Behind
Advent Worship Music
 
KEN BURTON has a long history in church music. He is a conductor and arranger for BBC Television Songs Of Praise, the longest running Christian music programme in the world. He has been a Christian believer  all of his life,  and has served in church music for over four and a half decades. He is also an internationally known composer of sacred music, with his music published by major publishers: Faber Music, OUP, RSCM, Peters Edition/Wise, GIA Walton Music. He also directs award winning choirs, and has worked extensively with choirs in many of the biggest film projects. 
He has long been an advocate for keeping the message of the soon return of Jesus at the centre of music. Many of his songs and album productions reflect that. Among the productions is a series called 'Advent Songs. 
However, he found that the 'golden age' of songs about the advent were from another century. The tradition of looking forward to heaven as being the theme of the final verses of hymns was not as strong as it used to be; not entirely missing, of course, but just less prominent.  
Increasingly, many Christians were feeling that heaven - whilst believed to be part of the Christian belief system - was so high on people's agendas, there was a danger of failing to be effective and present in the real world. A lot of new Christians  music was also focusing on worship gatherings and events . 
It was clear in Ken's observation that the message of eternal hope was missing, and if not addressed, there was a danger in its importance being lost, or diminished.  
Of course, there was an option to talk about it on Facebook, but the better option was....do something about it. By setting up a site, and writing new material himself, that was the most powerful way to encourage others to do the same.