reirson. I love the diversity and dynamics of your voices and

the way Philip knew the best vocal match for each song. Truthfully, I think that the female voice transcends the male voice in power, beauty and emotional expression and part of me wanted to let the 7 of you take over each song because I love hearing each of you sing. To the musicians, Brian Thiessen, Matt Weeks, Calvin Dyck, Samuel Tsui, Beth Nickel, Sue Round, Boris Sichon & James Isaacs. The colours and tones you generate with your fingers and musical minds are so full of wonder. I honestly don’t know how you do it, but all of you do it so well! And thanks to Fred Shrimer for the use of his gorgeous and rare 1943 Gibson Southerner Jumbo Acoustic Guitar. Jaylene Johnson & Marc James. Thanks for sharing your song ideas with me. I can’t imagine ‘The Heart Of Christmas’ without your creative input.

Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir (PMCC). What would a Christmas album be without the sound of children singing? Thank you for singing so beautifully. P.S. Did you know that my wife Joyce was a member of your choir at its inception some 40 years ago? Roberta Landreth. Our 2nd project together (‘Grateful’ being the first). Thank you for the way you bring this album to visual life. I love holding album artwork in my hands reading the lyrics, taking in the album visually while I’m listening to my favourite artists. I’m smiling thinking of people doing that with this project, and because of your skill and eye for visual artistry, I’m sure they will be smiling too. The photographers; Jon-Mark Wiltshire (Victoria BC), Priscilla Du Preez (Fort Langley & our home in Abbotsford) and Karin Esau (Merritt, B.C.) Karin, your nature and bird photos were perfect for the booklet! Thank you for having such a good eye to frame these shots, and to all 3 of you for the use of your beautiful photographs.

Joyce. From the beginning of this project you were all in. I loved the way you filled my office in summer 2018 with Christmas decor as I got started writing in earnest. To misquote CS Lewis with you, “It’s always Christmas and never winter!” Through all the changes and challenges of our life, from being high school sweethearts, to our young married years (where did 35 years go?) you’ve been my love, best friend and partner in all things and I’m so grateful for each Christmas with you. My father Harry, my mother Agnes (gone 6 Christmases already), parents in-law Len & Esther and our 6 children, Rachel, Esther, Benjamin, Joy, Mercy, Isaiah & our son-in-law Luke. Celebrating Christmas with you is Christmas to me. Thank you for all the ways each of you have helped me remember the Christ. Mom, I miss you still, but you live on in my grateful heart and in these songs.

B R I A N D O E R K S E N

Produced by: Philip Janz Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by: Philip Janz at Hi-Tyme Studios, Mission, B.C. Canada Recorded from November 2018 to July 2019 Oboe, English Horn & Low Whistle recorded by Marc Ebermann at Music Factory Studios, Switzerland To book Brian for a Christmas Music Event, go to briandoerksen.com and fill out a booking request on the ‘Contact’ tab.