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MUS:Rock Online magazine 12/88 * *** "Lead me to the 'Rock' * * * * * * that is higher than I" (Ps 61:2) * * * *********** *** ***** -------------------------------------------------------------- THE 'ROCK' ON-LINE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE (C) Copyright 1988 All Rights Reserved. // Vol 2, #8 Special CHRISTMAS Edition 1988 \\ Publisher/Editor: Diane R. Gambino -------------------------------------------------------------- **PLEASE NOTE: THE 'ROCK' ON-LINE is a copyrighted publication. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine can be reproduced electronically or in any other form without special permission of its editor-in-chief, Diane R. Gambino. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessary those of the editor/publisher. The 'Rock' On-Line Magazine is a member of the Gospel Music Association. |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ TABLE OF CONTENTS ^ ^ <>Editorial ^ <>Sharing The Spirit: Thoughts, recollections, and celebrations of the season by the singers, musicians, and readers ^ <>Concert reviews: Rick Cua & Amy Grant by Tom Zerucha ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ///FROM THE EDITOR'S COMPUTER..... Almost every store that displays holiday items, now begins displaying them as early as the summer...let's face it, after June Graduations, what is the next big money-grabbing holiday that they can push? There are so many Christmas trees for sale: artifical, real, green, white, complete with snow, birds, revolving, musical, you name it - they probably sell it. It is easy for most of us to grow cold and commercial at the thought of Christmas decorations...but not for me. So, I offer you this idea or thought, which is the way that I see it. The songs say, the Church says, the Bible teaching says it too (without using the word 'Christmas') - that Christmas is in your heart. If it's really there first - then I think that you can 'bypass' the thoughts of commercialism and turn them into 'worshipping in the Spirit'. Take the tree decorations for example. I have even seen ornaments that look like food processors, or bird feeders. What does all this have to do with Christmas? Nothing, right? Well, maybe not, but it doesn't mean that you can't turn it into a blessing! Say for example that you like to cook...or you like to feed the birds....this is something that you've put your heart, soul, and spirit into doing. You do this throughout the year and you do it well, you do it 'happy' (God loves a cheerful giver!) So now, when you put these ornaments on your Christmas tree because they represent you, the things you love, the 'gifts' that God has given you (charity, love) to use thru out the year - the commercialism can turn into a 'special blessing', a reason to rejoice and be thankful. The tree has it's own very special and important 'message' for me, too. To me, it symbolizes and reflects Jesus in our lives. The size of the tree also has significance for me - the tall ones especially, that are displayed once a year, in all their splendor, remind me of the Lord reigning in my home and in my heart. Trees beautifully decorated, from the heart, can represent in part how magestic He is - in all of the earth. We look up at the star, and our special hand-picked ornaments and can be thankful of Who He Is for us and who we are in Him. Even secular Christmas songs have their place in this special season of worship. If they didn't, do you think that He would allow the so-titled Christmas classics or annual holiday songs to be played year after year. Grant you, songs like "White Christmas", "Winter Wonderland", or "The Christmas Song" have nothing to do with the birth of Christ, yet what they can have to do with Christmas nowadays is a sense of family, a sense of people getting together in their thoughts, and deeds, for this special occasion. "May your days be merry and bright/ And may all your Christmasses be white" - may not have very much meaning unless you consider how beautiful and peaceful the world looks after a snowfall! What's wrong with well wishes in a song? "And so I'm offering this simple phrase..../Merry Christmas to you" - from "The Christmas Song" shows a person wishing a universal 'Merry Christmas' to all. It is probably the only time of year when such positive feelings in lyrics can reign. The lights and outside decorations that are put up for Christmas can be seen as a form of 'neighborhood competition' of who can put up the most lights and ornaments >OR< they can depict the 'excitement', and the joy of Christmas. The lights for Jesus, the light of the world. Lastly, there is the question of Santa Claus. Waiting for him to come...being children%...if we're good, he'll bring us 'our reward'*, if we're not, he's left us a solemn warning of what he'll do@ and offers the plea to be 'good for goodness sake'#. (Check these out: % = 1John 5:1; * = Isaiah 40:10, Ps 85:13; @ = Prov 14:11; # = 1Tim 4:8; Rom 12:2; Phil 4:9). I am not intimating that Jesus is Santa Claus or Santa