Christmas | MartySong https://martysong.com The Music of Martin Shrout Fri, 21 Nov 2025 23:50:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 Christmas In the Mirror https://martysong.com/solo/christmas-in-the-mirror/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 01:05:59 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=1200 In the year of 1999 I had come to a point in my life where I was deciding on new goals for my life.  I had dabbled in writing songs over the years prior but hadn’t worked at it seriously.  I decided it was time I worked at being a composer.  My first work was a Christmas musical.  Writing 7 new songs, arranging 4 Christmas Carols, and writing a 4 scene play was quite a task.  Add to it that I had never worked with notation software or recording software.  In the period of six months I had gone from nothing to having a complete dramatic musical with choir and had created an accompaniment track.  We performed it for our church that December in 1999.  I was truly blessed by my church, Del Oro Hills Community Church, and the Lord to be patient with me in putting this major work together.  This song was the theme song for the musical.  The concept for the musical is simple.  Imagine yourself getting ready in the morning and your thinking through your day while you are standing in front of a mirror.  I don’t know about you but I can imagine there are times you talk to yourself and reflect on what has been happening in your life.  This song speaks to the desire for Christ to be in control of your inner life and to bring peace into your heart.  Something many long for at Christmas time.  May Christ inspire you to a deeper walk with Him as you celebrate the Advent season. Blessings!

Music Sheet: Christmas In the Mirror – Lead Sheet

Chord Sheet: CHRISTMAS IN THE MIRROR – Chord Sheet

Song:

]]> Come Thou Long Expected Jesus https://martysong.com/solo/come-thou-long-expected-jesus/ Sat, 21 Jun 2025 19:55:27 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=254 Music Sheet: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus – Rejoice (2)

Chord Sheet: Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Video:

]]> Fear Not, Emmanuel https://martysong.com/solo/fear-not-emmanuel/ Sat, 21 Jun 2025 20:00:54 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=268 How would you respond if an angel suddenly appeared before you?  It seems in each case in the Bible the first words out of the Angel’s mouth is, “Fear not!”  I’m not sure what kind of image comes to mind of what angel’s look like for you, but I’m sure with their sudden appearance there would be fear.  I think it’s natural to be frightened by the power of God.  Scripture teaches us that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10 NIV). This song conveys the stories of those who encountered an angel and yet the love of God saw them through.

Sheet Music: Fear Not Emmanuel

Chord Sheet: FEAR NOT EMMANUEL

Video: none at this time.

]]> Foretold, Fulfilled, and Faithful https://martysong.com/solo/foretold-fulfilled-and-faithful/ Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:24:51 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=1257 Back in 1997 I was preparing a sermon series for Advent when I notice that Sarah, Elizabeth, and Mary were all told of their impending pregnancies by an Angel.  Sarah laughed when she heard the news. Elizabeth’s husband became mute until he named the child John.  And Mary was visited by Gabriel and became the most blessed woman of all time.  It’s amazing how God works in the most surprising ways.  God foretold them before the they were pregnant, they’re great desires were fulfilled in each birth, and they were faithful in believing God’s news.  Because of these women we have a spiritual nation, a witness to the light, and a savior of the world.  God’s Word is true and we can believe in Him.

Music Sheet: Foretold, Fulfilled, and Faithful – Lead Sheet

Chord Sheet: Foretold_Fulfilled-and-Faithful – Chord Sheet

Song:

PS This is a badly corrupted recording.  CD’s don’t last forever and this one was recorded over 20 years ago.  I’ll be making a new recording in the future as time permits.

]]> God Spoke Love https://martysong.com/solo/god-spoke-love/ Sat, 21 Jun 2025 20:02:59 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=276 I enjoy thinking about God’s power through creation.  Current scientific thought is that our universe was born out of a great expanse.  (I guess the word explosion just doesn’t quick cut it.)  Genesis says that God spoke and the universe came into being.  It is my firm belief that God created all things out of love.  God spoke love. Light bursting through grace.  That phrase reminds me of God’s power in creation.  God created with a plan and a purpose.  In the Christmas season we remind ourselves of God becoming human and showing us the way.  Jesus is the light of the world. The Word become flesh.  In essence, God spoke love.

 

Sheet Music: God Spoke Love – Lead Sheet

Chord Sheet: God Spoke Love 2019

Video

]]> He Cleaned This Mess with Love https://martysong.com/solo/he-cleaned-this-mess-with-love/ Sat, 21 Jun 2025 20:04:08 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=282 One of my favorite sources for Christmas drama is “The Skit Guys.”  They speak God’s truth in both funny ways and very moving emotional ways.  I was inspired to write this song after seeing a video they did called “He Came To Get Messy.”  The thought that Jesus left heaven to be born in a stable. A stable with other animals and all that goes with them.  Not the most sanitary place to have a child. Certainly not the place where the king of Kings should be born.  But just like our world is a mess so are our personal lives.  When we come to Jesus our hearts are so messy.  Yet, He cleans this mess with love.

Sheet Music: He Cleaned This Mess With Love – Lead Sheet

Chord Sheet: He Cleaned This Mess With Love – Chord Sheet

Text Sheet: 6. He Cleaned This Mess With Love – text

Song:

Video: none at this time.

 

]]> How Did Mary Feel? https://martysong.com/solo/how-did-mary-feel/ Sat, 21 Jun 2025 14:39:24 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=194 In 1999 I had ridden on a bike tour of the Oregon Trail with my brother, David Shrout.  He’s the cyclist. I’m just the tag along.  After my return I began thinking about my goals for the future.  I had dabbled in composing off and on over the years but never really made a serious effort.  I decided that year to write a Christmas musical.  Out of that effort this song was born.  It addresses Mary’s feelings throughout the life of Jesus.  Mary, the most blessed woman of the Bible because she was the unique and honored vessel to carry our savior to term.  How did she feel when the Angel said that she would bear God’s Son?  All of her emotions were engaged throughout Jesus’ life.  Thank you Lord, for this special woman.

Sheet Music: How Did Mary Feel – Lead Sheet

Sheet Music Choir: How Did Mary Feel – Choir

Chord Sheet: How Did Mary Feel

Song:

Video:

]]> I Need to Kneel at the Manger https://martysong.com/solo/i-need-to-kneel-at-the-manger/ Sat, 21 Jun 2025 15:01:05 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=205 While writing a Christmas musical for my Church in Oceanside, CA, in the year 1999, the thought occurred to me that in my life at that time I wanted to worship at the manger.  Joining the Shepherds and Wisemen all gathered around the manger.  I wanted to experience that moment.  From my perspective I know the whole story of birth to resurrection.  Those who were worshiping at the manger certainly didn’t know the whole story.  Yet, they understood something miraculous was happening.  Now fast forward to October 2025 where I was updating my files and realized I didn’t have a lead sheet of this chorus.  Going back over this song I decided I needed to add some verses that showed the reason why I needed to kneel at the manger.  So, the chorus was written in 1999 and the verses added in 2025.  My prayer is after you listen to this song you’ll have that desire too to worship at the manger this Christmas. Blessings!

Music Sheet: I Need to Kneel at the Manger – Lead Sheet

Chord Sheet:  CHRISTMAS IN THE MIRROR – Chord Sheet

Song:

PS This recording does not include a key change.  However, the music does include a key change.  Feel free to perform as it works best for you.

]]> I’m Coming Home For Christmas https://martysong.com/solo/im-coming-home-for-christmas/ Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:34:00 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=1211 I wrote this song back in 1998.  This was just at the beginning of my focus on composing.  I wrote this for a Christmas program we did that year.  Lot’s of people travel to go home for Christmas. The song embodies the confession of a man who has allowed work to take him away from his wife and kids.  Coming home for Christmas here is both a metaphor for making you family a higher priority and asking God to be the main focus of your life.  I truly believe that the more we love Christ the better husband, father, and person we become.  When we put Christ first then everything else falls into place.  Make sure you come home this Christmas!

Music Sheet: I’m Coming Home For Christmas – Lead Sheet

Chord Sheet: I’m Coming Home For Christmas – Chord Sheet

Song:

]]> I’m Going Home for Christmas Blues https://martysong.com/solo/im-going-home-for-christmas-blues/ Sat, 21 Jun 2025 15:01:47 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=207 Back in 1998 when I was dabbling in music composition and I wrote a song for a Christmas program for my Church in Oceanside, CA, “Del Oro Hills Community Church.”  We had great fun with it when the ladies of the Worship Team added some background vocals like “shoobee doowah” etc.  This is written with the thought in mind that not everyone has a great time seeing their family during the holidays.  Given the context of the Christmas Story I’m sure that even Mary and Joseph had a difficult time with their family i.e. Parents like so many others do.  This song starts out tongue in cheek but then moves into a more serious tone.  My prayer for you is that during the holiday season you discover the joy of forgiveness and compassion rather than the attitude of  judgement and correction.  Trust the Holy Spirit to help you be gracious this holiday season.  Then going home for Christmas will not be so blue.  Blessings!

Music Sheet: I’m Going Home for Christmas Blues – Lead Sheet

Chord Sheet: I’m Going Home for Christmas Blues – Chord Sheet

Song:

Recording coming soon.

]]> I’m Looking For Christmas https://martysong.com/solo/im-looking-for-christmas/ Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:37:41 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=1214 Here’s a song that came out of an idea of people finding themselves in the middle of the Christmas season but just not feeling it.  While everyone else seems to be having a great time you’re feeling left out. It can be very distressing feeling sad at Christmas time.  As  you seek the Lord I believe you will find that deeper meaning by putting yourself in a place where you can hear the Lord speak.  As illustrated in this song it turns out that our person longing for Christmas is moved by a Christmas song.  It’s amazing how God can reach a person through music.  Bless the Lord!

Music Sheet: I’m Coming Home For Christmas – Lead Sheet

Chord Sheet: I’m Coming Home For Christmas – Chord Sheet

Song:

]]> Love Became Real https://martysong.com/solo/love-became-real/ Sat, 21 Jun 2025 20:14:46 +0000 https://martysong.com/?p=337 All throughout history people have loved their spouses, children, and good friends.  The scriptures are full of statements that say God’s love is everlasting.  However, until love became tangible in the person of Jesus it may not have seemed so real.  When the Father gave the gift of His Son Jesus to live among us, teach us, and even die for us.  That’s when God’s love became real.  Too often Christmas becomes more about the season instead of it being about Christ.  Christmas is more than decorations, presents, or even family.  It’s about the good news that God sent His only Son into the world to be the savior of the world.

Sheet Music: Love Became Real

Chord Sheet: LOVE BECAME REAL

Video:

]]>