And Another Dinner Conversations Christmas

Dinner Conversations co-hosts Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer holly jolly their way through a half-hour of holiday songs and conversations featuring some of Christian music's favorite artists — Matt Maher, Danny Gokey, Crystal Lewis, Ginny Owens and Jaci Velasquez and Nic Gonzales. Plus, Mark and Andrew perform special acoustic Christmas classics.

 

Transcript

Mark: Okay, now how do you do C minor?

Andrew: Oh, C minor?

Mark: Yeah.

Andrew: One, two, three. Put your fat finger right over there.

Mark: Right there?

Andrew: Yup.

Mark: Mary, did you know that your... That's all I know. I just learned how to play the ukulele. Welcome to our Christmas edition.

Mark & Andrew: Of Dinner Conversations.

Mark: Turning the Christmas light on one episode.

Andrew: One bulb at a time.

Mark: Period.

Andrew: Oh, episode.

Mark: The Christmas episode.

Andrew: We did two last year and it was too, too, much. Well, it was only one too much, 'cause we're doing one this year.

Mark: So what do you like about Christmas?

Andrew: Honestly, this is not just because this is a Dinner Conversations episode with lots of music, but I love Christmas music. It's so sad.

Mark: Is it?

Andrew: I think it's so melancholic in a way.

Mark: Christmas music?

Andrew: In a beautiful way.

Mark: A lot of them are done in the minor key. Mary, did you... Hey, why don't we start off with Crystal Lewis.


Crystal Lewis singing “Go Tell It On the Mountain” featuring Blaine Johnson

[Director] You can go ahead and roll cameras, roll audio.

Yeah, oh
While shepherds kept their watchin’
O'er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light
Shepherds feared and trembled
When low above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
Jesus Christ is born

When I was a seekerI sought both night and day
I asked the Lord to help me
And he showed me the way
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
God sent our salvation
That blessed Christmas morn

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
Jesus Christ is born
Said go, go
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
Yeah, yeah, Jesus Christ, he's born
Jesus Christ is bornJesus Christ is born

Merry Christmas, everybody.


Andrew: What do you love about Christmas?

Mark: Doughnuts.

Andrew: Gross.

Mark: Anytime of year.

Andrew: It's so gross.

Mark: Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, holidays. Hanukkah, oh, nothing like a doughnut on Hanukkah.

Andrew: I don't know that Jewish people eat doughnuts.

Mark: I'm Jewish. I'm 11% Jewish. Don't talk to me about my Jewish heritage.


Andrew: You know what, tell me a little bit about this jacket that you're slobbering all over.

Mark: Well, in 1992, when I was young and just getting started and wanted to be seen and recognized I started buying stupid clothes. 'Cause they called me a comedian I didn't wanna be comedian. But they're, hey, you're a comedian, okay. So I bought clothes that went along with that. I had a striped suit that I wore in People magazine. I had that same striped suit I wore on the cover of CCM Magazine. So that striped suit, I wish I had that back. I gave it away once I got.

Andrew: Maybe someone has it.

Mark: I don't know, but, I took all these clothes to the Baptist Children's Home.

Andrew: Tennessee Baptist Children's Home.

Mark: And said, “Hey, y'all want these?” 'Cause I thought the kids would enjoy these fun clothes so I, that's the last I saw 'em 'til today when you brought this in.

Andrew: And someone who goes to my church, it was their son that you gave this jacket to.

Mark: Well, I gave it to the Children's Home and he must have gone in there and stolen it.

Andrew: I think they were at the Children's Home.

Mark: Oh, maybe he was one of the children.

Andrew: I think he was.

Mark: Well, I'm wearing it today. Thank you, Rick, for lending me my jacket. Who's singing next?