Claus is Jesus - but finding Jesus even within the secular celebration of His Birthday - makes sense to me! Hopefully, this will give you a different eye or a different perspective to 'see' thru the commercialism to the blessings. A VERY MERRY and BLESSED CHRISTMAS and HAPPY, HEATHLY and BLESSED NEW YEAR - all thru out 1989 to all those who share in this very special on-line fellowship, worshipping and knowing God through-His-music in, THE 'ROCK' ON-LINE MAGAZINE. Please be advised that due to the length of this special issue, there will be a supplement to this issue released shortly which will review both Christian and new music. In Him, Diane ***** * * **** **** **** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ***** ***** **** ***** *** * * * * * *\ * * * * * * * \ * ***** * * * * * \ **** ***** * * ***** * * * * * * * * * ****** *** * * * * * * * * * * * ***** ***** ***** * ***** * ***** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ***** ***** * ***** * * * * * *\ * * * * * * \ * * ***** * * * \ * * ****** ***** * * * * * * * * **** * * * * * * ****** * * * * ***** * * * * * * * * ****** * ***** * * * * * * * * * * * ***** * **** * * **** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *** * * * * * * * * * * * * *** **** *** **** The 'Rock' On-Line Magazine asked 4 questions of its readers as well as the artists and musicians who sing/play Christian Music, so that their responses would become part of the the special <>FELLOWSHIP CHRISTMAS ISSUE<> of the magazine. The number of people who participated with their recollections, thoughts, and recipes is overwhelming. The questions asked were: 1. Would you share a fond Christmas memory? 2. Tell what the holiday/Christmas season means to you. 3. Send your own personal greetings to the other readers. 4. Share a favorite family recipe. The following pages should be cherished. Thanks to all who participated - you are the reason this special Christmas issue is so special. [Please note that due to her tour schedule, Star Song TWILA PARIS was unable to reply in this issue, however, we hope to include her response in the January issue, due out in December. - drg] ++++++++ IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THE FOLLOWING RECOLLECTIONS, THOUGHTS, AND HOLIDAY IDEAS WILL BRIGHTEN YOUR CHRISTMAS SPIRIT AND SEASON..... From: CYNTHIA CLAWSON, (DaySpring Recording artist) - "My most treasured Christmas memory is of the year 1982 when my family gathered in our home in Nashville. It had been a rough year on all of us, personally and financially; so we exchanged presents of personal items that we knew would have great meaning to the other family member. We exchanged much love and many tears that year. (My other favorite memory is of 1958 in Yoakum, TX, when I found in my stocking a jar of Apple Butter and a jar of Hippolite Marshmallow Cream.)" From: KEN NORIAN, (Regional (Long Island, NY) Contributing Writer, T'R'OL) - "So much of the joy of the Christmas season is based on the happy memories of traditions that became a part of our growing up. For me, Christmas Eve has always been a magic sort of time. For years, it was celebrated the same way... In the late afternoon, my parents and I would travel from central Long Island to Flushing where my grandparents lived. I'd feel something special beginning as we drove in the car and listened to the Christmas carols on the radio. At my grandparents, we'd always have a meal of venison and potato pancakes, and then we'd go into the living room for the first round of presents. Then, while everyone cleaned up, I'd go into a small back bedroom and watch "Handel's Messiah" (which channel 13 presented each year). Then, we'd pack up the car and all head back home where we'd all doze off in front of our tree until Midnight Mass. (This was and still is the highlight of the Christmas season for me). I belonged to a rather small Episcopal Church, but on Christmas Eve the church would be >>packed<<. I was an acolyte, and remember that the altar would be filled with trees and pointsettas...as youngsters, we'd play and hide in them! There were candleabras down both sides of the church...and since our pastor was chaplain for the local fire department, there would always be uniformed fireman standing guard!! The whole evening came to a climax when our pastor would bless the creche, and put Baby Jesus in it...all the lights would be turned out...everyone had a little candle, and a star would be lit at the highest part of the altar near the roof... and we'd all sing "Silent Night"....I can still close my eyes and feel it. In the background, I hear Lionus from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" saying, "I'll tell you what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown..." and then going on to read the Christmas story from Luke. Christmas is a time of the year when the celebration of Christ's coming into the world touches all...in addition to a time of joy and peace, it is also a perfect time to evangelize - to share the source of our joy - Jesus." From: TONY STANCATO (Queens, NY) - "My Christmas