Behold the Lamb of God!!!

Behold the Lamb of God is a Christmas album written by Andrew Peterson which tells not only the regular story that we all are so used to hearing around the holidays, but also the generations of events and stories leading up to the occasion. It is one of my favorite things to listen to around this time of year (which I know is quite the statement).

The Songs

There are two other instrumental songs in the album, but I left them out for the sake of this post. 😉

The first song in the album is Gather ‘Round, Ye Children, Come, and it is the opening to an amazing story. This song sets the stage for the true (reason) for Christmas, reminding the listener of the ancient history and breathtaking miracles that brought the story to this point. It declares from the very beginning the reason for our worship, and invites us to raise our voice to the one little baby who came to this earth to rescue his people and chase off the darkness for good.

Passover Us (featuring Jess Ray) is one of my favorite songs in the album. It compares the Israelites’ desire for the Lord’s mercy to follow cling close to them with their desire for his judgement to pass them by, just as it does in the story of the first Passover (which is a clever hint in the title of the song). There is so much significance in this song, as it not only refers to when God used the blood of the lamb to save his people in the exodus, but also when he did the same with the blood of his own Son all those years later.

What I really like about So Long, Moses is the way it describes the passing of time and generations, while at the same time always focusing on the king of the future that was promised to the Israelites (which would be Jesus). Although they dream of a ruler with power and might, the king that would come to them in the end was not what they expected. Instead, they receive a man, predicted through the pages of time, who is nothing like they would have chosen, but everything they need to truly save them.

Deliver Us (featuring Scott Mulvahill) is a beautiful song. It is one of the deeper songs in the album, leaning into the great burdens the Israelites must have felt, and understanding their desperate need for a savior.

Matthew’s Begats is a super fun song with a fast pace. It goes through the ancestry of Jesus in a way that is easy to follow along, and even to memorize (that’s a pretty neat thing to say you know by heart, don’t you think?).

It Came to Pass (featuring Andy Gullahorn ) is a song that feels steady and familiar, just like the comforting story it tells. The Christmas story, the one we hear in church all through the month of December, is told through these lines, given in a simple style that always stands out to me. It came to pass that God’s will was complete through a man, woman, and little baby.

There is a heartfelt rawness to Labor of Love (featuring Jill Philips) that is unlike anything else in the album. There are a lot of songs and music dedicated to the peace and joy of that first Christmas night, but few honor the great pain and trouble Mary went through to bring the Son of God into the world. She was only a young girl, after all, and she hadn’t asked for any of this, and yet she went through every moment of pain in willing obedience.

Another instance in the way this album shows a side of the story not often talked about is in the song While Shepherds Watched. It gives the story from their point of view, not neglecting to mention the wonder and joy that must have filled their hearts at the sight of God’s fulfilled promises before their very eyes!

Behold the Lamb of God is like the climax of the album. It emphasizes the significance of Jesus’s presence here on earth, as well as the mercy of his sacrifice and amazement of his gift to us. This song does not lose sight of the true reason of Christmas, and that is the true reason Christ came to earth in the first place. It is not just a story of joy and excitement, but also one of wonder at the beautiful grace of God.

If Behold the Lamb of God is the climax of the album, Theme of My Song is the wonderful concluding song. It is brilliantly written to include snippets from songs throughout the whole album, and ends with the chorus.

Sing out with joy!

For the brave little boy!

Who was God, but he made himself nothing!

Well, He gave up His pride!

And He came here to die like a man!

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t listened to Behold the Lamb of God, that is something you must do this year. It will open you eyes to the real Christmas story in a way nothing else will.

Have you listened to the album? Do you have a favorite song?