Matt Maher singing “Hark the Herald! Angels Sing”

Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold him come
Offspring of the virgin's one
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see
Hail, Incarnate Deity
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

And the angels, they sing
And the heavens, they ring
Won't you raise up your voice
Join the song of the King
Singing glory to God
And peace on the earth
Sing it out now, song of the King

La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, la, lie, lie
La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, la, lie, lie

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all he brings
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

And the angels, they sing
And the heavens, they ring
Won't you raise up your voice
Join the song of the King
Singing glory to God
And peace on the earth
Sing it out now, song of the King

La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, la, lie, lie, lie
La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, la, lie, lie, lie
La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, la, lie, lie, lie
La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, lie
La, la, la, la, lie, lie, lie


Available now! Season One of Dinner Conversations on DVD

Mark: Season One of Dinner Conversations is available now. This four-disk DVD features all the table talk from our first season, plus never before seen bonus content.

Andrew: Buy your copy of the new Dinner Conversation DVD set wherever you shop for the items you love and head over to dinner-conversations.com for exclusive show merchandise available only online.

Mark: So we got one seat left, and it's yours. Join us for Dinner Conversations.

Andrew: Turning the light on, one question at a time.

Andrew: All right, so you know one of my favorite things about Christmas is games. After music, it's games, and you remember last.

Mark: I like games, too, but.

Andrew: You don't like my games?

Mark: Well?

Andrew: Okay, but you're gonna play with this one.

Mark: Okay.

Andrew: This game.

Mark: Okay.

Andrew: All right, so I'm gonna hum.

Mark: And honestly, people, I have no idea what we're fixin' to do, isn't that right? Do you testify to this?

[Man] True.

Mark: They wouldn't tell me what we're, so I. You're hearing it same time I am and God help us.

Andrew: Okay. So I'm going to hum a Christmas tune and you're gonna try to guess it.

Mark: How many notes I get?

Andrew: Oh, I don't know, just, like, first phrase.

Mark: Now, will they be in pitch, flat or sharp?

Andrew: I sing beautifully, you just.

Mark: I need to pay attention to sharp or flat?

Andrew: I get a little sharp.

Mark: Oh, okay, I'll pay attention.

Andrew: Ready?

Mark: Hark the herald… Is that?

Andrew: But you're flat.

Mark: Angels sing

Andrew: Good, okay, one point for Mark.

Mark: That isn't the way it goes.

Andrew: It's exactly the way it goes.

Mark: Hark the…

Andrew: Doesn't it?

Mark: Does it, anyway, go ahead.

Andrew: Second one.

Mark: Do I get to give you one?

Andrew: No, not yet.

Mark: Okay. … I’ll do it in my key. Oh little town of Bethlehem

Andrew: Very good, I was playing this.

Mark: I don't know if you did the right notes.

Andrew: With Chris, our assistant director, earlier, and he.

Mark: He didn't get it?

Andrew: No, he didn't get any of these.

Mark: Wow.

Andrew: Okay, I'm gonna give you three more.

Mark: I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus

Andrew: Oh my gosh, I did not.

Mark: Underneath the mistletoe last night

Andrew: Okay, okay, your mom didn't kiss Santa Claus.

Mark: She didn't see me creeping

Andrew: Did your mom believe in Santa Claus?

Mark: Down the stairs to take a peep. Yes, she did. I believed in Santa Clause 'til I was 18.

Andrew: Okay, listen.

Mark: Oh, I've heard of that. I don't think we did that one though. … Is that right?

Andrew: You don't know it, do you?

Mark: No.

Andrew: You got like three seconds. Three, two.

Mark: I don't.

Andrew: “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” finally got one.

Mark: Oh, I don't know that one.

Andrew: You don't? It was the first thing you learn on piano.

Mark: I've heard it, but it's nothing I've ever played.

Andrew: When you take piano lessons, it was the first thing.

Mark: I never played on it.

Andrew: Okay, last one.

Mark: Oh, I know that one.

Andrew: What is it?

Mark: It sounds a lot like, if it was in pitch. No, do it again. Mary did you know… Is there another song that's that?

Andrew: No, that's “Mary, Did You Know?”

Mark: Okay, I thought it was a trick question.

Andrew: It's not a trick. Do you remember who sang “Mary, Did You Know?” right here for us on this Christmas special?

Mark: Oh, yeah.

Andrew: Tell us about that experience.

Mark: Well, Danny Gokey. Yeah, when he was here, he sang “Mary, Did You Know?” And it was a moment. I mean, I've heard it a billion times, right.

