Vienna, Austria, Dec 21, 2012 / 12:00 pm
An Austria-based singing group of children and teens has made a music video wishing a merry Christmas to the world as part of their mission to tell stories of faith through music.
The group KISI - God's Singing Kids has released the video "We sing merry, merry Christmas." It shows the children and teens singing in cheerful settings and styles inspired by the classic movie "The Sound of Music."
They play in the snow, bake Christmas treats and place a baby doll in a manger while wishing Merry Christmas "to every child on earth."
The music group has over 400 members from five countries who use their music to evangelize. They practice singing and dancing after school and perform on weekends.
Hannes and Birgit Minichmayr founded the group in 1993. Its members include their three children.
"For us the children are the most important. We look for their talents and train them individually," Hannes said. He said the music group provides the children with community, faith, joy and emotional growth.
"Our performance also inspires parents, who might have lost touch with their Christian faith. Kids enjoy biblical stories in an entertaining way – and their parents are often deeply moved," he said.
The group has performed a 90-minute musical on the story of St. Paul, a Christmas musical and a concert on the beauty of faith.
"KISI is our way of evangelizing and renewing parishes. This is what our hearts burn for," Hannes said.
The group sings during church services and hosts children's clubs in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Their music is available on iTunes.
KISI's Christmas video was directed by Manuel de Teffé in cooperation with Music Visions, a Catholic non-profit that promotes music artists with messages of faith, hope and joy.
The "We sing merry, merry Christmas" video can be seen on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm3W8BUnWbs.