With the holiday season officially underway, Christmas music fills the air everywhere …from radio and retail to headphones and performance halls. ‘Tis the season for perennial favorites about chestnuts, sleigh rides, silver bells, bedecked halls, holly, ivy, silent nights, and countless holiday imagery that make the season bright.

The commercialization of Christmas is a significant factor in our society, and I confess to being a sucker for the seasonal sentiment when, for the most part, our society is kind to one another and sincere gift giving deepens relationships and builds bridges. It’s the original significance of Christmas, though, that impacts me most.

In recent years, many new Christmas songs by brilliant songwriters have found a special place in my holiday observances, inspiring (literally, “breathing new life into”) what can easily become rushed and routine. After scouring our music library last month, I created a special iTunes playlist of 50+ new Christmas songs, and I’d like to share a handful of my favorites with you with hopes that these songs become Christmas standards for years to come.

The spotlight shines first on a contemplative piece from Behold the Lamb of God CD. Released by Andrew Peterson in 2003, the recording covers thousands of years of hopeful prophecy that culminated in the promise of Christ’s birth. Best listened from start to finish instead of shuffle, Behold the Lamb of God tells the greatest story ever told in a complete musical saga format.

Over two-thirds through the project, “Labor of Love” featuring Jill Phillips on vocals beautifully recalls the stark and humble scene where the divine and regal King entered time and space to redeem the world.

Song and video are posted here for your enjoyment, enlightenment, and hopeful encouragement. Here’s to a meaningful holiday season to you all.

LYRICS to "Labor of Love" by Andrew Peterson, arranged by Ben Shive:

It was not a silent night
There was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David's town

And the stable was not clean
And the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
Had no mother's hand to hold

It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love

Noble Joseph at her side
Callused hands and weary eyes
There were no midwives to be found
In the streets of David's town
In the middle of the night

So he held her and he prayed
Shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith
That could make the mountains move

It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
For little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
It was a labor of love

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If you wish to add this beautiful song to your listening library, click the CD cover to jump to Andrew Peterson’s webstore.