"May the gifts we give this Christmas
Meet the needs that go unmet
May they heal the hurt between us
May they say what's gone unsaid
May we find at last in Jesus
The gift we've always sought
And let the love we show each other
Be the gift we give to God"

- from "the Gifts We Give"

Since the debut of Timeless Christmas Child, Kyle's most popular CD to date, the Christmas season has become one of the busiest times of the year at See for Yourself Music. Kyle is traveling from Thanksgiving to Christmas and we're sending CDs, songbooks and commentary booklets out to people who use them to celebrate at home, to plan worship services and parties, and to give as gifts. Our hope is that we might be able to contribute some beauty and some substance to your Christmas experience.

The songs at Christmastime cry out for shared music making and Kyle's Christmas concert celebrates that with lots of carols for audience participation, as well as charts and choral arrangements for any musician or ensemble that wants to join along. If you're interested in having your children's choir sing "Everything Santa Knows" along with Kyle, or if your young adult choir wants to chime in on "One of Us," or maybe you've got some terrific musicians who don't want to sit this concert out, let us know. We've got some fun ideas and would always like to hear yours. (Just make sure we hear from you in time for your musicians to learn their parts!)

Some suggestions for making the most of a Kyle Matthews Christmas Concert:

• Involve local singers and musicians. Christmas is a busy time, and the more people we involve, the more people are likely to attend. This can be a good way to build some new and lasting relationships.
• Tie the concert to a charity or ministry awareness fundraiser. Let's show your community we can be true to our word about the "true meaning of Christmas."
• Use Kyle's lyrics and song commentaries in worship services and Sunday School classes in those weeks leading up to the event. There's too much good stuff in there to unpack during the concert.
• Most likely, your church musicians will prepare all fall for a big music concert of your own, leaving little time to prepare for all the other worship services of the advent season. Choose one of those other Sundays as a time to host a Kyle Matthews concert. Your musicians will enjoy it and they'll thank you for the break!
• Plan a Christmas Coffeehouse or Home concert!