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Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it. -erwin lutzer
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
One Has Come
To see this in a larger format, go to YouTube by double clicking the video.
To see last year, go here.
To see 2007, go here.
*If you are so inclined, we would love to know where you are reading from. We're showing the kids on the world map and would enjoy knowing and looking for your location.
Merry Christmas
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124 comments:
I've been checking FREQUENTLY over the past few days for this to finally appear, and I was NOT disappointed!! Oh my. You really have outdone yourselves. I honestly don't think you can top this. Wow: Hope's singing, Troy's songwriting, real animals (donkeys, goats, etc.), a truly-weary-looking mom after giving birth, kind Joseph, smiley shepherd, and chocolate-fueled wise little women! I even heard the roosters at one point (wouldn't be complete without them). And OUTTAKES. My goodness! TEN THUMBS UP! Thank you to the entire Livesay Tribe!! And a very blessed Christmas to you!
Love, Angie
I agree, I LOVED it!! I have been waiting for the arrival of the new video. You are becoming part of our families advent tradition.
The music was amazing, great job! You even got the roosters in at the end.
Thanks for sharing this with us. God Bless You.
Oh my, that is amazing, wonderful, moving. Hope has a beautiful vocie. The kids are great. I love it.
And this year it even came with a making of. Too cute.
Frohe Weihnachten!
Wonderful!!! Hope has a beautiful voice, lovely song, but I have to say, it was the 3 wise men that cracked me up! And I definitely would have bribed them too;)..I think you needed more chocolate though!
Have a wonderful, as peaceful as possible xmas!
Love from Germany,
Alexandra with Ralf, Léane and Davidson
wow...beautiful.
What fun! You have a beautiful family.
Merry Christmas!
This is so sweet! They all did great!
One little tear came down my face at I heard Hope singing and watched the story unfolding, an old story that's new every time its told. Then I saw Joseph pull his beard down to kiss Mary, and the giggles started. It would have been a different story if the Wise Men had brought chocolate chips, marshmallows, and animal crackers instead of gold, frankincense, and myrrh!
Thank you one and all! Merry Christmas.
--Bonnie
They all did so great! I like your little behind the scenes part at the end... do we need to pack bribery material next time we come down now? ;) Thanks for all the hard work that went into this!!! Love you! ♥
Absolutey Awesome. There aren't even words. Tears down my cheeks as I listened to the words of the song ... and to hear HOPE singing them at 7 years old ?!?!? OH MY WORD. You have beautiful children ... It made me want to come right back down to Haiti ... today ... and hug you and all of them. The wisemen at the end, outtakes ... hilarious. You guys rock. Plain and simple. Christmas wouldn't be the same without the Livesay plays. Cant wait till Lexi gets up so that I can show her. Thank you ... for all you do for the people of Haiti and everyone around you. God bless YOU this Christmas season and upcoming year. HUGS
BRAVO! Just beautiful. Waverly and I were watching it and after a moment I said, "Oh my gosh! That's Hope singing!" I recognized her beautiful voice. Great song, Troy. The photography was amazing as usual.
Thank you for working so hard on this.
Erin
I loved HEARING Lydia speaking Kreyol at the end.
The whole thing was fun this year, but listening to Hope get into her singing was my favorite thing ... we recorded it in our closet after babies were in bed and before the roosters started :) She really loved putting on headphones and recording.
:)
T.
Thank you for this labor of love.. I look forward to it all year.. I think it's my favorite thing about Christmas! I couldn't make my kids breakfast this morning until it was done. My favorite parts were Hope singing, and when she stood up and her robes were blowing in the wind.. I thought I was going to start crying.. beautiful!
Beautiful family. Beautiful depiction of an even more beautiful story. I went back and watched the previous 2 years and this one, by far, is your greatest production yet. Fantastic! Hope's singing is angelic and the song writer did a fantastic job too!
Peace and blessings to you and your family during this holiday season.
