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This is a special "Christmas Edition" of the Hymns That I Love series. This episode features the hymn O Little Town Of Bethlehem. Written and published in the 1860s, there is a rich history to this song...a history that begins with a visit to the Holy Land for a Christmas Eve service. Pastor Phillips Brooks and his organist, Lewis Redner, collaborated to combine lyrics and melody. The song was originally used as a children's choir piece for a Christmas Eve service. Little did Brooks and Redner know, hundreds of years later the song would still be sung and popular with modern audiences.

Listen to Derek's Christmas album "GLORIA!" on Spotify (includes O Little Town Of Bethlehem)

Derek's Hymns Playlist On YouTube

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As we wrap up 2025 and start thinking about 2026, it is a natural time of the year to look at goals, priorities, and overall direction in life. As Christians, we must do this evaluation through the lens of Scripture. As we hear God's heart, how does it move us forward into next year? Where does He want us to focus? Certainly evangelism and preaching the Gospel are top priorities. We are also called to dream big dreams with Him and ask that He helps us as we step out and fulfill those callings. Today's episode gives us some concrete steps to take as we wind down 2025 and put our focus on 2026.

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Thanksgiving is the subject of this week's episode (part of the "Let's Talk About It..." series). As we think about thankfulness, how do we develop the sort of spirit that the Biblical writers had; an attitude that was thankful in all circumstances despite the difficulties they faced? We know some of hardship, maybe persecution, and pushback in our world. The New Testament writers knew of it all too well. Yet they were encouraged to say, "Be thankful." Our challenge in today's (shorter) episode is to take on that same mindset and to even be joyful when we face tough things in life.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4