Artist: Mercy's Well
Project Title: Bethlehem Sky
Label: Independent
Producers: Donna King

Here at the Southern Gospel Music Forum we sometimes do not review Christmas projects the same year they come out given the short period of time we have to review them.  However, as long as we have never reviewed the project before, we are always happy to review them no matter when they were released and recorded.  Mercy’s Well released “Bethlehem Sky” in 2012 and we are thrilled to be reviewing this one right now.

The project gets off to a rousing start with “Caroling, Caroling” and I know of no other song that can set the Christmas season and spirit better than this one!  This leads us right into “Sing Joy.”  This is a song that I have never heard before but the song focuses on the joy that came to us when Jesus came to earth and brought us salvation.  “Christmas Instead” is a catchy song written by Donna King and Rachel Perry and I absolutely love this song and the message of it!  It reminds us of some of the things we associate with Christmas but then it reminds us what that true meaning of Christmas actually is!  One of the common themes of Christmas songs is peace and “A Little Peace On Earth” is a wonderful song that is wishing just a little peace on this crazy earth.

Mercy’s Well goes back and gets the old Christmas classic, “Angels We Have Heard On High” next and this is a lively and fun arrangement of this classic song.  “When A Savior Dreams” is a unique song that wonders what our Savior might have dreamed about.  It is a song that certainly puts a different perspective on the Christmas message but it is a good song.  One of my favorite of the “modern” Christmas songs is “Ordinary Baby.”  Strangely enough I have not heard that many versions of this song but Mercy’s Well has an outstanding version and I love it!  “Let There Be Light” reminds the listener of the Light that came into the world to dispel the darkness on that first Christmas Day.

“Face Of Grace” is a beautiful song and that really puts into perspective who that Jesus born on Christmas Day really was.  He truly was the face of grace and it was because of that Baby born that day that we can now be saved.  “Heaven And Nature Sing” picks up the pace once again and this upbeat sing is a song simply proclaiming the wonder of the Christ’s Birth.  Another classic Christmas song is next as Mercy’s Well sings “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”  Of course, this song is a sentimental favorite as we all think about going home on Christmas to spend the day with our families and loved ones.  The final song on the project is another classic titled “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.”  The song is a favorite of mine and Mercy’s Well has a good version of this classic Christmas carol.

We reviewed another Christmas project from Mercy’s Well a few years ago so I had a pretty good idea what to expect when I opened this CD and placed it in the player!  I was a expecting a high quality, well produced project and that is exactly what I got!  My favorite songs from this project are “Christmas Instead,” “Face Of Grace” and “Ordinary Baby.” The project has a nice mix of new songs and old classics and it makes for an enjoyable project to listen to all throughout the Christmas season.  For more information on Mercy’s Well, visit their website at www.mercyswell.com.