At Christmas, we find ourselves entranced by the miracle and wonder of the Christ child’s birth. It’s when we enter into a state of curiosity and intrigue with childlike innocence. The coming of Jesus, Emmanual, allows us to escape the overwhelming stresses and burdens of this world, even if only for a moment, to bask in the hope and peace of a magical night two-thousand years ago. It’s this marvelous time that draws us to Ellie Holcomb’s Sing: Christmas Songs.
With playful lyrics and majestic moments, Ellie Holcomb’s Sing: Christmas Songs album accompanies her children’s book release, both of which center our hearts around the joy of Christmas. It may seem juvenile to listen to an album that is meant compliment a children’s book, but there’s something to be said about entering into this season with a childlike perspective.
Ellie Holcomb Sounding Joy
When the shepherds were met on the incredible night of Jesus’ birth, a whole heavenly host of angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) Contemplate the sound of the angels’ praise. It was magnificent and glorious. It was a loud rejoicing, not a quiet peaceful hum. It’s that exuberance that Ellie desires to portray in her album. “My book and album were inspired by the song ‘Joy to the World,’ and it’s an invitation to sing about the hope we have because God put skin on and moved into the neighborhood,” shares Ellie Holcomb. Her original song, Sounding Joy, helps us contemplate how deep and wide joy can be.
The Christmas book explores the question of what joy sounds like as the reader travels through sweet Christmastime scenes. Ellie Holcomb elaborates by saying, “joy sounds like the voices of my friends and family in my home while I’m preparing a meal. It sounds like my kids singing happily in their room together or like carols and bells and laughter and water running. It sounds like It’s A Wonderful Life playing in the background and Charlie Brown Christmas and Linus reading the most wonderful of stories that came true in real life… the magic of knowing we are never alone, and of hearing that message ring true over and over again in all the songs we sing at Christmas.”
Ellie Holcomb Emmanuel, God is With Us
Providing listeners with an opportunity to create memories is Ellie Holcomb’s intention for this album. Our personal experiences become a better story than any author can create, because the actions are of a life lived. “I hope these songs will invoke dancing in the kitchen while you bake Christmas cookies and storytelling of the very best kind.” There’s a deeper desire than for her music to be consumed, Holcomb wants to see her album to integrate with life. Including classic favorites as well as vibrant originals, Sing: Christmas Songs is primed for the festivals of this joyous time of year.
Ellie Holcomb Peace on Earth/Silent Night
Although the essence of the album revolves around joy, Ellie is aware that the season is full of pain, suffering, loneliness and hardship for many. Though her album doesn’t enter into the depths of this reality, Sing: Christmas Songs invites you to sing about the hope of the season. Hope is strong, and rests solely in the Lord. He asks us to lay down our burdens, giving them to Him so we can find rest. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” We can find joy in the midst of sorrow and pain, and Sing: Christmas Songs allows us to sing through the burdens, laying them at His feet, in order to find joy on the other side. When describing her book and album, Ellie proclaims, “I hope it will help kids ponder what joy sounds like and the reason we can have joy no matter what we’re facing.”
No matter what we’re facing in life, this season reminds us of the hope and rest we have in Jesus. So, be prepared to lift up your voice and repeat the sounding joy! Ellie Holcomb rejoices, “We have a reason to sing, a reason to hope. Love gets the final word. Glad tidings of great joy!”
Check out last months feature on Benjamin William Hastings.