memory: I remember trying to stay up all night on Christmas Eve one year because I knew Baby Jesus (South America's equivalent of Santa) was aware I had been good (for at least 24 hours, anyway) and that he was rewarding me with a View Master viewer. Well, I must have fallen asleep before he made his rounds... - I still have that 30-year old View Master and the seven reels that came with it." From: DOM GIAMPAOLO (Regional Contributing Writer (Illinois), T'R'OL) - "My most memorable Christmas was last year.My parents are not (yet) Christians so Christmas was always very secularized. But the last few years I have gone to Christmas Eve services at church. One time there was a communion service and it was special in that it was a small group that year. From that point I have had my own communion on the eve of Christmas. Its a time for reflection of the year for me (instead of New Years Eve) and a renewing of my commitment to Christ and what He has called me to do. Last year was so special to me because my wife was finally able to welcome in the Christmas hour in prayer and communion with me. I can't tell you how nice it was to share that with someone I love. It was great. I expect that each year as our family will grow it will get increasingly more special." From: GREG X. VOLZ - (Myrrh recording artist) - "One very special memory for me is when I crawled underneath the Christmas tree; laid flat on my back; gazed directly up into the center; marveled at the lights and all the special ornaments wondering how exciting the first Christmas Eve must have been. I remember thinking that if the excitement of one beautifully decorated tree made me feel so wonderful; how creation must hae felt when it sensed its Creator, the very one who formed the earth with all it's beauty, was coming. When I remember that young child, I sense such thankfulness arise within. Knowing still, that as I stand and gaze at a Christmas tree, my mind soars quickly back to that day long ago when God showed me His goodness. I only hope that the child within will always stay simple in his faith toward the creator. Understanding, that the same One who created this glorious earth for us to behold, also sent His only son that we may abide with Him always." From: CHRIS HOLTEN ("Cowboy country", Wyoming) - First, we go to the Big Horn Mountains with a group of friends to cut a fresh Christmas tree. That in itself is tremendous fun. It's a really fun outing. We even have an outdoor barbeque with all sorts of good things to eat....The tree decorating is a family affair. We are always sure to put Aaron's decorations right up at the top of the tree. Cutting your own tree and making a family affair out of decorating it truly gets the spirit of Christmas off to a fine start. My wife always does her Christmas shopping months before Christmas, whereas, I wait until Christmas Eve. Aaron and I go out for presents. Most of the small business's are usually set up on Christmas eve with special Christmas foods and eggnog that they and their employees share with customers. Sometimes you'll see Wasselers (Carolers that just get together informally and do it for the fun of it) wandering around the neighborhood singing. - Christmas Eve evenings are reserved for the kid's Sunday school Christmas programs, and they are really fantastic. Anybody that doesn't go to Church on Christmas Eve to watch the Childrens Christmas program is truly a grinch. I can't imagine Christmas without them. When I hear people whining about not having the spirit of Christmas, I'm pretty confident they missed the Children's Program. Some years we go to Glenrock to celebrate Midnight Mass in Christchurch. It is a beautiful little log Church that the Episcopal Guild decorates with hand made decorations and pine boughs. When I was a kid, they would put hundreds of candles in the log rafters. It is the most beautiful church that I have ever been in at Christmas time. Really gives one the feeling of Christmas. Before we go to bed on Christmas Eve night, we always hang the stockings on the fireplace and my son Aaron sets out some milk and cookies for Santa and some carrots for his reindeer. (When I was a kid on the ranch, we would put a broken bale of hay out in the yard for Rudolf and the reindeer -- Aaron is disappointed that he has to feed them carrots but hay is a mite scarce in the city at Christmas time). - After he has gone to bed, my wife Charlene and I set up all the presents, fill the stockings and be sure to take all the carrots, and all but one cookie. I take a bite out of the last cookie, and drain the milk down to a quarter of a glass. On Christmas Day, it's a family tradition, that whoever has the youngest child gets to have the morning celebration and Christmas dinner. Aaron is the youngest child in our family, so all the rest of the kinfolk - 20 to 30 of them) come over. Our family caters to young children that believe in Santa Claus on Christmas morning. Once the whole family is together, we open presents. It usually takes about 2 to 3 hours. Then the family goes their different