Christmas Music Tells the Story; Zaytuna College

>>> COMING UP, LUCKY SEVERSON VISITS ZAYTUNA COLLEGE, THE FIRST MUSLIM LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE IN THE U.S. ♪♪ >>> AND KIM LAWTON LOOKS AT HOW MUSIC EMBODIES THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.

>>> PLUS, BELIEF AND PRACTICE.

CHURCHES PACKING MEALS BY THE TENS OF THOUSANDS FOR HUNGRY CHILDREN.

>>> WELCOME.

I'M HARI SREENIVASAN, SITTING IN FOR BOB ABERNETHY.

>>> THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS FIGHTING WHAT IT DESCRIBES AS A CLIMATE OF RISING ANTI-MUSLIM BIGOTRY IN THE WAKE OF THE PARIS AND SAN BERNARDINO ATTACKS.

WHITE HOUSE ADVISERS MET WITH ABOUT A DOZEN AMERICAN-MUSLIM LEADERS TO DISCUSS HOW TO BEST COMBAT DISCRIMINATION.

>>> ON THURSDAY, A NONPROFIT COALITION PROMOTING A PROJECT CALLED "KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR" PARTICIPATED IN A WHITE HOUSE EVENT CELEBRATING RELIGIOUS PLURALISM.

"KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR" ENCOURAGES AMERICANS TO SHARE THEIR OWN BELIEFS, AS WELL AS UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT THOSE OF OTHERS.

>>> AND PRESIDENT OBAMA GAVE A SPEECH AT A NATURALIZATION CEREMONY THAT INCLUDED A REFUGEE FROM IRAQ.

HE SAID IMMIGRATION IS AT THE CORE OF OUR NATIONAL CHARACTER.

>>> AT AN INTERFAITH GATHERING AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY PROMOTING INCLUSION AND UNITY, VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SPOKE ABOUT NOT ONLY THE BACKLASH AGAINST MUSLIMS, BUT ALSO REFUGEES.

>> WHEN WE TURN OUR BACKS ON THE VICTIMS OF EVIL AND PERSECUTION, WE ABANDON EVERYTHING WE SAY WE'RE ABOUT.

>> THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF WASHINGTON, CARDINAL DONALD WUERL, ACKNOWLEDGED TERRORISM HAS LED TO TENSIONS IN AMERICA AND CAUSED SOME TO BE FEARFUL.

>> BUT WE, WE MUST NOT ALLOW THESE THINGS TO CHANGE US.

THE ACTIONS OF A FEW MUST NEVER CHANGE ALL OF US.

>> MEANWHILE, AS MANY PLACES OF WORSHIP HAVE BEEN VANDALIZED, ISLAMIC LEADERS AROUND THE U.S. ARE STEPPING UP SECURITY, INSTALLING MORE CAMERAS AND HIRING ADDITIONAL GUARDS FOR MOSQUES.

AUTHORITIES ARRESTED A MAN SUSPECTED OF SETTING A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOSQUE ON FIRE.

>>> POPE FRANCIS RELEASED HIS ANNUAL WORLD DAY OF PEACE MESSAGE, ASKING THAT WORLD LEADERS TACKLE ISSUES SUCH AS UNEMPLOYMENT AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

HE ALSO CALLED FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY.

AND HE ENCOURAGED ALL CATHOLICS TO OVERCOME WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A "GLOBALIZATION OF INDIFFERENCE."

WORLD DAY OF PEACE IS CELEBRATED BY THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH EVERY YEAR ON JANUARY 1.

IN A HOMILY DELIVERED AT A BASILICA IN ROME, POPE FRANCIS URGED HUMANITY TO NOT LET SADNESS PREVAIL, DESPITE THE MANY FORMS OF VIOLENCE AFFLICTING THE WORLD.

AND THE PONTIFF CELEBRATED HIS BIRTHDAY BY GIVING FINAL CLEARANCE FOR MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA TO BECOME AN OFFICIAL SAINT.