I love that you have created such a special family tradition on the mission field! Not to mention that this is truly a quality production - Hope has a beautiful voice and the photography as always is stunning. Your kids are great! God bless you with wonderful memories together this Christmas.
What a beautiful depiction of our Lord and Savior's birth. Thank you for all the love that you packed into every single precious moment. It truly brought me to a place of worship. A very blessed and Merry Christmas to the Livesay Tribe.
With love,
Jill Bernard
What a beautiful way to start my morning. I loved it!
Wonderful!!!! Truly stunning this year... Hope has such a sweet little voice; I got all misty eyed. Tell all your performers that they did a GREAT job! Have a blessed Christmas!
WOW!!! I loved it! Cried, laughed and was truly touched. You have a star in the making with Hope - her voice is unbelievable!!
God bless your family this Christmas!
Sheila Martin IN
Loved it, loved it, loved it. Great song, Troy. Hope, you were amazing, sweetie. Bravo everyone! Out takes were great. Thanks!
Amy(TN)
move over coen brothers. you guys knocked it out of the ballpark. made me remember what this season is really about. thanks.
so sweet and precious!!!
love you all!
That was one of the sweetest things that I have seen. What an amazing thing for your kids to have as a gift for themselves and all of us. Thank you for doing this and sharing it with all of us.
Stunning..Hope..my goodness, that voice absolutly beautiful. Thank you.
Oh WOW!!! Totally incredible in every way! But I've got to admit my favorite part was the girlies fighting over the chocolate chips! ;)
Merry Christmas Livesays!!!
Thank you for this. I love that you point us back to the true reason for the season. Merry Christmas and thanks again.
this is the best christmas present!!! i would wager even the "real" wisemen had a few meltdowns on their journey!! thanks
keri
love love love hearing Hope sing. amazing video!!
simply precious!
Is Troy going to figure out a way to put he and Hope's song on itunes?- because this is my new favorite song this Christmas (move over Oh Holy Night :)
Can't wait to show my kids when they get home from school.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
Seriously. This is the cutest thing ever. The singing just put it over the top. My kids want to watch it over and over.
I have been watching and waiting along with many others for the new release, best thing I have seen this season. I agree, I am not sure what you can do to top this for next year, but the kids just get cuter and cuter! I can hardly wait for March to come and I can be there to see all of you! Merry Christmas! Would you consider printing the lyrics, some of my little friends want to sing along.
Thanks!
RE: The Song ...
Troy plays only guitar, but wants to add one or two more instruments - but we did not have time to find a djembe and a piano player to come record their parts -- the ones we know are in Minnesota getting ready to have a baby. If Troy gets a little time with our friend Corrigan to help him out with the djembe we will try to get a copy of an audio file for you Tanya.
The Lyrics:
This will be a sign to you, a baby will be born
Emmanuel has come to dwell with the weary and forlorn
We have fallen far from where we were meant to be
but one has come to right the wrongs, and set the captives free
Glory to God in the highest, Glory to God in the highest
He has redeemed us, He is our Savior - He came as a baby, born in a manger
Glory to God – Glory to God
And on earth, there will be peace, good will toward men
Unto you is born this day the son of God most high
He’ll become a King that will wipe the tears from every eye
Do not be afraid of this good news He came to share
The glory of the Lord has come – the way has been prepared
Glory to God in the highest, Glory to God in the highest .... and on earth, there will be peace, good will toward men.
We are going to have to take it a different direction next year -- unless we can make angels fly we cannot improve this much without the help of Hollywood. :)
The kids are amazed that people are watching this --- Isaac keeps saying "Like WHO? WHO is watching it Mom?" :) Thanks for saying hi, it is fun to see names that I have not seen before in the comments.
T.
I think I have commented once here in your blog maybe a year ago or so, but you can tell Isaac that for example a Finnish university student who loves different cultures and countries loved to watch your newest Christmas video! Great job and beautiful photographs :)
I send your family warm thoughts for your Christmas celebrations from the arctic circle from -13 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures!