Andrew: But you cried.

Mark: I did, don't hold that against me. I was touched, I was moved. I mean, first of all, his voice, right, it's amazing. And he's anointed, it's without repentance. God passes out anointing like we pass out Halloween candy. He just, if you got it, you got it, if you don't, you don't. He's got it. And I heard from home.

Andrew: Lucky for us he sang it that day. Today for the Christmas special, I'll be singing it.

Mark: Okay, you're gonna sing it?

Andrew: No, I'm not. Danny's gonna sing it.

Mark: Oh, Danny.


Danny Gokey singing “Mary, Did You Know?”

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would one day walk on water
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new
This child that you delivered
Would soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would calm a storm with his hands
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God

Mary, did you know
Mary, did you know
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb
Oh, Mary

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation
Oh Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven's perfect lamb
The sleeping child you're holding
Is the great I am
He's the great I am

Oh, the blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
He's the great I am
He's moved me, he's healed thee'
Cause he's the great I am
He shall be called wonderful
A counselor, he's the great I
There's healing in his hands
And lightning in his eyes
Truly this man is
He's the great I am

Andrew: Yeah.

[Man] Mark, it's actually not bad.

Mark: Oh my Lord, have mercy, I'm in tears.

Danny: Because of bad notes?

Mark: 'Cause it was so anointed.

Danny: Thank you.

Mark: Oh my Lord, have mercy, y'all.

Danny: Man, wow, you guys, Mark.

Mark: You saw it here, live.

Andrew: Mark, I just need to get you closer, but I've never seen this before. Mark's crying.

Mark: I do have a heart.


Andrew: So, I've heard you talk about this before and I think it's a fascinating conversation. Do you think Mary knew?

Mark: I don't know, or I wouldn't have asked.

Andrew: There you have it.

Mark: I mean, that's the truth.

Andrew: Merry Christmas.

Mark: I don't know, how would I know? I obviously don't think she knew he walked on water, he would walk on water, no one knew. She knew what the angel told her but really, what did he tell her? He told her a sword would pierce your heart this is gonna hurt. But, you know, a sword obviously wasn't literal. A sword didn't pierce her heart. But her heart was broken on Calvary when her first-born was mutilated. What else did the angel tell her?

Andrew: I mean, do you think she knew He was the Son of God? Do you think really knew that?

Mark: I think so, I mean. But, see, I don't even think Jesus knew everything. I believe when God came to earth He put aside His omniscience.

Andrew: Right, to live it.

Mark: His omnipresence, He could not be everywhere at once. I'm sure He would walk into a room and say, “Hey, have you seen Peter?”

Andrew: Yeah, yeah.

Mark: “Where's Mama?” Of course, I think he skinned his knee. I think he bled before Calvary. I think he got hungry. I think he became human. And all that that entails. But even what He knew. I believe He grew in favor with God and man as the Scriptures say. And I believe when he studied prophesy like they all did His picture was hanging by all of them. The prophesies were all about Him. I do believe His mother could have had many conversations with Him that we don't know about about the night the angel came.

Andrew: Sure, um hmm.

Mark: Sure, so I don't know, if just like us. I know God a lot better than I do the day I first met him. June 5, 1973 at a church camp in Nacogdoches, Texas called Beulah Land. That Jesus I met there is the same Jesus I know now, but they don't look anything alike.

Andrew: Isn't that interesting.

Mark: So, I don't know.


Luke 1:46-50

And Mary said,

“My soul glorifies the Lord,

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed;

For the Mighty One has done great things for me.

Holy is his name.

Holy is his name.

Holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

From generation to generation.


Andrew Greer singing “My Soul Sings”

Andrew: Two, three.

His favor on meI have been blessed
The mighty one
He's done brave things
He's shown mercy to me
Holy His name
Strength in His arms
He's protecting me

My soul sings
My soul sings
My soul sings
Great is our God
Great is our God

Down in the mire
He pulled me out
Wave after wave
His goodwill flow
By His gracious hands
The hungry will be fed
Though naked and meek
His righteousness
Clothed me in majesty

My soul sings
My soul sings
My soul sings
Great is our God
Great is our God


Mark: Hi, I'm Mark Lowry.