FRANCIS DECLARED THAT THE INEXPLICABLE RECOVERY OF A BRAZILIAN MAN FROM A COMA IN 2008 WAS DUE TO THE NUN'S INTERCESSION, MAKING IT HER SECOND MIRACLE.

CATHOLIC CHURCH PROTOCOLS FOR SAINTHOOD GENERALLY REQUIRE EVIDENCE THAT A PERSON LIVED A VIRTUOUS AND HOLY LIFE AND THE ATTRIBUTION OF TWO MIRACLES.

EXPERTS EXPECT MOTHER TERESA TO BE CANONIZED IN SEPTEMBER.

>>> IN BALTIMORE, FAITH LEADERS ARE GATHERING FOR PRAYERS AND URGING PROTESTERS TO REMAIN CALM AFTER A MISTRIAL WAS DECLARED IN THE CASE OF ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF FREDDIE GRAY.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS SAY THEY HOPE JUSTICE WILL ULTIMATELY PREVAIL.

>>> THERE IS A NEW ACCREDITED COLLEGE IN BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, THAT IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER SCHOOL IN THE U.S.

IT'S CALLED ZAYTUNA COLLEGE, AND IT COMBINES ISLAMIC STUDIES AND LIBERAL ARTS.

IT'S THE FIRST MUSLIM LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE IN THE U.S.

THE SCHOOL'S FOUNDERS SAY WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS REVIVING WHAT LIBERAL ARTS TRADITION WAS WITHIN ISLAM.

LUCKY SEVERSON HAS OUR REPORT.

>> THIS IS D ZAYTUNA COLLEGE LOCATED ON HOLY HILL IN BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

IT'S ONE OF THE FEW IN THE WORLD.

IT WAS CO-FOUNDED FIVE YEARS AGO BY INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED SCHOLAR SHEIKH HAMZA.

>> WE FELT WHAT WE NEEDED WAS NOT SO MUCH A SEMINARY BUT MORE OF A LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE BECAUSE A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TODAY IS THAT IT IS SOLELY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, AND SO THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT IT PRODUCES IS OFTEN NOT AS WELL-ROUNDED AS IS NECESSARY TO FULLY INTEGRATE RELIGION INTO A SOCIETY.

>> HE GREW UP IN CALIFORNIA WITH THE ROMAN CATHOLIC FATHER AND A GREEK ORTHODOX MOTHER.

HE WAS TAUGHT TO BE A SEEKER AND CONVERTED TO ISLAM AS A YOUNG MAN WHO THEN JOURNEYED TO THE MIDDLE EAST TO STUDY UNDER SOME OF THE WORLD'S TOP ISLAMIC SCHOLARS.

>> BY AND LARGE, MOST PEOPLE ARE COMPLETELY IN THE DARK ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE IMPACT THAT ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION HAD NOT JUST ON THE SCIENCES, BUT ON THEOLOGY.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS WAS HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY A SAINT IN SPAIN.

>> IT'S A NOTION STUDENTS LIKE AE SHA EBERT FIND VERY APPEALING.

SHE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN CHICAGO ONE DAY AND RUSHED OUT HERE THE NEXT TO BEGIN STUDIES.

>> FOR US IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HOLD ONTO OUR FAITH AND TO DO THAT IN A SPACE WHERE IT'S ENCOURAGED.

TO ENGAGE YOUR INTELLECT BUT ALSO REMEMBER IT GOES WITH YOUR FAITH, AND THEY'RE NOT SEPARATE.

>> MAHAN IS THE DEAN OF FAK SULT.

>> THEY NEED TO INHERIT GREAT IDEAS OF THE PAST, NOT JUST FROM ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION BUT FROM WESTERN CIVILIZATION IN GENERAL BECAUSE WE ARE IN AMERICA.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO VERY FAR TO REALIZE OR RECOGNIZE THAT THE TWO ARE ACTUALLY PART OF THE SAME HERITAGE.

