Stores and radio stations today can’t even make it to Halloween before they start decking the halls. With two months of nonstop holiday songs, you’ve probably heard it all. How else could songs like “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” get any air time?
And with the ever earlier onslaught of the smells and jingle bells of Christmas filling the air, we can sympathize with the rush to pack up the tree and the tinsel (should that have been gotten down in the first place?) and the keen desire for the radio stations to get back to their normal play lists. But as Catholics, we know the Christmas season has only just begun!
And though it seems that we can’t seem to reach a consensus as to when it is exactly that it ends, here at Cecilia we’ve decided to keep our Christmas special going throughout the 12 Days of Christmas. We will be bringing you more of your yuletide favorites, but we also wanted to throw a few new songs into the mix. And even better, each of them is an original song by some of our favorite Catholic artists here at Cecilia. We hope they’ll soon be part of your Christmas play list too.
1. Savior | Sarah Hart
“I wrote ‘Savior’ late one evening last Advent. Just inspired by the candle that was flickering in my office against the backdrop of the night, and I got to thinking about how much Christ and his coming was just that: a beautiful light that flickered in the darkness and still does for us all.” Sweet lamb of God, gently remind us in every terror and danger, who was, and is and is still to come, you will ever be our Savior.
More on Sarah Hart here, and to buy “Savior,” go here.
2. Deliverance | Edwin Fawcett
You don’t want to miss this music video. All designed by Edwin himself, the video — like the song — brings the first reading from Christmas Mass at midnight to life. This gospel track is based on the words of Isaiah: The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light. You have made our gladness greater. You have made our joy increase.
Follow Edwin Fawcett on Facebook and head to iTunes to buy his music.
3. Christmas Lights | Rebecca Roubion
Another artist inspired by the lights that have become synonymous with Christmas. This time it’s Rebecca Roubion inspired by the Christmas lights on top of her piano. Get lost in her velvety voice as she muses on the meaning behind the glow of the Christmas season. Christmas lights signify all the hope that is there. Burnin’ bright like the night of the that old North Star. Shine your light like the white glow of Mary’s heart. I hope that you shine tonight.
You can check out Rebecca Roubion’s website and buy her song here.
4. Come Hold My Son | The Thirsting
What does it mean that Christ came to us as a baby? As Pope Benedict puts it, “God comes without weapons, without force, because he does not want to conquer, so to speak, from the outside, but rather wants to be freely received by the human being. God makes himself a defenseless Child to overcome pride, violence and the human desire to possess.” Daniel Oberreuter of The Thirsting draws us to meditate on this mystery of the Christ child, repeating Mary’s invitation: Come, hold my Son.
Head to The Thirsting’s website and buy their song here.
5. The Kingdom Comes | Josh Blakesley Band
Now more than ever the cry for peace rings out. On December 25 we celebrate the peace and joy of God himself come to earth. And since his coming, we live in an “already, but not yet.” The kingdom has already come, but it has yet to be fully realized on earth. Josh Blakesley says that “as we journey through the advent season, my prayer is that this song will be an avenue for us to be drawn into the kingdom of God as it comes alive for us on earth.” We wait in joyful hope, prepare the way for love, for the kingdom comes.
More on the Josh Blakesley Band here, and you can buy his single here.
Bonus Track: Manuel | Dy-Verse
Why a bonus track? Well, “Six Christmas Songs You Probably Missed This Year” just sounded incomplete (how Catholic of us). It’s also a bonus track because it doesn’t exactly fit the mold of the typical Christmas song. This song by Catholic hip-hop artist Dy-Verse tells the story of a young, scared, unmarried girl contemplating abortion. She finds herself in a church where she’s reminded of a young girl in a similar situation 2000 years ago. Love alive, she’s breathing anew. A brand new hope and a story to tell. She chose life and named him Emmanuel.
Check out Dy-Verse on Facebook.
And today we celebrate...