-M.
We LOVED it. Thank you all...Troy and Hope, what a beautiful song!!! My one year old sits completely captivated every time, which for her, is no small miracle. ;-) Merry Christmas!
Absolutely amazing! This is the highlight of our year, and this year's is stellar! You all have a gift with singing, writing, and production. Thank you, love you, and merry Christmas!!
Me again. R and J have watched it now too. R loved it. J watched it over and over. He remembers Hope from when she came after school to play with K. He said "She sing good." His favorite part though was Lydie saying "yucky poop" and the babies fighting at the end. Go figure.
Amy(TN)
Just precious..... and priceless!
Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this family video!
Laughing... and crying at the same time. SO beautiful, and so funny. I knew that was Hope singing right off the bat. (You could distribute the sound track separately.) ***Applause***
How cute! You can tell the kids that Mrs. Ackerman's daughter in Indiana watched this for the 3rd year and loved it! Thanks for creating this tradition!
T and T,
Awesome video. Sharon loved the eye-poke of baby Jesus by Noah.
Troy - the growth of your musical talent is freaking me out. Nice work.
J
Tand T ,
That was beautiful! I can't wait to show the kids tommorrow morning....
Have a Blessed Christmas!
God Bless,
Rose Anne and Saul Pierre
Hey Tara,
Tell Issac it was Carol that he met in Minneapolis who won the trip to Haiti,the kids at church loved the video today. For some reason I always show up as anonymous, who knows.
ps, thanks for the lyrics!
Hey Tara and Troy,
Absolutely amazing. When I think of what you produced with the kids, some props, and a few farm animals all the while working as full time missionaries in Haiti. Well lets just say you put all of us back here in MN to shame.
Tell Isaac that I am sending this to everyone I know.
God Bless and Merry Christmas,
Jason and Reneé Wood
Fabulous!
Wow-just wow. Amazing on all fronts....God bless you all this Christmas....
From a long time reader/prayer for all you do there...
Candy in Walla Walla
i was sitting here, with a big smile thinking of so many lovely things to say to you and your family. And then!! the chocolate screaming began. and that made me smile so big, I can't stop. I have so much love for you all. I am so glad God pointed me to your blog how long ago was it now?? No matter, bless you. Merry Christmas. and really, a very happy new year filled with what else? Purpose and joy. love you!
Wow, wow, wow... That was such an awesome video. Such a great idea. While the song was playing I kept wondering who sings it and when the credits rolled and I saw Troy wrote it and Hope sung it I was floored, absolutely beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. Such a precious voice Hope has. Thank you for sharing!
Tara (from New Mexico)
Outtakes Note:
Walking around the tree in the back yard, Noah says "This is embarrassing walking in circles."
They wise-ladies say "Peanut Poop" and "yucky poop" as they walk to sit down.
After they sit on the step...
Annie says "Good taste" (about the chocolate - reversing word order the way Kreyol would order the words -- she meant tastes good!)
Lydie says "Annie, you want this?" (in Kreyol)
Annie goes for it and Lydie says what sounds like Meh Meh (men men - which means hand hand) -- she wanted Annie to take the chocolate from her hand and NOT the bag.
That was so precious!! You have to have the most joyful shepherd in history. ;-)
Blessings from Kansas City, MO.
Monica
I am reading in Little Rock, Arkansas tell Isaac to find me!
houston, texas. loved it so much. hope's voice was amazing. i thought it was a professional until i saw her sing. they all did so great and i got a huge laugh with the chocolate at the end.
Thanks for the tears and the laughter. By the way, I'm reading in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Sue T
I started following your blog a few months ago....and your Christmas video is a new favorite! I can relate to much of your writings and your choices to serve. We choose to live in Selma, Alabama -- a place that is closer to "home" than Haiti, but also a dark place that needs God's light and His love. You all inspire us to continue walking forward in faith.
Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I burst out laughing when I saw Isaac appear with the beard and his beautiful smile. Also, when Noah was refusing to kiss Paige.
What a beautiful song. I couldn't believe that was Hope at first. Gorgeous!
Can you believe that Mary was about Paige's age when she gave birth to our savior? Wow.
Blessings!
Hannah
Loved it here in Newberg, Oregon. Thanks!
Hampton Family
Beautiful!!! I am encouraging my entire church to watch. Thank you for blessing the holiday season.
I have now had FOUR friends put this on their facebook wall in addition to mine ... I'm not kidding when I say that it is gonna be on the big screen! Love you guys ... more each day!
that was incredible :)
we live in San Diego CA
I loved the reflective look Paige wore most of the video. When I first saw her on the donkey, I thought, "A woman who's about to give birth is a LOT bigger than that"--and then I realized that Paige totally knows that, from her work at the prenatal clinic. I wonder what else she was thinking about...
Lisa (near Chicago, IL)
I just LOVE your videos!!! :-)
We are in Salisbury, MD (near Ocean City)
wow, thanks!
J.
Neart Ottawa, ON, Canada
Troy, that song is amazing, and Hope's voice is truly beautiful. She has a gift! Paige was such a trooper - I mean little brother playing the husband role is tough(: I'm so glad I took a minute to catch up on your blog. You guys are always such a blessing. Have a very merry Christmas!!!
This Christmas video is so awesome. I think what I love most about it is how it brings your family together towards a common goal. Hope is a fabulous singer and everyone did great. I am posting on my FB right now--god bless you all!
Tracy from Columbus, Ohio
LOVED it. It couldn't have been any more precious and worshipful. Thanks for sharing.
Laurie (NC)
Thanks for showing what a wonderful thing a family can do together! We love it here in Washington state!
Wow, that was an awesome job! Hope did a fabulous job singing! And I also was quite impressed when I saw that Troy had written the song - it gave me goosebumps the first time I watched the video.
I've watched all 3 years and I have to say..... I'm already looking forward to seeing what you do next year!!
Enjoy this Christmas season with your whole tribe!
Jwaye Nwel e Bon Ane (Mery Christmas & Happy New Year)
Theresa
from Delta, BC Canada (just outside Vancouver, BC and just above the US/Canada border)
(oh, and I got to watch this year's video with my hubby as he finally got his visa in Sept!)
Hi Troy and Tara,
I'm reading from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (where I serve as a missionary) and am always grateful for your insight and wisdom.
That was absolutely beautiful!!!! My 13 year old says that Hope has a beautiful voice, and I wholeheartedly agree!
Love from Pennsylvania!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you for sharing your lives with us! You are such an inspiration and have broadened (is that a word?!) my kids perspective of the world!
We are in Dublin Ohio (suburb of Columbus)
Merry Christmas! The Watson's
We are reading in Utah. Merry Christmas, thank you for this adorable and touching video.
Mark and Susan R.
My kids and I loved watching this today. Hope sang beautifully and thanks for posting the lyrics to the song Troy wrote. Wonderful!
Pella Iowa
sooo sweet, and such a lovely song, i love Hope's voice and how it's just her and a guitar.
happy christmas
juana in the island of Mallorca, Spain
Hi Isaac-
I read your family's blog from Spokane, WA and wanted to say Hello so that you could look for Spokane on the map. Look way up in the Northwest part of the USA. You were a very good shepherd by the way.
Karen
This was so great to watch. I am such a sucker for children's Christmas programs anyway. We enjoyed your program from the middle of the US in St. Louis, Missouri.
This was incredible!!! Thank you for blessing us all with it. :) I laughed, I cried, I shared it with all my friends. ♥ Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas in Haiti!
It was wonderful!!! I read your blog faithfully, and I thoroughly enjoyed your video. Everyone was wonderful.
Hope's singing was precious.
