Christmas, in essence, is the story of a baby. It is the sound of His first cry—the Word made flesh, now dwelling among us. It is the dawn of salvation, the Hope of all nations. Though the vastness of God’s love remains a holy mystery, the birth of a baby no doubt more intimately acquaints us with the significance of Christ’s incarnation. Now grasping this profound reality firsthand, it is no coincidence that Irish modern hymn writers Keith & Kristyn Getty debut their first Christmas recording this year.
A quintessential collection of timeless carols and original Christmas hymns, the aptly titled Joy – An Irish Christmas arrives on the heels of a life-altering milestone for the couple. “Our daughter Eliza Joy was born in March,” Keith shares. “And we now know when a baby cries, suddenly everything changes.”
“There has been a deepening in our understanding since Eliza Joy was born,” Kristyn echoes. “We have been so struck by the vulnerability and helplessness of a little baby in a way that has grown our wonder in the humble coming of Christ. And our own love for our child has brought a fresh understanding to all the relationships involved in the Gospel narrative: Mary's love for her Son, God's love for His Son, and God's love for the world.”
While Eliza’s arrival has given her parents new perspective on the awe, wonder and joy of the season, telling the Christmas story in song is, actually, a natural extension of Keith & Kristyn’s work as preeminent modern hymn writers.
The couple’s critically acclaimed 2007 stateside debut, In Christ Alone, featured the extraordinary Celtic-flavored title-cut co-penned by Keith and acclaimed British songwriter Stuart Townend; an instant classic that has been recorded by numerous artists and quickly taken root in churches around the globe. Awaken The Dawn, the Gettys’ 2009 follow-up, further endeared their modern hymns to audiences both here and abroad. In recent years, they have shared their music at Franklin Graham crusades, the GMA Dove Awards, and performances at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall, among other noted platforms and international tours.
“So much of what inspires us to write hymns actually finds its origin in carols even more than traditional hymns,” Keith explains. “The carol tradition was one of telling a story, and sometimes history shows that carols were a reaction against the church. For example, when the Puritans weren’t allowed to enjoy music, carols were written as a way for them to celebrate. And in the Catholic Church, because songs were not always sung in a familiar language, carols became a way for people to sing the message of Christmas in their own vernacular.”
Produced by Grammy Award-winner Phil Naish (Steven Curtis Chapman, Point of Grace), with orchestral arrangements by renowned composer J.A.C. Redford (Avatar, The Help), Joy – An Irish Christmas features a line-up of stellar contributors, including the Irish Film Orchestra; Anuna, Ireland’s National Choir; Fionan de Barra and Eileen Ivers (featured instrumentalists in Broadway’s Riverdance); and Skip Cleavinger on the uillean pipes and whistles, among many others.
“Two of the album’s original carols are songs Kristyn and I penned with Stuart Townend,” Keith states. “‘Joy Has Dawned’ and ‘Fullness of Grace’ are both inspired by John 1. And in the past two years, as Kristyn and I had been hoping and praying for a child of our own, she and Stuart wrote a setting of The Magnificat.”
“I have sung ‘Magnificat’ in the midst of longing for a baby, as well as when I was pregnant and looking forward to seeing our little daughter, and now as she is here with us,” Kristyn says. “As all encompassing as the hope for and birth of a baby is, Mary's focus was a helpful—though often difficult—reminder for me to not become lost in my own story and struggle, but to bring my life continually in praise to a merciful God whose arm reaches to show favor to a world that can only be rescued and made right by His salvation. This is the great Gospel story, and our lives only make sense and are strengthened and comforted under its Truth.”
“How Suddenly A Baby Cries,” which Keith & Kristyn wrote with Fionan de Barra, is yet another deeply personal song for the couple. “I wrote the opening line before I ever knew just how much having a baby would suddenly change our lives, let alone the coming of God's own Son into our broken world,” Kristyn shares. The stirring modern hymn concludes with the “Narnian Reel,” penned by Keith and Fionan—one of several reels and jigs featured throughout the project. The reel’s melody, derived from the Irish folk tune “The Star of the County Down,” is a nod to native son and renowned theologian and author C.S. Lewis, whose vision of heaven was—fittingly—“Oxford placed in the County Down.”
Musically speaking, Joy – An Irish Christmas is an all-out seasonal festivity fueled by an eclectic range of influences. “It’s a contemporary fusion of Irish and world folk music: the Elizabethan lute, flamenco guitar, chamber choir, classical orchestra and American bluegrass instruments, to name a few,” Keith explains.
With the Gospel story anchoring such a broad canvas of sound, the passion and exuberance of the music most certainly honors the message. It’s an experience the couple, along with their acclaimed band, is anxious to present to audiences around the U.S. during this year’s multi-city Christmas tour. “There is such enjoyment and excitement in celebrating the most improbable thing that is the incarnation of God on earth,” Keith says. “In this season, bringing the Good News in the form of music is an opportunity for us to transport audiences into our living room each night, giving them a taste of Christmas in Ireland. In offering new songs, as well as singing together ‘Joy To The World,’ ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,’ ‘What Child Is This?’ and other hymns and carols that evoke memories of Christmases past, it’s a humble reminder that the Savior’s birth unites all generations in chorus together.”
In short, Joy – An Irish Christmas finds Keith & Kristyn Getty embracing the music of their heritage while adding an important new chapter of rich modern hymns to the story of Christmas in song. And, as they simultaneously embark on the life-changing journey of parenthood, a newfound understanding of true Christmas joy is revealed. Proof indeed that it truly is all about a baby.
