'Purpose of Christmas' album accompanies Rick Warren's latest book

|PIC1|Pastor Rick Warren's Purpose Driven ministry is to release a new musical companion to Pastor his newest book with the same title released this month by Howard Publishers.

All net proceeds of "The Purpose of Christmas" album will benefit The PEACE Plan, a global initiative created by Warren, pastor of Saddleback Valley Community Church in Southern California and author of "The Purpose Driven Life".

The 16-track CD intertwines inspirational Christmas songs, sung by such well-known artists as Sarah McLachlan, Martina McBride, ThirdDay and Vince Gill, with inspiring narrative from Warren explaining the three purposes of Christmas - celebration, salvation and reconciliation - as detailed in his book, "The Purpose of Christmas".

"The theme of this CD is one that will move and inspire the entire nation," said musician David Pack, visionary and producer of the CD project. "The true purpose and meaning of Christmas is one we should all be reminded of as we approach the busy holiday season. I am honored to have had the opportunity to partner with such great artists, singers and songwriters to help convey this powerful message through music."

The concept of "The Purpose of Christmas" CD was developed around Warren's 2006 Christmas message, which was given at Saddleback Church and broadcast across the US via the FOX News Network. In it, Warren described how Christmas is a time to celebrate that God loves you, God is with you and God is for you; a time to understand and admit that Jesus came to save you from something, for something and by something; and a time to reconcile with those around you and with God by recognising that Jesus offers you peace with God, peace of God and peace with others.

"God's message of the purpose of Christmas is clearly written in His Word," said Warren. "I believe that when people experience the Good News on this CD compilation, they will begin to understand what Christmas means to them personally, deepening their regard and respect for this season."

All net proceeds of the CD will go to benefit Saddleback Church's PEACE Plan, an effort to mobilise millions of Christians to fight the five global giants of spiritual emptiness, self-centered leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic disease and illiteracy/education through Promoting reconciliation, Equipping servant leaders, Assisting the poor, Caring for the sick and Educating the next generation.