WE'RE REVIVING WHAT THE LIBERAL ARTS TRADITION WAS IN ISLAM.

>> ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO LEARN ARABIC SO THEY CAN GO ON TO STUDY THE CLASSICS.

>> THEN THEY TAKE MATHEMATICS, ASTRONOMY, AND THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE.

ECONOMICS, PHILOSOPHY, ETHICS AND POLITICS.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE BEST PLACES I HAVE EVER TAUGHT.

>> PROFESSOR MARK DALP IS THE ONLY NONMUSLIM ON THE FACULTY.

HE TEACHES PHILOSOPHY.

>> ANY LOOK AT EDUCATION AS A PROCESS OF ATTAINING WISDOM, SO THE REAL INTERESTING THING WHICH MAKES IT LIKE THE DOMINICANS IN A WAY IS THAT THEY LOOK AT THIS AS THEIR SPIRITUAL FORMATION.

IT'S NOT THAT THEY DON'T WORRY ABOUT GETTING JOBS, BUT THEY ARE I BELIEVE TRULY CONVINCED THAT IF THEY GET THE SPIRITUAL FORMATION, THEY'LL BE READY FOR ANYTHING.

>> THERE'S A RELIGIOUS MOTIVATION TO STUDY, AS IN STUDYING IS A FORM OF WORSHIP, AND YOU DON'T REALLY FIND THAT ANYWHERE ELSE.

HERE YOU FIND THAT, AND THERE'S A HUGE EMPHASIS ON WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS NOT ONLY IMPORTANT TO YOU, YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, BUT ALSO TO THE COMMUNITY OF MUSLIMS.

>> JOHN IS A CONVERT.

HE HOPES TO BECOME AN ISLAMIC SCHOLAR.

TODAY HE'S DELIVERING THE WEEKLY SERMON AT THE JUMA PRAYER SERVICE ON THE CAMPUS OF UC-BERKELEY.

ALTHOUGH THERE'S NO FORMAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO SCHOOLS.

>> ONE OF THE EARLIEST STAGES OF MERCY FOR US IS IN OUR MOTHER'S WOMB.

THAT'S WHERE ALLAH IS FORMING US.

>> THE STUDENT BODY IS COMPRISED OF 60 STUDENTS.

ALTOGETHER THEY ARE ALL MUSLIM ALTHOUGH THAT IS NOT REQUIRED.

EACH WILL TAKE THE SAME COURSE WORK AND THOSE WHO GRADUATE WILL HAVE AN ACCREDITED DEGREE IN ISLAMIC LAW AND THEOLOGY.

SOME MAY GO INTO LAW, MEDICINE, MORE SCHOLARLY WORK.

WHAT IS ESPECIALLY EVIDENT HERE IS THAT THE STUDENTS ARE HERE TO LEARN.

>> STUDENTS COME TO ZAYTUNA FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS RELIGIOUS LICK AND EKT NICKLY.

SOME ARE CONVERTS.

THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY HAS CONTRIBUTED $30 MILLION TO THE OPERATION OF ZAYTUNA.

TUITION IS $15,000 A YEAR PLUS ROOM AND BOARD AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT POLICY THAT STUDENTS DO NOT GRADUATE IN DEBT.

>> THERE'S NO STUDENT WHO APPLIES TO ZAYTUNA WHO IS TURNED AWAY FOR LACK OF FUNDS IF THEY'RE QUALIFIED.

SO IF THEY MEET OUR ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND THERE IS A FIT BETWEEN WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT WE OFFER, WE FUND THEM AND THERE ARE STUDENTS, MANY STUDENTS HERE ARE ON A FULL RIDE.

>> Reporter: IT'S A REQUIREMENT THAT ALL STUDENTS DO VOLUNTEER WORK IN THE COMMUNITY, LIKE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OR PLANTING TREES FOR THE FOREST SERVICE.

