Monday, December 24, 2012

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (Band Aid)

It's Tuesday!!!  Better yet, it's Tuesday and it's Christmas Day!!!  Can there be a better combination?!!  Merry Christmas from Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  This Christmas our wish for you is that your needs are met, you are surrounded by friends, family, or both, and that there is a peace that surpasses all understanding that envelopes you on this very special day.

     It all got started with a Boomtown Rat.  One of the biggest acts of charity ever recorded by musicians was the brainchild of Bob Geldof, leader of the Irish New Wave band The Boomtown Rats.  They topped the charts in Ireland and the United Kingdom from 1977 to 1984.  At the height of their popularity, lead vocalist Bob Geldof viewed a BBC report regarding the famine occurring in Africa.  This intense struggle for the necessities of life impacted the people of Africa from 1983-1985.  The report aired in October of 1984 and ignited the desire in Geldof to use his influence to make a difference.  The realization of his vision would be called Band Aid:


"Do They Know It's Christmas?" - Band-Aid

     Geldof's partner in this effort and providing the bulk of the musical backdrop was Midge Ure from the British band Ultravox.  Sensing the urgency of the need, Geldof made a plea to fellow British Isles artists to join with him in making a single of which all proceeds would go to assist in the relief efforts in Africa.  Many of the biggest names in British and Irish music at the time came to Trevor Horn's (Buggles, Asia) studio to make the record.  In just 24 hours this talent-laden group had produced the single. The promotional blitz that followed was unprecedented.  "Do They Know It's Christmas Time" soared to the top of the charts in the UK and stayed there for 4 weeks upon its release on November 25th, 1984.  It was the biggest-selling single in chart history and was only replaced at this position by Elton John's Diana tribute "Candle In The Wind 1997".  Due to the differences in chart configurations, it only peaked at #13 in the United States.  Geldof's original goal was to raise 70,000 British pounds, it surpassed that number by an exponential figure in the first month of release. 

Band Aid would feature many of the top artists of the time as well as artists who would become huge in the music world in later years.  Those artists were:



     Geldof's efforts would eventually spur the Live Aid concert in the summer of 1985 and the United States companion piece, "We Are The World".  These events would continue the fundraising to feed the people of Africa.  Whether they realized it or not, Band Aid would be following one of the commands of Jesus.....

     Perhaps you are familiar with the story of the apostle Peter's denial of Jesus during Jesus' trial and torture.  Peter was a fisherman.  In the social mores of the day, his position was what we would consider upper middle class.  His encounter with Jesus transformed Peter's entire life.  Have you encountered Jesus in this way? 

     Peter was known for being impetuous and perhaps a little ill-tempered.  He shows this time and again in his interactions with Jesus and the other disciples.  However, He would ultimately deny that he even knew who Jesus was.  And then a rooster crowed.  Peter was not the only apostle to leave Jesus alone that day, yet he was the one who authoritatively pronounced that he would never leave Jesus' side.  How did that work for him? Probably, about as well as it works out for you and me on a daily basis.

     After Jesus' resurrection, He appeared to His disciples several times. One such occasion we read about in John 21.  Peter not only gets redemption for his denial, but he also receives the assignment that would completely dominate the remainder of his life....." feed my lambs....shepherd my sheep...feed my sheep...follow me"  Each time Jesus instructs Peter to be the caretaker of Jesus followers.  The impulsive Peter would eventually become the leader of the Church, which was foretold by Jesus when He proclaimed regarding Peter..." on this rock, I will build my church".  Peter would be the leader of those who were delegated the task and inundated by the Holy Spirit to tell the world about the redemption that is through Jesus and ONLY through Jesus.  In this way, Peter would feed and shepherd the sheep, and follow Jesus. 

     We have the same responsibility today.  We live at a time like no other.  Communication is instantaneous and world-wide.  Our opportunities abound to spread the Gospel of Jesus throughout the world and never leave our homes.  Jesus calls us to tell the story of the manger, cross, and empty tomb just as He did the disciples of the first church.  He may be calling you to physically go to a country you are unfamiliar with and tell them the story of Jesus.  He certainly tells us to communicate His love with our Facebook friends.  By doing this we accomplish the mission of feeding the sheep. 

     On this very special day, let's raise our voices in praise that Jesus, the Messiah, has come!  Let us lift our heads in the knowledge that He is coming again to take us to that place He has prepared for us.  Let us also lift our hands and feet to go about the responsibility that Jesus  placed before Peter then and places before us now......"Feed the world.....let them know it's Christmas time...."


'Til Tuesday,


Loving HIM by loving you,

Randy
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