Emmanuel is much more than “just” another Christmas record to me. I poured every ounce of my energy into it. Each song was chosen and crafted to intentionally portray the message of Christmas. It’s also the first full CD I have released in 4 years! Each song is unique—from upbeat tunes with electric guitars, to piano and cello ballads, to a jazzy version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
It is dedicated to my brother Jason and sister-in-law Kari who have been encouraging me to do an Advent/Christmas album for quite some time. They have faced some difficult challenges this year with their house flooding and then catching fire a few months later, but they have still taken the time to listen to rough mixes and encourage my heart through the writing, arranging, and recording process.
O Come All Ye Faithful (Adore Him) was recorded to be a joyful song of praise. I added a bridge, “Adore him! Glory to God in the highest!” and had my friend’s little girl, Baylee Thien add her vocal talents to the song. She did a great job!
Emmanuel was written when I was in Scotland for music ministry. In the middle of the trip I experienced the loss of another pregnancy. I was thinking about the brokenness of humanity and how we ache for peace. “God with us” is such a comfort in times of sorrow or pain.
It’s Christmas was written a few years ago when I was newly married.
White Christmas was originally intended to be recorded in a jazzy style, but after experimenting with a few different things what transpired was a fun spin on a holiday favorite. Scott Dente added his guitar talents and really made this song come to life. (Did I mention that Scott Dente also played on Emmanuel and Silent Night? I was delighted to have him on this project!)
I have always loved the lyrics to God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. What better way to describe why Christ came? I wrote a bridge and reworked the lyrics on some of the verses to emphasize the message. Billy Smiley, Brennan Smiley, and Ken Lewis did an amazing job on this song!
What Child Is This was moving for me to play and to sing. Such a hauntingly beautiful song. I was honored to have John Catchings and my old friend, Jonathan Kampfe play cello on my arrangement of this Christmas classic. It’s longer than some versions because I used some verses that aren’t always included.
Last year we released a version of O Come O Come Emmanuel with guitars by Bill Hatcher. This year we used those same guitar tracks and simply added a cello. I also re-sang the vocal track. This is also a longer, slightly different arrangement than “normal.”
I wanted Silent Night to sound and feel like a lullaby.
I wanted O Little Town Of Bethlehem to be simple—guitar or piano only. Bill Hatcher did a beautiful job on the guitars. I could listen to that track (with no vocal) for hours! It was actually the hardest song for me to sing on this entire record! I wanted to capture what Bill captured so well with the guitar—and it was not easy.
I recorded Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas for my mother and my sister-in-law Kari. I used some of the original lyrics, “Through the years we all will be together, if the Lord allows. Until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow” instead of the “hang a shining star . . . ” because both of them have been through so much this year and have truly had to “muddle through.” I’m so impressed with their resilience.
I hope you will take a moment to check out the record . . . and perhaps order a bunch of copies for your co-workers, friends, family, etc.! 😉 Some might start playing it in November… some will start December 1. But hopefully all who hear these songs will be filled with joy, hope, and peace as they listen.
www.stephaniestaples.com/christmas
Peace,
Stephanie