>> BECAUSE OUR BELIEF IS THAT THE WAY TO SERVE GOD IS THROUGH SERVING HUMAN BEINGS, AND THAT CAN BE AS A LAWYER, AS A JOURNALIST, AS A TEACHER, AS A DOCTOR, BUT THE IDEA THAT WE ARE HERE TO DO SOMETHING MORE THAN BENEFIT OURSELVES IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MUSLIMS.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THE EDUCATION IS CO-ED, THERE ARE SOME DISTINCT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ZAYTUNA AND SECULAR COLLEGES.

ALCOHOL, FOR INSTANCE, IS FORBIDDEN.

SO IS DATING.

>> IN SCHOOL WE WILL ALL STUDY TOGETHER, BUT YOU KNOW, IT WOULDN'T REALLY BE SEEN AS APPROPRIATE IF A GIRL AND A GUY WERE TO GO OUT BY THEMSELVES OFF CAMPUS TO STUDY TOGETHER.

>> DATING IS FORBIDDEN BECAUSE WE DON'T, MUSLIMS DON'T DATE BEFORE THEY MARRY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS, AFTER ALL, AN ISLAMIC SCHOOL.

SHEIKH YUSUF SAYS THE GOAL OF ZAYTUNA IS TO RESTORE ISLAMIC EDUCATION TO WHAT IT WAS 1,000 YEARS AGO WHEN JEWISH, CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIMS SCHOLARS WORKED TOGETHER.

>> WE ARE AT A PARTICULARLY DARK PERIOD IN ISLAMIC TRADITION UNFORTUNATELY, BUT THAT DOES NOT IN ANY WAY DIM THE LIGHT OF ITS CIVILIZATION IN THE PAST.

>> Reporter: OF MUSLIM TERRORISTS, HE SAYS THEY REPRESENT RELIGION GONE BAD.

UNFORTUNATELY, JUST AS OTHER RELIGIONS' EXTREMISTS HAVE GONE BAD OVER THE YEARS.

>> ONE OUT OF EVERY FOUR PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET IS A MUSLIM.

THE IDEA THAT SOMEHOW SOME EVIL MORMALITY COULD HAVE SPREAD LIKE THAT AND LASTED.

I MEAN, EVIL MORALITIES CAN SPREAD FOR VERY SHORT PERIODS OF TIME LIKE NAZISM OR FASCISM, BUT THEY DON'T LAST.

THE THINGS THAT LAST, LAST BECAUSE THEY HAVE PERMANENT TRUTH IN THEM.

>> Reporter: INSIDE ZAYTUNA, THERE IS A PALPABLE AWARENESS THAT EVERY TIME ISIS STRIKES, THEY WILL SUFFER, TOO, EVEN THOUGH SHEIKH YUSUF SAYS THEY ARE AS HORRIFIED AS EVERYONE ELSE.

>> WE ARE TAUGHT ALWAYS TO BELIEVE THAT ISLAM IS TRUE, BUT TO CHALLENGE OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING OF ISLAM.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING A LOT OF ZEALOTS CERTAINLY FAIL TO DO THAT.

THEIR ASSUMPTION IS ALWAYS "I'M RIGHT, GOD HAS INFORMED ME AND THIS IS THE WAY IT IS."

AND SO THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE SOME KIND OF CARTE BLANCHE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER AREA WHERE THE STUDENTS FEEL STIGMATIZED IS THE WESTERN VIEW THAT MUSLIM MEN MISTREAT AND ABUSE WOMEN.

>> THE AMOUNT OF RESPECT THAT A MUSLIM WOMAN WILL RECEIVE FROM ANOTHER MUSLIM MAN, I MEAN I WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD BE WITHOUT THAT.

BECAUSE I FEEL DIGNIFIED, AND I TRY TO CARRY MYSELF IN A WAY THAT I AM RESPECTED, AND ISLAM GIVES ME THAT AND IT GIVES ME THAT CONFIDENCE AND THAT ASSURANCE TO KNOW THAT, YEAH, I AM IN SCHOOL SO THAT I CAN BE AN INTELLIGENT MUSLIM WOMAN AND PRESENT THE RELIGION AS IT IS AND NOT AS WHAT PEOPLE MAY PERCEIVE IT TO BE WITHOUT ACTUALLY KNOWING.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, THE COLLEGE GRADUATED NINE STUDENTS.

THIS YEAR THEY'RE PLANNING ON 12.

AISHA KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO WHEN SHE GRADUATES IN 2017.

>> I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE.

AND THE WAY THAT I THINK I'M CAPABLE OF DOING THAT IS GOING INTO CHAPLAINCY.

SO IDEALLY, A MUSLIM CHAPLAIN IN A HOSPITAL.

>> IF YOU HAVE FLOWERS, THEY WILL ADORN ANY SETTING, EVERY GARDEN, EVERY ROOM, EVERY TABLE.

AND SO WE ARE ALL ABOUT GROWING FLOWERS.

>> Reporter: FOR "RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M LUCKY SEVERSON IN BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

>>> FOR MANY PEOPLE, IT WOULDN'T FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS TIME WITHOUT ALL THE SPECIAL SEASONAL MUSIC.

MANAGING EDITOR KIM LAWTON LOOKS AT THE CENTRAL ROLE MUSIC PLAYS IN CONVEYING THE MESSAGES OF CHRISTMAS.

♪♪ >> Reporter: FROM THE RADIO AND THE MALLS TO CHURCHES AND CONCERT HALLS, THE SACRED AND THE WHIMSICAL.

♪♪ >> Reporter: CHRISTMAS MUSIC SEEMS TO BE EVERYWHERE RIGHT NOW.

>> HAS THERE EVER BEEN ANY OCCASION AROUND WHICH MORE SONGS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN?

I DON'T THINK SO, AND YOU KNOW ALL OF THAT DRAWS US IN, EVERY ONE OF THOSE SONGS, EVERY ONE OF THOSE NUANCES, THEY JUST DRAW US IN.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY?

"WELCOME, QUK WELCOME."

>> Reporter: FOR CHRISTIANS, THE RELIGIOUS MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS IS CENTRAL TO THIS SEASON IN THEIR FAITH.

>> I THINK THE SONGS EMBODY THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.

>> Reporter: EILEEN GUENTHER IS PROFESSOR OF CHURCH HISTORY AT WESLEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SHE SAYS CHRISTMAS HYMNS FOCUSING ON BIBLICAL PROPHECIES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS HAVE BEEN PART OF THE CHURCH TRADITION FOR CENTURIES.

>> THE FIRST CAROLS WERE IN LATIN.

THAT WAS THE LANGUAGE OF THE CHURCH AT THE TIME CAROLS ORIGINATED IN THE MEDIEVAL ERA, AND THE PROCESSIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN SUNG IN LATIN.

>> Reporter: TODAY, THERE CAN BE TENSION IN SOME CHURCHES ABOUT WHEN TO START SINGING CHRISTMAS MUSIC.

THOSE THAT STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE TRADITIONAL CHURCH CALENDAR WOULD NOT SING CAROLS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS DURING THE FOUR WEEKS OF ADVENT.

THEY START SINGING THOSE CAROLS ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND FOR THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS THAT FOLLOW.

BUT SOME CONGREGATION MEMBERS WANT TO START EARLIER.

>> THEY WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO HEAR SACRED SONGS, AND THEY WANT THEM TO HEAR THEM IN A WORSHIP SERVICE, NOT JUST SOMETHING ON THE RADIO OR AT HOME.

AND IF YOU WAIT UNTIL CHRISTMAS AND THEN MAYBE THE FAMILY IS TRAVELING, THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE CHANCE TO HEAR CHRISTMAS SONGS IN A SERVICE.

