The concept for Bethlehem Skyline began at a Centricity Music retreat, when the staff wanted all of the label’s artists to perform “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” and that idea grew into a complete Christmas project. All of the artists enthusiastically embraced the album concept, including Jason Gray, who also appeared on the first Bethlehem Skyline.
“The album actually had very humble beginnings,” Gray explains. “It was a project that we all got to work on and what is beautiful about it, is that it was a labor of love. I like the idea that it was not specifically born out of a marketing agenda.”
Downhere is the only other returning artist and they are joined by some of the newer acts on Centricity Music. Me In Motion gives its rendition of Brenda Lee’s holiday hit, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” and Sixteen Cities performs a heartfelt version of “O Holy Night.”
Humor also found its way into Bethlehem Skyline Vol. 2, with Lanae’ Hale’s original song, “Starving Artist Christmas,” which became a fan favorite on last year’s Bethlehem Skyline Tour. And there’s some country flavor thrown in with High Valley’s performance of “Away In A Manger” and a poignant original composition from Gray, “Love Has A Name.”
I had the great opportunity to interview Jason about his original Christmas song, “Love Has A Name.”
Regarding “Love Has A Name,” what's the main message of the song?
I was trying to write a Christmas song and I was stressing, as it wasn’t working. I had about two weeks to finish a song in time for the album. I tried co-writing with some friends. I was working on two or three different songs and then two days before recording, this song came to me. I wrote the song in a couple of hours that one night. The song came out of me. What I feel the song is about is that we complain about the commercialization of Christmas, but I wanted to integrate that concept with God’s plans. I was interested in trying to bridge the gap between the secular and the sacred that we experience at Christmas time. Some people despise the secular aspect of Christmas and I totally get that and I feel it too. However, I think hidden in those things there is a longing for the Gospel, and a hope for Christmas.
What Bible verses did you use in writing the song?
Luke 2: 8-14: 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. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
What’s the take-away message for listeners?
The second verse sums up the message of the song. “Carols and sleigh bells all echo His Name, Churches and shopping malls, join in the strains, Of the anthem to mercy of the God who bends low to bless, Even the silence that sounds like the falling of snow Is singing the song that the snow angels know "Glory to God in the highest." The concept I am singing about is the idea that “all things work together for the good of those who love God.” Rather than demonize the secular aspects of Christmas, look for God’s glory among all of the hustle and bustle and commercial parts of the season. Rather than complain about shopping malls, integrate them into your enjoyment of Christmas and see that all the hustle and bustle of the season is ultimately a response to celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Here are the lyrics:
A bright star appeared in the dark night to guide us
To the child born a king, who left Heaven to find us
When you're lost in the dark it still shines to show us the way
The way to the baby born in Bethlehem The child who can make us all children again If we bring him our hearts like a present on Christmas day
Gloria, Gloria
Desire of the nations, true love has a name Jesus is born today
Carols and sleigh bells all echo his name
Churches and shopping malls join in the strains
Of the anthem to mercy of the God who bends low to bless
Even the silence that sounds like the falling of snow
Is singing the song that the snow angels know "Glory to God in the highest"
In ribbons and wrapping we keep our surprises
Dressing our gifts up in brilliant disguises
But the biggest of gifts always come in small sizes
And Jesus is born today
Wise men for ages have looked for him since
And discovered a treasure for beggar and prince
Riches of wonder and a peace to give the weary rest
Here’s Matthew Henry’s commentary on Luke 2:8-14: “God's goodwill in sending the Messiah, brought peace into this lower world. Peace is here put for all that good which flows to us from Christ's taking our nature upon Him. This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men, is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth. The shepherds lost no time, but came with haste to the place. They were satisfied, and made known abroad concerning this child, that he was the Savior, even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed and thought upon all these things, which were so suited to enliven her holy affections. We should be more delivered from errors in judgment and practice, did we more fully ponder these things in our hearts. It is still proclaimed in our ears that to us is born a Savior, Christ the Lord.”
As Christians, Jason and I discussed that the aftershocks of the most important birth in the history of the world, Jesus, has created the commercial celebrations we see all around us. What we need to remember is to “not be conformed to the patterns of this world.” We need to sing “Gloria” and celebrate the birth of our King and Savior. Love has a name: Jesus. Merry Christmas!
Kevin Davis is a long time fan of Christian music, an avid music collector and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. Kevin also writes reviews for ChristianMusicReview.org. He currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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