Rose of Bethlehem

Sacred was the birth in a stable, and sacred is the mood of many of the songs, including "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "What Child is This," "O Holy Night," "Mystery," and "Rose of Bethlehem." These songs are soft, yet powerful and awe-inspiring.

Lead singer Nicol Smith's arrangement of "What Child Is This" conveys the incredible message hidden in the words of the song. The strength of Nicol's vocals does not hinder her ability to provide a gentle, silky smooth rendition. This is also evident in "O Holy Night," which begins softly and pastorally--as if one were sitting alone on a hillside, watching the stars--but quickly escalates into a powerful worship song. "Mystery" captures the debt of gratitude we feel for-and the incomprehensibility of-God's plan, carried out through a baby, to offer salvation to the world. It's not just a baby in a manger--it's the fact that the baby was sent here for *us*; in the words of the song, sung powerfully by co-writer Todd Smith, it's a "Mystery, how He came / to be a man / But greater still / How His death was in His plan."

"Noel" is a fun, light song that provides the Christmas message in Kituba, the language the brother-and-sister part of the trio, Todd and Nicol Smith, spoke while growing up in South Africa.

"Joy" keeps the listener in touch with the meaning of Christmas while evoking an exhilarating feeling. How blessed we are that our joy has finally come! The music is upbeat, and it provides that time-honored "Christmasy" feeling. This song is classic SELAH.

Tight vocals, perfect pitch, inspiring words, and beautiful piano playing from group member Allan Hall--all these make the album perfect for a music aficionado. The enthusiasm for and understanding of the meaning of the words these three singers express through their singing make it perfect for those looking for "real" music in a world of "over-produced" and "performance-oriented" vocals. Song variety and selection mean it's a great addition to any Christian music fan's collection--or to any Christmas music fan's treasury! If you enjoyed Selah's other albums (BE STILL MY SOUL and PRESS ON), you will want to add this to your collection. If you have yet to encounter the heartfelt, thought-provoking words, arrangements, and anointed vocals of this trio, Rose of Bethlehem offers a wonderful introduction to this group's unique, refreshingly accessible style.