Marc Martel, one of my favorite vocalists, blessed listeners for over a decade with his work as the lead singer and founding member of Dove Award nominated Canadian band Downhere. The band recorded some of my personal favorite songs including "The More," "A Better Way," "Here I Am," "Let Me Rediscover You" and "You're Not Alone," and also released one of my top Christmas albums How Many Kings: Songs For Christmas, featuring "Silent Night" and "How Many Kings." 

Now we are blessed to once again hear Marc sing some traditional holiday hymns of the faith on his album The Silent Night EP, including new recordings of "Silent Night," "What Child is This?" and "How Many Kings." I had the chance to speak with Marc about his new version of "What Child is This?"

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

"What Child is This" has always been one of my favorite Christmas songs. It always puts me in the right state of mind to think about the true meaning of Christmas, and it gets me thinking about what an incredible sacrifice He made. Amid the busyness of the Christmas season, you can take time to reflect on these words. 

I've always loved the hymn. I love how beautifully the song presents the Gospel. We had recorded the song on the Downhere Christmas album with a different feel to the song. This time around we kept it more traditional musically, and my favorite aspect of this version is that my friend Ron Block, who is a guitar and banjo player, joined me on this song. The song is based on the tune of "Greensleeves." We kept the Celtic feel, and I played the basic chords on the piano and then Ron played awesome finger-picking guitar and a banjo solo. I was super-pleased with how the song turned out, it is upbeat and fun. It was the last song we recorded for the album, and it was the only collaboration with another artist on the album.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV): "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Luke 2:4-9 (NKJV): Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

John 6:42 (NIV): They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can He now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"

What is the takeaway message?

I love how Christmas music is the great equalizer. I love how we live in country where once a year we get to think about God's incarnation as Jesus and the fulfillment of hundreds of years of prophecy, even 2000 years later now. The reason I wrote "How Many Kings" is that it was the last thing humans thought of. If you were going to imagine how God was going to fulfill His prophecies of rescuing His people, you'd think He was going to come riding on a horse out of the clouds. We know that He did the exact opposite. In so doing, God invites you, no matter who you are: rich, poor, we're all the same, and we can all come to this meek little Child. At His birth, He had everyone from wise men to the poorest of the poor shepherds and a host of angels. It seems every slice of humanity was there and invited into His story. 

Now, it seems like an underdog story, and some people may not fully appreciate it. But it's the first underdog story, and that sentiment appeals to our humanness. We love to see someone win seemingly out of nowhere. That attracts us to the Christmas story, and we can all identify with that. We can all be a part of that story. I'm nobody, but I'm made somebody in Christ.

Lyrics:
What Child is this, who laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom Angels greet, with anthems sweet 
While shepherds watch are keeping

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh 
Come peasant king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him

This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe the Son of Mary

Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe the Son of Mary
The Babe the Son of Mary

I have been very challenged about the true meaning of Christmas when I listen to this song. Yes, it is a cause for celebration and generosity, but it is also a time for reflection and prayer as we lift up our King in honor and praise for the glorious gift of His sacrifice, humility and unconditional love for us. We were given the ultimate gift by God giving us His Son Jesus for Christmas. 

Jesus gave of Himself. His gift was free and undeserved. That's the true meaning of Christmas. When you allow that to sink down from your head into your heart, it changes us and how we respond. It affects all aspects of our lives. My prayer for my life and my family is that we all truly understand that Jesus came for each one of us. Our response is to worship Him and share Him with others who don't know Him.

I love this song, and Marc does a phenomenal job capturing the essence of the tone of the song. Do you celebrate the baby Jesus at Christmas because He's a cute and harmless baby and then put Him away the rest of the year? Jesus was born in a dirty manger, and His birth was announced to the lowest of low, the shepherds. Don't miss the significance of Jesus our Lord's birth. Give Him reverence, celebrating His entire story: His birth, His crucifixion and most of all His resurrection! Amen to that! Merry Christmas!

Watch the music video below.