ways for the next couple of hours (Some to church, some to visit friends.). The family then re-assembles for a Christmas dinner. Most of the family stays around until 7 or 8 in the evening, finishing off the apple pie and turkey, before we finally realize that it's going to be a whole year before we get to enjoy Christmas again. From: TERRI GIBBS ( New Canaan recording artist) [shares her favorite holiday recipe] - It's CREAMY LIME SALAD 1 three oz pkg lime jello (regular or NutraSweet) 1 eight oz can of crushed pineapple, DRAINED 1 tbs lime juice 1 cup cream-style cottage cheese 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup celery (fine chopped) 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 three oz can of evaporated milk Disolve jello in a 3/4 cup of boiling water. Stir slightly. Stir in evaporated milk. Chill until thickened but NOT SET. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into 8 inch square pan or mold. Chill until firm. Serves 8. From RIC FLORIAN (lead singer of the group WHITE HEART, Sparrow recording artists) - "I don't have a specific Christmas that was probably more important than the rest. When I think of Christmas, I think of family. It is a time when I know that I am going to see my mom and dad and family. Christmas time is a time of thanksgiving, a time for being with one another. It's a sharing time - and a time for sharing love with one another. From CYNTHIA CLAWSON (DaySpring recording artist who sings "Immortal Invisible") - "What the Holiday Season means to me is that it is a reminder of all the goodness of humanity." From GREG X. VOLZ (Myrrh recording artist whose lead voice is heard on Petra's "Beat the System") - "Christmas is a very special time with my family. It is a time of reuniting for us. I travel alot ministering in concerts and our times of being together are very special to me. I have four children so it actually is quite a "gathering". Knowing how fortunate we are to have one another, when so many people are alone this time of year, makes this time even more precious. Christmas seems to awaken an urgency for a deeper committment to the Lord within myself. For me, it is a very soul searching time. Understanding that God gave me the most precious gift anyone could, makes everything come into better focus." From: RICK CUA (Reunion recording artist) - Christmas is difinitely my favorite time. The ones I remember the most was a Christmas in Syracuse, New York. We could usually get a nice snowfall Christmas eve, and this particular Christmas it started to snow some pretty big flakes late at night on Christmas Eve. By the time we woke up in the morning we had about 12 or 14 inches of snow - it was a really big snowfall. We went to my mother-in-law's for the early meal and then to my mother's for the late meal and on my way to my mother-in-law's, I remember that the snow got so deep that the car got stuck - and we spent all afternoon pulling my car out of the snow. Wow! I mean right in the middle of the street it stopped, but so was everyone else's car, so it turned out to be a Christmas where everybody was stuck all over the place on their way to relatives or parties or family or whatever. So I kind of remember that Christmas more than any...But you know once again, Christmas is just such a special time for me that being with the family is the most important thing, and whether there is snow or whether there isn't, no matter what the circumstances that surround it are, if we're together as a family, that's the main thing. From: BRYAN BOYLE (Somerset, New Jersey) - "It was December 24th, 1985, it was cold (-10 f), it had just snowed and I was spending Christmas in the midwest. my friend (lady) was going to dinner (avec moi) at her parents--all the kids and me there, along with relatives from different areas that had come over for the holidays. Everyone was asked to bring a special dish (mine was white turnips and carrots mashed with salt and butter...i know, ugh, but it is good). The turkey was freshly killed the day before. After the inevitable gorging at the table, the next door neighbors showed up in (yes, this is true...) a 2-horse sleigh (complete with bells and warm blankets)-- so, we all climbed in, and we sleighed to the downtown part of the city where there was a Christmas carol sing-along at 4pm in the plaza area. It was probably one of the nicest, most homey Christmases I have ever spent." From: ARMANDO IAZZETTI (Bronx, NY) - This Christmas story is how an old 'mothers tale' of Santa bringing coal to a "bad boy" turned out to be an eye opener for a parent. Christmas of 1982 was a good season. There was some extra money for the holidays. Family and friends were coming over to celebrate the birth of Christ and also to make Christmas a great time for the kids. I dressed as Santa and was carrying two big sacks of wrapped toys and gifts for the 10-15 or so kids at my house. I had left at about 11:30 PM and said I was going to get some soda and be would right back. What I did was run out into the garage and dressed up as Santa Claus. I sneaked back