More than a call to worship, their latest project is a call to life. With Every Time I Breathe, Big Daddy Weave surrenders all that they have, and joyfully admit it is not enough. "We finally realized it is not the greatness of our offering, but it is the greatness of the God we are offering to that makes the difference," says singer/guitarist and primary songwriter Mike Weaver. "It is not the greatness of our songs, but it is the greatness of the God behind the songs. When the little boy showed up with two fish and five loaves, it was so not enough; but that is exactly what Jesus used to feed everyone. The reason our offering seems insignificant is because it is. But God is not looking for our significance. He is looking for our availability."
Heartfelt words from one of the most popular bands in Christian music. Indeed, One and Only, the group's 2002 debut release quickly cracked SoundScan's Christian Top 5 and Big Daddy Weave was rewarded with a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year. Fields of Grace, Weave's follow-up, was a stunning display of pure power pop from a band chomping at the bit to get their new songs down on tape. On their third outing, What I Was Made For, the group battled the elements as Hurricane Ivan ravaged their homes. But even in the midst of the storm Mike Weaver says he experienced a fresh outpouring of God's grace and presence. It wasn't until it came time to write for Big Daddy Weave's fourth album that the inspiration dried up.
"We walk through different seasons," Mike explains. "Summer doesn't look like winter. Winter is radically different, but that doesn't mean it is a bad season. I was in this 'Winter' season of wondering why I couldn't hear God like I used to. Where did God go? So when the label said, 'It's time to cut another record,' I said, 'I've got squat!' But you know what? God never left. He never changed. He never stopped being worthy just because I didn't feel like singing a new worship song. He has been here the whole time, even though encountering Him right now means something different."
"It wouldn't have mattered if Mike had brought fifty songs to the table. That doesn't mean they would have been the right songs," says guitarist Jeremy Redmon, who doubles as the band's producer. "We realize we are only doing this because He allows us to. There is a peace that comes with that, because it takes the ownership out of our hands."
Joe Shirk, who handles sax and keyboards for the band, also feels the change of seasons. "We can't help but be changed by our circumstances," he insists. "Change has infiltrated our musical ideas because we hear God differently today than we did four years ago."
That realization sparked a new excitement in Big Daddy Weave. Worship, they discovered, was not simply what happened on the stage. It wasn't something that was confined to Sunday morning or Wednesday night. It didn't just occur during those 'Shout to the Lord' moments.
"Worship goes beyond the rise in popularity of worship music," explains Jay Weaver, the band's steady-on bassist. "It is about how we treat the guy at the cash register at the gas station. Lately I've felt like the woman at the grocery store whose little boy keeps tugging on her skirt. It's like God is continually trying to get my attention. 'It's not just about the music. It's not just about the music. It's not just about the music!' We're beginning to understand that experiencing worship has next to nothing to do with the music."
Drummer Jeff Jones says that concept hit Big Daddy Weave like a tidal wave in the midst of leading worship. "We saw people trying hard to make that time on Sunday morning magical," he muses. "We suddenly realized that unless you are practicing godly character throughout the week, what happens on Sunday morning is just going through the motions. What happens during those times of corporate worship is just a reflection of what goes on in your life throughout the week."
"Worship is a response," Mike declares. "It is not something that you have to conjure up. Worship always happens when you encounter the greatness and glory of the Living God. Isaiah saw God and said, 'Woe is me!' But after the angel touched the coal to his lips he said, 'Here am I, send me!' How did that happen? I don't know, but it was a response to an encounter with God. Worship should be our response to encountering God all the time. The truth is, we don't always feel like it. But does that mean if you don't feel it you just stop? No. We have a choice. We choose to worship in spite of how we feel."
Mike points to the title track (Every Time I Breathe as a perfect example of where the band is right now. "You don't think about taking your next breath," he says. "You don't have breathing on your 'to do' list. If you don't breathe, you die. It is as simple as that. Breathing is a natural part of life. That is what God is calling us to; a lifestyle of worship—to encounter God every moment, as naturally as taking your next breath."
While the songs on album artist=Big Daddy Weave]Every Time I Breathe enhance Big Daddy Weaves' reputation for producing instantly recognizable melodies and tight harmonies, it was the lyrics that the band was most concerned with.
"Our main focus has always been about communication," Mike says. "We don't want people to hear our songs and say, 'Whoa, that was cool.' We want people to hear our songs and say, 'Whoa, I understand what they mean.' I think people will really like these songs, and I think they will understand what we are trying to say. But the reality is that these songs are just fish and loaves. Without the touch of God they are just not enough."
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O Come O Come Emmanuel
Big Daddy Weave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
The song “O Come O Come Emmanuel” is a hymn that focuses on the ancient prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ. The hymn speaks of the coming of Emmanuel, which means “God with us,” and the lyrics call upon Him to come as a ransom and a savior for captive Israel who is in exile and mourning. The hymn is a plea for salvation, and it celebrates the hope that comes with the promise of the Messiah's eventual arrival.
The first verse of the song acknowledges the loneliness and misery of the captive Israelites, who are waiting for the Son of God to come and free them from their captivity. The second and third verses of the hymn call on Christ to free His people from Satan’s tyranny and to disperse the darkness and shadows of death. The fourth verse appeals to Christ as the key that opens the gates of heaven, and the last verse recognizes His might and power as the giver of the Law on Sinai’s heights.
Overall, this hymn puts into words the prophecy and hope for the coming of Jesus Christ, and the salvation and redemption that He brings to His people.
Line by Line Meaning
O come, O come, Emmanuel
We desperately need you, Emmanuel, please come to us.
And ransom captive Israel
Please release Israel from captivity and free them from oppression.
That mourns in lonely exile here
Israel is suffering in exile, and they are grieving and longing for your arrival.
Until the Son of God appear
Until you come, Emmanuel, as the Son of God, they will continue to be lost and in despair.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
We are filled with joy and hope because of your imminent arrival, Emmanuel.
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
You will come to Israel, and they will be saved by your divine power.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Please come, Jesus, and save your people descendant from Jesse, who are under the oppression of Satan.
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
Set free those who belong to you and are suffering because of Satan's domination over them.
From depths of Hell Thy people save
Please rescue your people from the depths of Hell and save them from eternal damnation.
And give them victory o'er the grave
Grant your people eternal life and victory over death and the grave.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Please come, Jesus, and bring light and life to us and bring us joy and happiness.
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Your arrival will bring hope and peace to our spirits, Emmanuel.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
Please dispel the darkness and despair that surrounds us, and bring light into our lives.
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Eliminate the fear of death and its shadow that we carry in our hearts.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
Please come, Jesus, as the Key of David and unlock the gates to heaven for us.
And open wide our heavenly home;
Open the doors of our eternal home and welcome us with open arms.
Make safe the way that leads on high,
Make the path to heaven safe and secure for us to follow, so that we can reach our ultimate destination.
And close the path to misery.
Shut down the way to misery and despair, so that we never have to walk that path again.
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Please come, Jesus, as the Lord of might, with power and glory.
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
You once gave your law and covenant to your people, the tribes of Israel, on Mount Sinai.
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
You revealed your Laws to Moses available on Mount Sinai in ancient times.
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
It was a majestic and awe-inspiring moment, as you descended upon the mountain in a cloud of glory and majesty.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
We are filled with joy and hope because of your imminent arrival, Emmanuel.
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
You will come to Israel, and they will be saved by your divine power.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Thomas Helmore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind