Rend Collective releases 'Joy to the World' music video

Christian band Rend Collective released the music video for "Joy to the World (You are My Joy)" on Wednesday.

The holiday-themed video features the singers in Christmas sweaters and attempting to take a holiday photo.

Parts of the video are presented as a sing-a-long, with lyrics appearing at the bottom of the screen.

The song appears on the group's newly released album, "Campfire Christmas Volume 1," along with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Glory in the Highest)," and other traditional Christmas songs.

"Christmas is a time of nostalgic family traditions so we wanted to bring you in to some of ours," the band said in a statement. "We love the old hymns and carols of candlelight services too much to do Christmas without them... but that's not to say we haven't re-imagined them a bit!"

Rend Collective described their interpretation of "Joy to the World" as an "indie/rock'n'roll/gospel hybrid," and one of their favourite songs on the album. The band also approaches the hymns in a playful manner, but said that the up-tempo songs do not detract from the reason for the season.

"We know Jesus is the absolute focus of this season, but we all need those songs to get us dancing around the tree (ideally wearing a pleasantly distasteful Christmas sweater and a party hat)," they said. "We are all about celebration and we haven't been scared to grab the banjo, dust off jingling-johnny and play some Christmas pop classics!

"So that's what you'll find in this album, a celebration of Jesus' decision to love and come to earth to rescue us. We called this album 'Campfire Christmas' because that's what Christmas is - an invitation into the family of God, to come and feel the glow," they continued. "And though the world may be stinging and cold, we find warmth and hope at Christmas: our shining light of the world, our joy and peace, Jesus the Messiah."

Watch the cheerful music video for "Joy to the World (You are My Joy)" above.

News
Conservatives urge incoming Archbishop to drop £100m slavery reparations
Conservatives urge incoming Archbishop to drop £100m slavery reparations

Should church funds be used for slavery reparations? A group of Conservative MPs and peers think not.

What if the Good Shepherd is closer than you think?
What if the Good Shepherd is closer than you think?

Pastoral care is not a task reserved for a handful of gifted individuals; it is the life of Christ, quietly at work inside ordinary believers.

Anglican Mainstream sees monthly growth despite web hosting suspension
Anglican Mainstream sees monthly growth despite web hosting suspension

Conservative Christian website, Anglican Mainstream, was surprised to see visitor numbers rise after being forced to relocate its website hosting after GoDaddy closed its account.

Missionary turned soldier in Ukraine balances faith with harsh frontline realities
Missionary turned soldier in Ukraine balances faith with harsh frontline realities

A former missionary who is now serving as a soldier in the Ukrainian army has spoken about the realities of faith for a man tasked with killing in defence of his country.