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| Monday, December 14, 2009
Music > Behold The Lamb Of God by Andrew Peterson Writer: Annabelle Ang-Bok Behold The Lamb Of God: The True Tall Tale Of The Coming Of Christ. Andrew Peterson (Fervent Records, 2004)A Christmas album with a difference, Behold The Lamb Of God tells the story of God's fulfilled promise of a Saviour King. Andrew Peterson's narrative begins with a call to "come/Listen to the old, old story/Of the pow'r of Death undone", and runs from the Exodus through to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. Peterson's compelling and thought-provoking lyrics retain a deep-seated poetic beauty, and his warm, smooth vocals carry above the lush instrumentations with more than mere flair -- his personal conviction about Christ is tangible even in the carefully moderated lilts in his melodies. It's not often that a Christmas collection draws parallels between Baby Jesus and the lambs sacrificed by the Levitical priesthood in the Old Testament, or highlights Isaiah's prophecy of how the Child "would bring a Kingdom/and the old would come to pass away". Even the genealogical list in Matthew's Gospel is put into song, showing how all things "came to pass" as God had planned from the beginning! There's a grittier touch in songs like Labour Of Love, where Joseph's and Mary's humanity is brought into focus. Peterson writes of how "the stable was not clean/And the cobblestones were cold", making one put aside images of fluffy store-front nativity displays and confront how Jesus willingly came in such humble estate. Yet, Peterson very deliberately reminds us, even in that bleak picture, that "the baby in her womb... was the Author of the faith/That could make the mountains move". Another lovely aspect of this album is the beautifully executed instrumentals. They link up the songs with evocative arrangements, and the passion with which they have been played is tangible. Powerful, moving and inspiring, Behold The Lamb Of God will leave you standing in awe of our Saviour Jesus. So this Christmas, don't just "go with the flow" -- Sing out with joy for the brave little boy Who was God, but He made Himself nothing He gave up His pride and He came here to die Like a man.
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