Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Subtitled 'A celebration of Christ's birth', this effortlessly does what few Christmas-orientated albums ever manage, stay on the stereo long after the decorations have been stashed and the last turkey sandwich eaten. Michael doesn't so much write songs as craft them, carefully constructing luminous tales of faith and devotion usually taking his lyrics direct from the biblical narrative and finding delicate and sometimes haunting melody lines to tell the old, old story. Mr Card's love of medieval-style orchestrations shines through, and the hammered dulcimer of Alisa Jones Wall fits perfectly, as does the glorious trained voices of the Hollywood Presbyterian Cathedral Choir on "Thou The Promise" and "Immanuel". My favourites are the anthem of the wise men "We Will Find Him" (with a rhythmic hook made for radio play) and the lovely "Joseph's Song" ("How could it be?/This baby in my arms/Sleeping now so peacefully/The Son of God the angel said/How could it be?") but I'm finding new delights with every play. An album to keep the wonder of the incarnation alive long after the sentimental mush of the commercial Christmas has been forgotten.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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