♪♪ >> Reporter: FOR DECADES, SINGER/SONGWRITER AMY GRANT HAS RECORDED CAROLS AND CHRISTMAS MUSIC THAT SHE HAS WRITTEN.

FIVE OF HER SONGS MADE THIS YEAR'S BILLBOARD LIST OF TOP HOLIDAY SONGS.

GRANT AND HER HUSBAND, COUNTRY STAR VINCE GILL, DO SOLD-OUT CHRISTMAS SHOWS AT NASHVILLE'S RYMAN AUDITORIUM WHERE THEY COMBINE RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR MUSIC.

GRANT DOES CHRISTMAS TOURS WITH OTHER ARTISTS AS WELL.

SHE SAYS MUSIC IS THE FASTEST WAY FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT EMOTIONALLY TO THE HOLIDAY.

>> IT CALLS TO SOMETHING DEEP INSIDE OF US, OUR COLLECTIVE MEMORY AND OUR LONGING AND HOPE.

AND I DO THINK MUSIC IS WHAT DRAWS PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: PROFESSOR GUENTHER SAYS FOR CHRISTIANS, CHRISTMAS MUSIC PLAYS SEVERAL IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL ROLES.

FIRST, IT HELPS TO TRANSMIT THE BIBLICAL STORY.

♪♪ FOR EXAMPLE, THE CAROL "O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL."

>> IT'S A PLAYLIST OF ALL THE CHARACTERS WHO WERE THERE.

THEY'RE WELCOMING PEOPLE TO BETHLEHEM.

YOU'VE GOT THE SHEPHERDS.

YOU'VE GOT THE ANGELS, AND YOU'VE GOT EVERYBODY SINGING IN JOYFUL PRAISE, "O COME LET US ADORE HIM."

♪♪ >> Reporter: BASED ON HER OWN CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, GRANT AGREES THAT MUSIC CAN BE AMONG THE BEST WAYS TO LEARN THE CHRISTMAS STORY.

>> I CANNOT REMEMBER ONE SERMON.

NOT ONE.

BUT THE SONGS.

YOU KNOW, I HAD MEMORIZED PROBABLY 100 HYMNS, SOME OF THEM CHRISTMAS HYMNS, BY THE TIME I WAS 10 YEARS OLD.

AND TO ME, THAT'S HOW WE LEARN AND REMEMBER.

THAT'S HOW WE GET THE STORY.

♪♪ >> Reporter: GUENTHER SAYS CHRISTMAS MUSIC ALSO HELPS IMPART IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL CONCEPTS, OFTEN WITHOUT PEOPLE EVEN REALIZING IT.

>> CAROLS AND ACTUALLY HYMNS ARE AMAZINGLY SUCCINCT THEOLOGICAL STATEMENTS.

THERE IS MORE THEOLOGY IN A FEW WORDS OF POETRY THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.

YOU CAN HAVE A WHOLE SERMON IN FOUR LINES.

>> Reporter: ONE OF HER FAVORITES IS "O HOLY NIGHT."

♪ IT IS THE NIGHT OF THE REAL SAVIOR'S BIRTH ♪ >> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL MELODY, IT'S SOMEWHAT DRAMATIC, IT HAS KIND OF AN INTERESTING ACCOMPANIMENT, ALL THOSE ARE GOOD.

BUT THEN LOOK AT THE TEXT, PARTICULARLY THE THIRD VERSE.

"TRULY, HE TAUGHT US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

HIS LAW IS LOVE AND HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE.

THEN THIS, CHAINS SHALL HE BREAK, FOR THE SLAVE IS OUR BROTHER AND IN HIS NAME, ALL OPPRESSION SHALL CEASE."

♪♪ >> I THINK THAT IS OUR HOPE, A HOPE OF JUSTICE, A HOPE OF THIS SEASON.

WE TALK ABOUT PEACE, GOODWILL UNTO ALL PEOPLE, AND THIS SAYS THAT SO SUCCINCTLY AND SO BEAUTIFULLY.

