Composing an original song about the true meaning of Christmas is no easy feat. After all, how does anyone compete even remotely with the poetry of standards such as "Silent Night," "The First Noel," or "It Came Upon The Midnight Clear?" Two artists, however, pulled it off.
Peter Mayer's "Love Is Born Anew," which received airplay on KDHX's former singer-songwriter show, "Blue Highways," sports a flute-based introduction reminiscent of R. Carlos Nakai and William Eaton. The contemplative, wandering-through-the-woods intro gives way to Mayer's guitar and vocals, conveying the rejoicing that followed Christ's birth. It's difficult not to sing along involuntarily with "Won't you sing the song of love made new, born on this Christmas day...?"
Erin Bode's "The Star's Song" accomplishes a similar feat. This Adam Maness-Erin Bode composition chronicles God's selection of the star that would guide the three wise men to the stable of Christ's birth. Its captivating, declarative chorus, "Follow me down the road that leads to Bethlehem," stays with me whenever I hear it.
Just when you think you've heard the story of Christmas already conveyed in every imaginable form...