Andrew: And I'm Andrew Greer.

Andrew: This is Dinner Conversations.

Mark: Turning the light on, one question at a time.

Mark: Oh, Father in heaven.

Mark: Are we ready?

Andrew: I think so.

Mark: Our Season Two guests include singer-songwriter Amy Grant, Grammy winner Michael W. Smith with Ginny Owens, and Today Show host Kathie Lee Gifford. American Idol Danny Gokey and Dr. Caroline Leaf. Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton. Author and speaker Lisa Harper. Thistle Farms Founder and Pastor Becca Stevens. Preacher Will Graham with Billy Graham's daughter, Gigi Graham. Gold-selling country artist Julie Roberts. Singing duo Seth & Nirva and multi-award-winning female vocalist Crystal Lewis. Now why is he here? We need to have alcohol tested.

Amy Grant: This just got really weird.

Mark: This goes straight to nowhere.

Andrew: So join us for Season Two of Dinner Conversations.

Mark: Turning the light on one question at a time.

Andrew: That's what happened here. I was looking for someone in their 60s, 70s, 80s.

Mark: Well, you found me.


Ginny Owens | A Christmas Memory

Ginny Owens: One of my favorite Christmas memories is actually a really recent one. I had the opportunity last Christmas to go to a, I guess you'd call it a midnight Christmas Eve service. It started at 10:30 p.m. And after kind of going through the story of Christmas and singing various carols and hearing beautiful music we ended the service with Silent Night and lit candles. And there was just something really beautiful about welcoming Christmas and just thinking so much about what this day means to us the significance of who we're celebrating on this day and doing that kind of in preparation and especially just with other people singing together. So, unlike most Christmases when I'm sleeping in the bed 'cause I don't want to miss Santa or something or I do want to miss Santa, I guess, it was wonderful to actually get to welcome Christmas in in this way.


Nic Gonzales & Jaci Velasquez singing “Noche De Paz”

Noche de paz
Noche de amor
Todo duerme alrededor
Todo el mundo celebra con fe
A ese niño nacido en Belén
Con canciones del corazón
Hoy ha nacido el amor

Noche de paz
Noche de amor
Todo duerme alrededor
Ni los ángeles quieren cantar
Para no despertar al Señor
Todo es paz en la obscuridad
Hoy ha nacido el amor

Come on, Andy.

Noche de paz
Noche de amor
Todo duerme alrededor
Todo el mundo celebra con fe
A ese niño nacido en Belén
Con canciones del corazón
Hoy ha vencido el am
or


Mark Lowry singing “O Come All Ye Faithful”

O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Sing, choirs of angels
Sing in adoration
Oh, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above
Glory to God
All glory in the highest

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Mark: Merry Christmas, everybody! Alright.


Andrew: We got Crystal Lewis singing. Go tell it on the mountain. I sound just like a black woman. Well, Crystal's white, but then.

Mark: Yeah, who's on, let's start over. You don't have to say.

Andrew: I got it.

Mark: Oh, wait, I gotta clean my teeth.

Andrew: Oh, that is gross.

Mark: Well, don't you need to? Oh, you can hear it?

Andrew: It sounds like this. Oh, stop it.

Mark: Okay.

Andrew: Okay, we gotta go.

Mark: Okay, we gotta go. Okay. What's happening?

Mark: That was all brilliant so I hope you save it.

Andrew: There's some great stuff in there.

Mark: We hope you've enjoyed this episode of Dinner Conversations on YouTube.

Andrew: Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel so that you'll be one of the first to know when new episodes are uploaded and ready to view. As well, it helps us a lot if you will comment in the comment section or like or unlike us.

Mark: No, don't unlike us.

Andrew: And don't forget to also check us out on podcast channels whether that's at iTunes or Podcast Bean or wherever you listen, and subscribe there, as well.

Mark: So tune in next week for an episode of Dinner Conversations on YouTube.

Andrew: Turning the light on one question at a.

Mark: Time.


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