♪♪ >> Reporter: ANOTHER FAVORITE IS "JOY TO THE WORLD."

>> "JOY TO THE WORLD" IS A REALLY INTERESTING SONG.

PEOPLE THINK OF IT AS A CHRISTMAS SONG OR A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

IT ACTUALLY -- I HOPE I DON'T HURT ANYBODY -- BUT IT'S NOT.

IT'S A PARAPHRASE OF PSALM 98 BY ISAAC WATTS.

AS WE SING IT, IT'S BASICALLY A SONG OF JOY.

>> Reporter: BUT NEW CHRISTMAS CAROLS ARE ALSO BEING WRITTEN.

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING GOSPEL ARTIST CHRIS TOMLIN HAS A NEW CHRISTMAS ALBUM, "ADORE: CHRISTMAS SONGS OF WORSHIP," WHICH DEBUTED AT NUMBER ONE ON BILLBOARD'S HOLIDAY ALBUMS CHART.

♪♪ IN 1992, GRANT RELEASED HER TRIPLE PLATINUM ALBUM "HOME FOR CHRISTMAS," WHICH INCLUDED THE SONG "BREATH OF HEAVEN/MARY'S SONG."

IT EXPLORED THE FEELINGS OF MARY AS SHE WAS PREGNANT WITH JESUS.

>> I REALIZED HOW UNIVERSAL IT WAS, THAT WE ALL HAVE THAT FEELING OF "NOBODY REALLY KNOWS WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH," BUT SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF MARY'S STORY, I MEAN IT WAS THE FIRST TIME HUMANITY ACTUALLY TOUCHED THE DIVINE, LIKE IN FLESH AND BLOOD.

>> Reporter: TO GRANT'S SURPRISE, THE SONG HAS BECOME A CLASSIC IN ITS OWN RIGHT, OFTEN SUNG AT CHURCH CHRISTMAS PAGEANTS.

>> THE SONGS THAT I'VE WRITTEN COME FROM SUCH SPECIFIC EXPERIENCES IN MY LIFE, AND TO ME THE AMAZING THING IS TOTAL STRANGERS SINGING THEM AT CHRISTMAS PAGEANTS, AND I'M GOING, "WOW, MUSIC IS BIGGER THAN -- CERTAINLY BIGGER THAN THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE IT."

♪♪ >> Reporter: GUENTHER SAYS SHE njx IS AWED AT THE TIMELESSNESS OF CAROLS THAT WERE WRITTEN SOMETIMES CENTURIES AGO AND STILL FEEL RELEVANT.

>> THE HOPES AND FEARS OF ALL THE YEARS, THE PHRASE FROM "O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM."

I THINK ANYONE WHO IS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NEWS TODAY CAN REALLY RELATE TO THAT.

THE TIMES ARE REAL TRICKY THESE DAYS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF ANXIETY AND A LOT OF UNKNOWN.

THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE SEEMS TO BE FOREVER CHANGING, AND I THINK CAROLS HAVE A REALLY ANCHORING SENSE TO THEM.

♪ SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT ♪ >> Reporter: FOR CHRISTIANS, WHETHER THE CAROLS ARE OLD OR NEW, THEY HELP CONVEY ULTIMATE MESSAGES OF THEIR FAITH.

>> THE MUSIC ALLOWS YOU TO FEEL THE PRESENCE OF HOPE, THE PRESENCE OF CHRISTMAS.

>> Reporter: AND THEY SAY THAT IS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT.

I'M KIM LAWTON REPORTING.

♪ SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE ♪ >>> FINALLY, AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, MANY PEOPLE OF FAITH TRY TO GIVE EXTRA HELP TO THE NEEDY.

CHURCHES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN TAKING PART IN A SPECIAL PROJECT FOR THE CHARITY STOP HUNGER NOW.