I've posted it to my FB (and so did another friend of mine), I hope that was okay. :)
Lisa
in Oklahoma City, OK
Merry Christmas!
Auckland New Zealand reading for three years.
LOVED THE SONG! Hope's voice is amazing! Beautiful presentation! We watched it with my boys for family night. By the end the boys were singing along to the chorus. Would love to purchase an .mp3 when Troy feels it is ready.
We all are reading from Logan, Utah (Northern East corner of the state)
*waves* Hi Isaac!
We just loved the video...The song was awesome...wondering if we could get the guitar tabs for that...Hope is a beautiful singer. Hope you have a Merry Christmas, we truly love to hear of your adventures serving God, you will continue to be in our prayers.
So enjoyed this! Amazing job....and LOVED the outtakes :)
~from Albany, NY
I am reading from western South Carolina where slush is accumulating outside from a "winter storm." I came over from the Chrysalis blog. This was such a sweet video, and little Hope's voice is just beautiful, as are the words.
On a cold, cold night in Boston, MA, as we prepare for a weekend snowstorm, this video has totally warmed my heart... You have a truly amazing bunch of kids!
Peace - and Christmas blessings to all of you...
Cathy
Loved the video and the song. I've been reading the blog for about 3 years now, but I'm not sure if I've ever commented before.
Sara in South Bend, IN
Oh my goodness, that was so great this year!!! What a treasure!
I am reading from Arkansas!
What a beautiful presentation! I enjoyed it alot in Baltimore MD, got the link from another blog. Thank you for sharing,
Vicki B in Baltimore
We're watching and reading from middle America, Omaha, NE. Merry Christmas to your family from ours :)
I can't stop watching the video!
We are sitting here in PA watching the video while snow is falling. My boys loved the video of Hope singing in the mirror and now as an angel! Your family is so amazing to me! I hope we get a chance to come visit you some time! Thank you for sharing your lives with us! You have inspired and encouraged us so much! My boys have been going to Haiti every year working at an orphanage in Jacmel! They love it down there! God Bless you and Merry Christmas! Thank You!
We showed the video last night when we had Christmas dinner with my husband's family. It was the first time my husband saw it. He would love to play it as a Christmas tradition each year.
The whole thing was amazing and keeps us grounded in the real meaning of this season.
Hope's voice is amazing. The song is beautiful.
God bless all of you. Hope to see you in Haiti sometime in 2010.
We LOVED it!! Thank you for posting and sharing with all of us!
Woodbury, MN
Awesome!
great falls, mt
So great you guys! Thanks for doing this, the song is amazing- Hope is quite a singer!
mary shaul
omaha, ne
Reading in your home state of MN.
oh forgot to tell you where i am currently viewing your blog although I think you know, it is Northern California in the Sierra mountains. A Salvation Army camp for 'under priviledged' kids.
Yo...
Awesome video(s), loved every minute of it. I have the pleasure of being in McLean, VA (west of Washington, DC next to Arlington).
Love y'all, see you in Feb.
Pearsons
Thanks so much for all your hard work on this--it was worth the wait! I'm especially proud of "my" Hope's singing! Any chance one could get a copy of the song, or does such a thing exist? Are you publishing and we'll have to wait for copyright?
Love you all!
Jodie
Awesome!! Of course, you know, I am in Rochelle IL.
Love you all!
Karla
We are in Springfield, Ohio. Loved this year's video!
Brianna
Loved the Christmas video this year!! It was awesome....Hope did a magnificent job singing!
Heidi
Powell, Ohio
I have loved every production, but this one is truely amazing! Such a beautifully done, touching video of the greatest story ever told. Thank you for all your efforts to share it with us. Hope you are up to running, but listen to your body and do not do something that will cause permanent damage. A blessed Christmas to all of you and a Happy Hopeful New Year. Reading from Valencia, CA (home of CAl Arts college and Magic Mountain).
