On Saturday night we were fortunate enough to have tickets for the Belast event of Keith and Kristyn Getty’s In Christ Alone. As well as the Gettys and their band from America, Stuart Townend was there, along with the New Irish Orchestra and Choir which Keith pioneered about 15 years ago. Alistair Begg was also on the bill, his brief to bring a brief message to pull the theme of the concert together. It was the first concert the Gettys had done in Belfast for about 5 years.
It was a superb event, a mix of concert and praise gathering really. Music ranged from In Christ Alone – now a classic modern hymn – which launched the Getty/Townend collaboration in 2001, and The Power of the Cross, through newer pieces such as Come People of the Risen King and the very new By Faith. There were even a couple of traditional hymns: it was wonderful to hear 3000 voices fill the Waterfront Hall with When I Survey. The evening ended with Power in the Blood, though not the way most of us learned it!
As evening went along I was struck with what a great job these people have done in writing modern hymns that are so biblical and so gospel-centred. I had to sum it up, I’d say it’s Christianity set music.