CONGREGATION MEMBERS PACK NON-PERISHABLE MEALS THAT WILL BE SENT TO CHILDREN IN POVERTY-STRICKEN AREAS OF THE WORLD.

WE VISITED THE SCHOOL WHERE GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH MEETS IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.

SENIOR PASTOR JOHN SLYE SAID PACKING THE MEALS WAS A CONCRETE EXPRESSION OF THEIR CHRISTIAN FAITH.

>> WE FOCUS ON JUST THREE THINGS AT GRACE -- CHRIST, COMMUNITY AND COMPASSION, AND COMPASSION FOR US IS PRACTICAL SERVICE, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY.

WE GATHERED TOGETHER 1,500 PEOPLE TO FEED 100,000 HUNGRY BODIES.

>> OKAY, THAT GONG MEANS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY PACKAGED 7,000 MEALS.

WE ARE WAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AT THIS POINT.

>> THE MEALS ARE COMPRISED OF FOUR INGREDIENTS -- A LONG GRAIN WHITE RICE, SOY PROTEIN, TEXTURED VEGETABLE SOY PROTEIN.

WE ALSO HAVE A DEHYDRATED VEGGIE MIX -- CELERY, CARROT, ONION, BELL PEPPER, CABBAGE AND POETOMATO.

AND THEN FINALLY, PROBABLY OUR MOST POTENT PART OF OUR MEALS IS A VITAMIN SASHAY PACK, WHICH HAS 21 DIFFERENT MINERALS, NUTRIENTS AND VITAMINS SPECIFICALLY TAILORED FOR MALNOURISHED CHILDREN AND WHEN ALL THESE INGREDIENTS ARE ADDED TOGETHER AND COOKED WITH WATER IT KIND OF TAKES LIKE A CHICKEN RICE-A-RONI.

>> MOST OF THOSE MEALS ARE GOING TO GO TO SCHOOLS OR ORPHANAGES.

WE LOVE THE FACT THAT MANY OF THEM IN THE PAST HAVE GONE TO SCHOOLS BECAUSE PARENTS KNOW THAT THERE'S A GOOD MEAL FOR THEM AT SCHOOL, THEY'LL SEND THE CHILD TO SCHOOL TO GET THE MEAL AND THEN THEY GET THE EDUCATION.

>> OKAY, WE'RE UP TO 74,000.

>> WHAT WE TELL PEOPLE IS THAT TO COME OUT TO THIS EVENT AND INSTEAD OF HEARING A SERMON IN A TRADITIONAL SERVICE, INSTEAD OF HEARING A SERMON THEY COME HERE AND BE THE SERMON.

THIS WORLD IS FILLED WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT YOU ALMOST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START.

AND FOR US, WHEN YOU GATHER A BUNCH OF PEOPLE TOGETHER, THERE'S STRENGTH AND THERE'S ENCOURAGEMENT IN THAT AND SO WHAT WE SAY HERE IS TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE.

SO WE GATHER A LOT OF PEOPLE TOGETHER SO WE CAN MAKE A MUCH BIGGER IMPACT IN A VERY PRACTICAL WAY.

>> WE ARE NOW UP TO 81,000, 81,000 MEALS.

>>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIOGRAPHIES OF JESUS' LIFE -- MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN -- THERE'S ONLY ONE MIRACLE OF JESUS THAT'S REPRESENTED IN ALL FOUR BIOGRAPHIES AND THAT'S JESUS FEEDING HUNGRY PEOPLE, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF HUNGRY PEOPLE.

SO WE THINK THIS EVENT IS SO JESUS.

>> AT THAT EVENT, GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH PACKED 100,000 MEALS IN ONE MORNING.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M HARI SREENIVASAN.

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♪ SILENT NIGHT ♪ AS WE LEAVE YOU, MORE OF KATIE HOTSENPILLER, THE DAUGHTER OF ONE OF OUR PRODUCERS, SINGING "SILENT NIGHT."

♪ CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN ♪ ♪ CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN ♪