in to the house thru the back door and coming in from basement I started ringing my Christmas bell. All the children were screaming and jumping for joy as Santa was here. Some were worried because they believed they were suppossed to be sleeping and that Santa would not "produce." (A little pre history would let you better understand what transpired that night. My son, who is now 11, was 5 years old that year and he was tough to handle that Christmas Eve. With all the confusion of preparation and the holiday it was a tough day for me and my wife. He was just unbearable. >NOW<, I realize that the excitment of Christmas and receiving gifts really excites a kid so he runs on high octane, especially Christmas eve. I had told him that if a child is bad, Santa will bring him/her a bag of "coal" for Christmas. Now, back to where I left off.) There I was, coming up the stairs ringing my Christmas bells. When I walked into the room, the faces of the children was a sight to see. The look of both anticipation and fright is something that every parent will shed tears over, tears of joy, that is. I handed out gifts to the children, saving my own for last, and asking each child if they have been good or bad. I finally came to my son and ask the same question and of course he asnwered that he was good. (Here's where my biggest error as a parent happened.) I told him that as Santa I am aware that he was bad and that I "see him when hes sleeping and know when he awake", etc. While I was in the garage changing into this Santa suit I had put some charcoal in a paper bag. Not "really" thinking of the hurt and dismay I would cause. So I continued by telling him that I knew he had been misbehaving and not listening to his mom and dad and because of that he was getting this bag of coal. The look on his face when he open the bag, broke my heart. My heart and soul fell to the floor. He saw all his brothers and cousins getting gifts and all he thought he was getting was a bag of coal. Of course I had his gift in the bag and some under the tree already but the disappointment in Santa that night was enough to make me vomit and Santa was me. I immediately picked him up and asked him if he was going to be a good boy and gave him all his gifts at once, not knowing really how to correct this injustice I had just done to my own son. I gave him all my attention that night when I returned as 'myself'. The other children tried to tell me about what happened to him, but I just wouldn't let them. I really learned a lesson that night too - and from Santa Claus!". From: SHARON KURLAND (Staten Island, NY) - "When I was a kid, my folks used to get me LOTS of Chanukah presents and since my mother did her shopping early, she had to find good hiding spots, and she sure was innovative! I remember when we first moved into this house, there was a huge carton in the upstairs foyer that had been there for months. It turned out she had emptied it one day while I was at school, and filled it will all my gift-wrapped Chanukah presents. I walked by the carton hundreds of times but never thought to look in there. I had a good laugh when I saw the gifts come out of it." From: DAVE SHIELDS (South Dakota) - "When I was a boy, Christmas held a special warmth for me, for that was the one time, really, when my family gathered together and had fun. It was always the same. A couple of weeks before Christmas, my Dad and I would hit a Xmas tree lot and pick out the 'right' tree for our den. (I remember him groaning the time one cost as much as $5!). The four of us (Mom, Dad, my sister and I) would decorate it one night amid the sounds of Christmas carols and with homemade eggnog. The creche went into the fireplace maw and the large electric candles my father made would be lugged into the yard, then we'd put a wreath on the door, and some lights in the windows. The feeling I remember is 'security.' Christmas itself, however, was spent at Grandfather Shields,' so after work on Friday, we'd pack the car with gifts and us, and head from Milwaukee to Cedar Rapids, IA. Always an adventure! In good weather, it was a five hour trip. In bad ??? One time, I remember, it was icy. At the top of a high hill, Dad lost it and the car made three complete revolutions, 'round and 'round and 'round, until at the bottom we found ourselves on the right side of the highway going the right direction, so we never missed a beat! Being young, I blurted, "That was fun; let's do it again!" I was also swiftly committed to silence by the glares from the front! Grandpa's was a place with pipe-smells and the regular meter of a cuckoo clock, the place where the old man and my maiden aunt lived in a house built before the turn of the century. Their tree was bigger than ours, fuller, laden with lights, bulbs, and tinsel. And the gifts were deep and wide! And folks would gather and tell stories about the old days, or just catch up on what everyone was doing. On Christmas Eve, we opened the gifts. My sister and I always passed them out. First the large stockings bulging with 'stocking stuffers,' which really