Jon Seccombe has partnered with sand artist Leea Byrne to create an original Christmas music video, featuring the stunning voice of Mirusia.
In our post-Christian world, we can no longer presume a Chrisian understanding of Christmas – BUT we can see it as an opportunity to introduce people to Jesus, says musician and composer Jon Seccombe.
With this in mind Jon has written a carol that takes people on a journey towards the Christ of Christmas, and partnered with sand artist Leea Byrne to produce a magical Christmas music video. The video is designed with young audiences in mind and takes viewers on a journey from the familiar images of a commercial Christmas, to images of the gospel story. Featuring the stunning voice of Mirusia, it is intended to be played in churches and secular carols events to introduce people to the Biblical message of the season.
Jon is a member of the CMAA arts community and he reflects on his approach to Christmas time below, through the story of an experience while visiting China.
Experiencing a Chinese Christmas
“Some years after China opened to foreigners, I had the opportunity to visit my brother and his young family who lived in Beijing. It was Christmas time, and I brought goodies with me: Christmas pudding, gifts and above all, lots of affection for these children who I saw so rarely,” Jon said.
“I don't know really what I expected to see in Beijing, but it certainly wasn't this: everywhere, shops, restaurants and community areas were loaded with Christmas decorations and the spirit of gift giving was well and truly on display. Some of the decorations were so heavy that they threatened to pull the ceilings down. It had a distinctly Chinese atmosphere but at the same time it was so very Western.
“Later I did meet Chinese Christians and saw the amazing work God was doing there. However, at the time I was curious about a nation which had encountered the trappings of the season but until very recently had not legally been allowed to hear the message of Jesus.
Christmas - An amazing opportunity
“My experience in China gave a new perspective about my own society. Although I had personally been taught to value Jesus as the meaning of Christmastime in a Christian household, much of my society has never encountered this great truth. I had always assumed that acknowledging a Messiah's birth into our world was the central purpose of Christmas Day and if I spoke to someone, I started from the presumption that somehow, they would return my understanding - the true meaning of Christmas.
“But I’ve come to realise that my Australian community is very much like the Chinese or the Gentiles that Paul reached out to in Acts, especially the Athenians who had no knowledge of Jesus' birth or existence. I could no longer start out assuming, in a slightly paternal way, that non-Christians needed to respect this day and come to church, even though the government agreed with this by making it a public holiday.
“In our post-Christian society, there are a great many people who know nothing about Jesus and tragically, whose sole encounter has been when His name is used as a swear word. But once a year, they go with their children to sing Christmas carols in the parks throughout the country. Some are televised events with many thousands attending, accompanied by symphony orchestras and Australia's most famous singers. For many it is the one time of the year they are in a place to discover Jesus.
“And herein lies an amazing opportunity to reach out and tell them about the astonishing love of Jesus and it is where my personal experience ties in.”
A New Christmas Carol for Your Church
“Last Christmas, my vision was realised when Mirusia encountered my carol, Christmas is Here Again. Mirusia is Australia's No 1 crossover artist. The Dutch/ Australian soprano is known internationally for performing with Andre Rieu. She recorded the carol and then later performed it with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra at one of these large events. The carol was also released on a Christmas compilation CD: Merry Christmas which features a range of popular and secular carols sung by top recording Australian artists.
“When I wrote this carol, I wanted to try a new approach to reaching people based on my Chinese and Australian experiences. I started by including images that people without a church background were very familiar with; stockings, candy-cane and gift-wrapping. The purpose of these images is to gradually draw listeners in, to a deeper, more meaningful way of seeing Christmas.
“Christmas is Here Again is an adaptation to the beautiful words from Reginald Heber. You may remember his hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy. Heber, the missionary bishop of Calcutta, lived 200 years ago. However, I’ve changed the images to be more culturally relevant to connect with people today.
“One case in point is the 'odours of Edom' image, for which I substituted the more recognisable, 'perfumes of Paris.' Through this, my hope is to subtly introduce audiences to Jesus, who was born with the specific purpose of giving them the gift of life.
“Life-long friend and artist, Lee Leea Byrne Sand artist created a stunning sand art narrative to go with the carol.
“My hope in creating this magical Christmas presentation is that it will be played in churches and secular concerts and reinforce this crucial and lost Biblical message. It is specifically designed to attract children. It is accessible on YouTube to be used freely, either individually, at a concert or at your church.
The real spirit of Christmas
“It's easy to become discouraged by the commercialism of Christmas, however there’s so much about our contemporary Christmas that is wonderful and should not be discounted. For instance, the spirit of generosity, the excitement in the air, and a desire to rebuild family relationships. Christmas reorients us.
“People who have been caught up in the concerns of daily life, catch the sense of a need to look outwards and to consider others. This brings to mind the Dickensian Christmas revolution. It is the one time of the year, even if briefly, bad news can be put aside, and hope of a brighter tomorrow can be envisaged.
“As holidays approach, this is the time to reflect on the past year: perhaps hectic, perhaps unsuccessful. There are many things which can be condemned about our modern celebration of Christmas. Overt commercialism is an obvious example, and it is easy to become cynical. However, if we become negative and defensive about the lack of Jesus-focus at this time then we blind ourselves to the opportunities we have to speak of the wonderful Christmas story in the carols we all sing.
“Furthermore, this opportunity leads us to share its fulfillment with the even-better Easter story.”
About Jon Seccombe
Jon Seccombe is a musician and Christian composer who has been writing Christian Worship music and carols for 4 decades and has led music in a number of Sydney churches. He trained at the NSW Conservatorium of Music & has an Honours degree in Ancient & New Testament History. For more information on Jon Seccombe Music visit https://jonseccombemusic.com/ where you can find the music for Christmas is Here Again, sheet music and other beautiful Christmas carols that Jon has written.