In my opinion, Chris August is one of those Christian musicians that some people severely misunderstand. You see, some of his pre-Christian music is still available online, and it’s not exactly the kind of music you’d want to see a Christian musician making. But see, that’s the beauty of salvation, that’s the beauty of forgiveness, that’s the beauty of watching Christ work in a person’s life. Christ comes in, and heals the hurt and makes the broken, well, beautiful. Chris August has been forgiven and he’s taken that new life and run with it in a way that glorifies God.
Two years since the release of August’s first Christian CD, No Far Away, he has won the Dove Award for Best New Artist, topped the Christian charts (with Starry Night, alongside 7×70, another Top 10 hit) and earned himself the begrudging respect of an industry that doesn’t quite accept secular musicians making Christian music when the well has otherwise run dry.
Which brings us to Jesus Savior, August’s first Christmas single. Like everything he’s released to date (Starry Night, 7×70, Battle), it’s catchy the first time you hear it. People looking for deeper theology better stick to their Jimmy Needham’s and David Crowder’s, because this is straight-forward storytelling, the kind of music you can play on your iPod or car stereo and not have to mull over, “what deeper meaning could August be saying here?” It’s the Christmas story, pure and simple, put in a really catchy melody and sing-along chorus. My eight-year-old will love this, as will the teens in my youth group and the husbands and wives in my couples’ group. August’s easygoing voice comes into full play and effect with Jesus Savior, and I think it should be a hit, because dang, that chorus will play in your head for hours on end.
After the misstep of Battle, which was lyrically great but musically meh, Jesus Savior, will definitely get August back into radio’s good graces. Good job, Mr. August. Happy holidays.
JESUS SAVIOR
Chris August
Once upon a time in a town called Nazareth, lived an ordinary girl
Mary was her name, and she was engaged to Joseph the carpenter
Suddenly an angel came
Said, “You will have a baby boy.
But don’t be afraid,
God is with you”
“Just call him Jesus, Savior,
Son of God, the King of Kings.”
Our salvation has a name
Jesus, Savior
Precious Lord of everything
Our whole world’s about to change
Mary was confused, and Joseph was, too
He thought, “How could this be?
Cause we’re not married yet, and even if this is some miracle,
Why would He choose you and me?”
Then in a dream, an angel came,
Said, “Joseph you should marry Mary.
Don’t be afraid, this child’s the very Son of God!”
He is Jesus, Savior,
Son of God, the King of Kings.”
Our salvation has a name
Jesus, Savior
Precious Lord of everything
Our whole world’s about to change
And it will never be the same
Glory to God
Peace on Earth
Glory to God
Peace on Earth
Glory to God
He came to save the world
Jesus, Savior
Son of God, the King of Kings
Our salvation has a name
It is Jesus, Savior
Precious Lord of everything
Our whole world’s about to change
It will never be the same
Our whole world’s about to change
