Third Day

Third Day is a worship rock band, more than just a bunch of guys that just want to rock for Jesus. And because Christmas music is, after all, winter worship music, a Christmas concert DVD is securely in the act’s sweet spot.

Creating a memorable Christmas release is oftentimes a complicated balancing act. You don’t want too many familiar songs, which makes the set list predictable. Then again, you don’t want too many new songs because people love to sing along with Christmas carols. Third Day has done a wonderful job in seasoning their season’s greetings jus right, with a little bit of this and a touch of that for their enthusiastic Texas audience.

Traditional inclusions include “O Come All Ye Faithful”, with a small but significant new guitar lick in order to “Third Day” it. Also, “Holy Night” has great slide guitar work, which adds an appropriate Southern feel. The band also performs “Do You Hear What I Hear”, “What Child Is This”, and “Angels We Have Heard On High” to round out the December church song portion.

There are also a few newer songs that mix in originality. “Born In Bethlehem”, which our church choir tried to replicate last Christmas, proves to be a durable holiday song. Also, “Christmas Like A Child” ought to touch every adult ever frustrated by the meaningless, commercial Christmas our secular society tries to cram down our throats every year.

Furthermore, the band throws in some familiar Third Day songs, too. In this context, “Show Me Your Glory” takes on a whole new meaning. It’s easy to put one’s self in the position of looking on with wide-eyed wonder at the baby Jesus while this song plays. The same can be said of “God Of Wonders”, as there are few greater miracles than the Virgin Birth. Mac Powell salutes longtime Third Day fans when introducing “King Of Glory” early in the program and the band ends this show with “Creed”.

Visually, Christmas Offerings does not take place on an overly busy set. Instead, a big screen behind the band, which is ringed with colored lights, is about the only major stage object. But instead of showing close-ups of the group as members make twisted faces while taking solos this screen is instead used to scroll the lyrics so fans can sing along.

Third Day has never been an exciting live act, and this DVD does little to change that perception. The act’s music is solid and emotionally moving, however, in a way that always connects with its audience. So while the band is playing, they appear to sincerely bond with their audience. They would much rather invite concert attendees inside the worship circle than put on a flashy show. Powell doesn’t tell jokes, twirl his microphone, run up and down ramps, or even dance like some sort of typical hard rock front man. He stands in one spot and delivers – and delivers well – in that familiar voice of his.

Spending Christmas with Third Day is like hanging out with old friends that you don’t feel any pressure to impress. These are just regular guys, who just happen to have a lot of fine songs that Christians have memorized over the years and often sung in church. Thus, Christmas Offerings is one gift we’ll gladly accept.

Tagged as: Christmas Offerings DVD, Third Day

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