Handheld Messiah

Handheld Messiah is the sixteenth studio album and twenty-second album overall by Christian parody band ApologetiX. It was released in November 2013. The album, their first to compose strictly of parodies recounting the birth of Christ includes ten new songs, as well as a re-recording of "Virgin" from 1994's Radical History Tour. This is also their first album to feature new keyboardist Chris VonBartheld, who replaced Todd Waites.
Most people have heard (or heard of) Handel's Messiah, an oratorio composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741, with biblical lyrics by Charles Jennens. It's one of the most-famous and best-loved musical works in history. But its initial public reception was rather modest.
The Handheld Messiah, Jesus, also got a rather modest reception when He first appeared in public, but would go on to become the most-famous and best-loved miracle worker in history. And so much more. Prophet. Priest. Savior. King of Kings. Lord of Lords.
Of course, Jesus existed long before He was born to the Virgin Mary in the manger:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14)
In the last book of the Bible, it calls Jesus "the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). Even in the first book, God foretold and foreshadowed His coming numerous times, as early as Genesis 3:15. Those signs and prophecies continued throughout the Old Testament.
The Messiah was no afterthought. And He didn't stay a baby, either. We can't hold Him in our hands anymore. But now no one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28). With this CD, we celebrate His birth, His death, His resurrection, and His second coming.

Lineup

J. Jackson - Lead Vocals
Tom Tincha - Guitars
Keith "Stan" Haynie - Bass/Guitar
Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner - Drums/Percussion
Chris VonBartheld - Piano/Background Vocals

Guests

Bill Hubauer (The Neal Morse Band) - Keyboards/Guitars/Backing Vocals
Tom Milnes - Harmonica/Guitars/Backing Vocals
George Fousek - Saxophone
Amie Shannan - Backing Vocals