seemed more fun than the 'real' gifts, for they were toys, jokes or useless things. Then the other gifts. The opening was always with shouts and showings and everybody laughing and talking at once. All this with cookies, candies, soft drinks, and maybe a hi-ball for the others. Then after a while, it all subsided into the familiar sharing and being together that this season gives. Finally, my uncle and his wife would head to the Greek Orthodox Church for services, my ancient Grandfather would go to bed, and the rest of us would marshall ourselves for Midnight Mass at St Pat's, where the family had worshipped for years and years and years. - Christmas Day was the time for visiting and being visited, playing with the new games, and preparing for the big Christmas dinner. Looking back, Christmas was when we laughed the most and revelled in telling our stories. Nearly all the photos from my childhood are Christmas pictures -- happy, red-faced people surrounded by papers and boxes and food! It seems like we were most 'family' at Christmas." From: NANCY CALZARETTA (Staten Island, NY) - "This is a holiday favorite in my house. STUFFED ARTICHOKES 4 medium artichokes 1/2 cup of oil Water and Salt (as specified in recipe) -----Stuffing Ingredients----- 1 cup flavored bread crumbs 3/4 cup grated parmesean cheese 1/4 cup dried garlic bits (or preferably, 20 cloves fresh garlic, diced) 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper Mix these ingredients together, and let stand. Prepare the artichokes by cutting the top inch off at the leaf end, and the stem at the base of the choke. (The artichoke should "stand up" when placed on a flat surface) Throw away the leaf cuttings, but save the stems. With your fingers, pry and loosen the leaves from the center of the choke outwards, and run cold water inside. Sprinkle generously with salt. Let stand for 5 minutes, and then rinse the chokes well with clear cold water. Shake to drain excess water out of the chokes. Using the stuffing mixture, fill each leaf cavity with using a tea spoon. Be sure you fill as full as possible. Chokes will get very large! Place the filled chokes, along with the cut stems in a large pot with a lid. Pour oil in the pot, and fill with enough water to come halfway up the chokes. Cover and cook on Medium heat... cooking time varies, but it should take about 1 hour. Watch that the water doesn't boil completely away, as this will cause the bottom of the pan to burn. If the water does boil away, keep adding more water as needed. The artichokes are done when you can pull a leaf off easily. To be sure, taste it, and see if the "meat" of the leaf (at it's base) is tender. Don't know how to eat an artichoke? Pull off the leaves one by one, place the bottom of the leaf between your teeth and pull. Ideally, you should get leaf "meat" and stuffing mixture in each bite! As part of a large holiday dinner, the chokes can be cut in half, and the recipe will serve 8." From: PAT MULCAHY (Sysop of The Generic BBS of Chicagoland, home of The 'Rock' On-Line Magazine) - "My most memorable Christmas was just three years ago. I think the reason it was most memorable was because it was the last one that I was able to really celebrate with my grandmother. The following year she was paralyzed from a stroke and she died before last Christmas. I really miss her; she really knew how to celebrate holidays. Heck, she really knew how to celebrate life. I hope I've learned a lot of that from her. -- That last Christmas we all had together, we were in her new condo, singing Christmas carols together. Grandma liked us to sing together; I think it's because you can't really do carols with a frown on your face. She was checking the turkey, the first real big dinner she cooked in the new place and in the brand-new oven. Dinner wasn't even close to being ready and it was already late. I can remember her peeking around the corner and yelling 'Sing another song ... the turkey's going to be an hour yet!' It was a great celebration; and I'm really glad we were able to do that before she died. I miss her a lot at Christmas now (I miss her a lot always), but I know everything she taught me and shared with me: her faith, her joy, and her love, will always be a part of me. And here's a recipe. I used to make it for Grandma every Christmas; it was her favorite candy. I can't share it with her anymore, but I share it with the rest of my family, and here's my chance to share it with all of you! English Toffee -------------- 2 cups unsalted butter Dash salt 2 cups sugar 1/2 lb. semi-sweet chocolate 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 lb. milk chocolate 2 tablespoons water 1 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (opt.) Cook all ingredients except chocolate and nuts in a heavy saucepan until it reaches 305 degrees (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer. Spread thinly on a cookie sheet. Cool, then cover with melted chocolate and nuts. Cool and coat other side with chocolate and nuts. Break up and serve to family members with big-time sweet tooths (sweet teeth?) or wrap up to give as gifts. Peace, joy, and all God's blessings to all from Pat Mulcahy and all the folks at the Generic BBS, Glen Ellyn, IL!" From RIC FLORIAN (of White Heart): "2000 years ago the Son of God really was born and came down and because of what He's done for us, He deserves everything that we are. He is the reason we have Christmas 352 days a year. - Thanks for your support & prayers, Ric Florian" From GREG X. VOLZ (former lead singer of Petra): "God's best to all of you this Christmas. May His peace abound in your liefe and if you want a real treat - when no one else is around - crawl underneath the tree and catch a glimpse of the lights from the center of the tree - what can I say - Christmas still brings out the child within - but does this child love it!!!!" [ed note - Greg, I've tried it so I know what you're talking about. And I used to think I was the only one who did things like that....diane] From CYNTHIA CLAWSON (whose 1st Christmas lp "CarolSinger" is out this year on WORD Dayspring Records): "My special greeting to the readers comes in the form of the lyrics to a song I wrote for the new lp: Stand still and wait for the night to pass over./ Under cover of darkness the morning will rise./ From the East comes the hope/ And it's dressed up in sunlight./ So rest, close your eyes, and wait one more hour,/ Our joy has come in through the sky. -- Merry Christmas, Cynthia". From RICK CUA (Christian rock singer whose latest lp is "YOU CAN'T STAND TOO TALL) "Merry Christmas to all my friends on The 'Rock' On-Line. I hope you guys have a great Christmas and I hope God's love is strong in your hearts and I hope you can take a little of what God has given you and bless somebody else with the same thing." From: JEFF JOHNSON (Christian instrumentalist, president of ARK Records) - [Editor's note - Jeff responded to my request by sending a beautiful poem, his favorite poem, which he feels reminds him of the true meaning of Christmas. Unfortunately, I was unable to get permission to reprint the poem, however, I did want to mention that Jeff did respond, and has responded on several other occasions. Without ever having met him I feel a great respect for Jeff. As a instrumentalist, he could very well chose a secular marketplace, however he doesn't. His latest lp is WHY SHOULD THE HEART NOT DANCE? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I hope you enjoyed the holiday stories, and thoughts, and I hope they become part of this year's holiday celebration for you. To all my friends who read THE 'ROCK' ON-LINE and who participated in this issue...a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY and BLESSED NEW YEAR! ========================================================= /////////////CONCERT REVIEW - RICK CUA AT WARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LIVONIA, MI 10/1/88 BY TOM ZERUCHA Rick Cua is known for an energetic style of rock, and people attending this one were not disappointed. Cua appeared alone and played a guitar, and sang to recordings. [Editorial note from Tom: The sound system wasn't very good - It may seem like I harp on this too much, but with such important messages to get across, I would like to be able to hear them at a quality better than a phone line to the far reaches of a third world country.] He even led a march through the building on one song. He played songs off all his albums, including >Wear Your Colors<, >Can't Stand Too Tall<, and >Don't say Suicide<. His testimony and just plain talking also got through to the audience, and there was response to his altar call. -------------------------------------------------------- CONCERT REVIEW - AMY GRANT LEAD ME ON WORLD TOUR 1988 with Gary Chapman and Michael W. Smith. THE PALACE, AUBURN HILLS MI, 10/22/88 BY TOM ZERUCHA. Michael W. Smith opened the concert with songs from his latest album, >I 2 Eye< including "Leesha", "Secret Ambition", "Providence", "Always Living and Learning", and songs from his >Big Picture< album including "Rocketown" and "Lamu". As expected, it was a very exciting. Amy Grant then came on starting off with "Love of Another Kind". The concert included most of the songs off >Unguarded< and >Lead Me On<, and a few of the earlier albums. The show itself was very well done with a light show and sound system that made everything even better. Michael W. Smith came back on with Gary Chapman and became a trio with Amy briefly, then Gary Chapman played alone for a while. The trio was assembled for most of the last part of the concert, and the encore. This is probably the concert event of the year for contemporary Christian Music fans. Buy your tickets early, since they will go fast. If you ever thought that a Christian concert could never be as good as a secular one, this will prove it wrong. If you only attend one concert a year, make it this one. ===================================================== >"Lead me to the 'Rock' that is higher than I" (Ps. 61:2) ===================================================== Not responsible for line noise and/or typographical errors.