Do You See What I See?

Integrity Music, 2006

By Chris Anderson

December 18, 2006

 
Cliché is the oft-chosen weapon for impotent writing and preaching. Imagine this reviewer’s chagrin when the mother of all illustration clichés—the facets of a diamond—came to mind when pondering the brilliance of Todd Agnew’s Christmas album, Do You See What I See.

 

Too-many-a-time the Gospel has been compared to a diamond. The whistle-toothed preacher might say (add whistles on the esses), “Turn the Bible s-stories in His-s marvelous-s light and watch their endless-s facets-s produce dazzling s-sparkles-s.” While I can criticize such ineffective object lessons, alas, I meanwhile fall prey to the same cliché faux pas in this review.

 

The Experiment

If you own a diamond, take time now to hold your diamond up to a light. Turn it slowly. Notice how, as the diamond is turned, the light dances magically before your eyes?

 

Todd Agnew uses this same observational technique to resuscitate wonder into the Christmas story—a.k.a. the birth of our Messiah. We’ve heard about the babe in a manger told so many times from the same third-person viewpoint, our ears and imaginations often fail to grasp its magnificence. The essence of Christmas has been diluted by our tired methods of traditional narration.

 

Enter Todd Agnew, squinting through his jeweler’s lens, marveling over the Nativity’s many facets. What did the birth of Christ look like through the eyes of the drama’s various players? By entering this magical night through differing viewpoints, fresh insights await. That’s what Do You See What I See? is all about.

 

While a few numbers do come up a mite short, on the whole, Agnew's project is a sensationally pleasing album that should not be pigeon-holed into the rock category.  Each song on this CD presents a different perspective—as Joseph, as Elizabeth, as the angels, and others. If the listener plays along with Agnew’s imagination, Christmas regains its splendor.

 

Facet 1: Traditional

The album opens with an Agnew-esque presentation of the Christmas classic, “Do You Hear What I Hear,” complete with symphonic orchestra and angelic choir.

 

Facet 2: The Innkeeper

The role-playing then begins with “No Room in the Inn.” Would the innkeeper have made a room available had he known who was asking? Instead of entertaining angels, the innkeeper was entertaining the Messiah unaware. With a hundred people asking for a room that night, the innkeeper and his wife selfishly reply, “What can you give me?”

 
Facet 3: Joseph

“This is All I Have” explores how unworthy Joseph must have felt as the Messiah’s stepfather. Imagine his disappointment when all Joseph could muster for Immanuel was a feeding trough for a bed. Abashedly Joseph offers his home and his name with humility, considering he was raising the Son of God.

 
Facet 4: Mary

“Magnificat” expresses the praises Mary must have had for God after being overshadowed by the Almighty.

 

Facet 5: Jesus

“Did You Know” asks the enthroned Messiah what He was thinking when He first entered the world. How omnipotent was Jesus at His birth? Did He see the stars as if for the first time, or as if He created them? Did He know He was destined for crucifixion? Agnew boldly inquires, “Did You know or did You wonder?”

 

Facet 6: Elizabeth

Track 6 holds a lullaby, “Sleep Well,” sung by Elizabeth to her baby boy.  She coos her child to sleep, urging him to rest tonight, because tomorrow he has a big job as the Messiah’s herald.

 

Facet 7: Simeon

When has the Christmas story ever been told through the character of Simeon? “He Is Called Jesus” discloses the thankfulness and joy Simeon must have felt when he saw God’s promised Messiah brought to the temple for blessing. Simeon could now die in peace, knowing that God had kept His word.

 

Facet 8: The Magi

Did the Wise Men know whom they would find by following the eastern star or were they blown away? By the end of “God with Us,” listeners find their heart bowing in reverence alongside the Magi to the majesty of Christ Jesus.

 

Facet 9: The Angels

“Glory to God” shatters preconceived molds that might be applied to Agnew, with a high-energy “Jeron Davis-type” production. The angels jitter in anticipation, “Can we sing yet? Can we shout yet?” Indeed, the angels must have been bursting at the seams to tell the world about the birth of the Messiah!

 

Facet 10: The Shepherds

Every morning the shepherds had watched the beauty of the “Bethlehem Dawn,” but on this morning, nothing could compare to the light that had been revealed to them that night. 

 
 
The Hope Diamond

Looking for a great Christmas gift and can't afford that diamond ring? Perhaps Do You See What I See? will likewise bring a magic glint to your recipient's eye. After listening interactively, your soul will glean a deeper understanding and appreciation for the greatest gift ever given, Immanuel.

 
ninetyandnine.com
 

© 2006, Chris Anderson

 

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Before his conversion in 1999, Chris Anderson served as Program Director and deejay for several Central Illinois radio stations, including the Classic Rock, Modern Rock, Country, and Top 40 formats. During this time BC, he also managed several rock, folk, and death metal bands, while also performing in a heathen rock act called Joyhammer. Chris is also a recent graduate of Urshan Graduate School of Theology. His favorite Christmas tune:  “The Ballerina Song” by Kenny Rogers from his album Christmas from the Heart . . . seriously.