I loved it! I used to read from Miami, FL but I just graduated and now I am reading from Phoenix, AZ. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOUR TRIBE!!!!!
Got to watch it again on the 'big' picture! :) It's CHANGED! Lots of 'tweaks'. Tell Isaac we are in Lindstom, MN for him. :) XXOO Grandma Karen
The video is awesome...loved it!
I'm from Iceland, a tiny island in the northern Atlantic Ocean...
-Sigga
Great video. Great performance of the song by Hope.
What a unique and beautiful voice.
Bryan
Awesome video! Love the song- Hope has a beautiful voice! I have been reading your blog for quite a while now...it was fun to see the kids in action and hear their cute little voices. Thank you for blessing all of us with your time and talents.
--Heather in St. Louis, MO
I am reading from Decatur, Alabama. I love your blog and have been reading for a while! Merry Christmas!!
A big warm Feliz Navidad to you all from Bogota, Colombia! Your blog encourages and inspires me.
with love from,
Amy
GREAT JOB!! You can find me on a map in the State of Maine, just about smack dab in the middle near the city of Bangor.
Wow guys, you really hit this one out of the park! Hope's singing - amazing. Troy's songwriting- off the hook! And the wisemen - too cute. Paige, Noah and Isaac were completely wonderful too. I'm so thankful for the privilege of knowing you and thank Cheryl Vanderwell from the bottom of my heart for bringing your family to our attention! We sure would love to meet you one day. Until then, we keep praying God's blessings on you and your work in Haiti.
Much love from Kentwood, Michigan,
Mary Franks
Ben and I got such a kick out of this! The wise"men" totally stole the show.
Thank you for a wonderful show. My boys enjoyed having the Bible story come alive.
Following your blog from Bakersfield, Ca.
I've commented before. A time or two :) Just thought it was cool that you have 112 comments on a blogpost. I wanted to be number 113, just because. Love you guys!
Just found your blog through a friend and have added it to my favorites -- I'll be checking in often! Wow, I really LOVED the Christmas video. Thanks for making it available to a wider audience. I'd also really like to buy the .mp3 of the song if you make that happen. :) May you each be blessed in your family and ministry. Sending Christmas blessings from Surrey, England.
Truly Wonderful.. What a great voice Hope has..!
Watching from Ocala, Florida
Stephanie
What a beautiful blessing to see this! I loved the outakes too! Thank you for sharing your talents and creativity with the world!
Watching in Portland, OR...
Merry Christmas!
Amy
Watching in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Christmas morning :-)
We loved your Christmas play. Thank you for sharing your beautiful family!
We're so thankful that One came.
The Miedema's
Dakar, Senegal - we stalk you from afar...
AMAZING! They all did a beautiful job! I loved it all ... my daughter and family (sweet grandbabies 2yrs and 4mo) live on the other side of the world sharing the news as well. Mnay blessings to all in the New Year.
Dallas, TX
Watching from Pella, Iowa. Stumbled across your blog sometime back as I started to seek out more info. on Haiti. My brother's family settled in Pignon to serve about 6 months ago, and we were just there on a mission trip and to visit them in late November. I enjoy the raw truths and the hilarity I often find here. Thanks for sharing with the world!
Tiffany
I am late to the party but wanted to tell you we LOVED this video. We read in North Carolina.
L.
This is a very late response as our family has been busy with the holidays, however, I still wanted to pipe up - late or not. We are reading from Heidelberg, Germany but are originally from San Antonio, Texas.
Merry Christmas!
Awesome video - I enjoy your Christmas videos. I have just caught up (in the last few months) on reading your blog from start to finish. I was just drawn to learn more about your family & your adventure. I would love to think someday I'd have the faith to pack up and do what you have done.
I realize you are at "home" right now in the USA with you kids, but if you are still looking readers up on the map I am coming to you from all the way up here in CANMORE, AB in the beautfiul Rocky Mountains.
Thank you for being willing to share your lives!
That was Beautiful with a capital B!
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