Born This Day Ken Canedo	(Based on 1 vote)

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Lyrics

1. The people who wandered in darkness
have seen a marvelous light.
And on those who lived
too long in the shadows,
a great light shines.
Refrain
There is a child born this day,
a son who will lead us
to greatness and glory.
He shall be Wonderful Counselor,
powerful God,
always faithful Father, Prince of Peace.
2. The burden that weighed on our shoulders
is lifted on this wonderful day.
God has granted us abundant rejoicing
that knows no end. (to Refrain & Verse 1)
Final Refrain
There is a child born this day,
a son who will lead us
to greatness and glory.
He shall be Wonderful Counselor,
powerful God,
always faithful Father,
Prince of Peace.
He is the Prince of Peace.

Text: Based on Isaiah 9:1-2a, 5. Text and music © 2004, Ken Canedo. Published by spiritandsong.com®, a division of OCP. All rights reserved.

Artist Reflection

It's hard to write a Christmas song. How does a songwriter compete against such timeless classics as "Silent Night," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," and "Joy to the World" — not to mention "Jingle Bells," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"? When the editors of Spirit and Song 2 asked me to compose a new contemporary Christmas song, I jumped at the chance . . . and shuddered in my winter overcoat. What could I say about the joyful birth of our Savior that hasn't already been said before?

With a deadline fast approaching I decided to give up being original, textwise. This was to be a liturgical song, so I took one of my favorite scriptures, Isaiah 9, which is the beloved first reading of the Christmas Midnight Mass. There is such poetry in the prophet's words.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light . . .
For a child has been born for us . . .
He shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, . . . Prince of Peace . . .

Such beautiful text deserved the best possible music. I hope I succeeded. I turned again to one of my favorite styles of music: gospel. In my musical imagination, I could see and hear a fully-robed gospel choir singing this, with an outstanding soloist. When spiritandsong told me that my friend Nellie Cruz would sing on the recording, my heart leaped with joy! She did such an outstanding job as guest soloist on "Love Never Fails," and I was thrilled to work with her again. Give the song a listen and see if you don't agree that Nellie was an excellent choice.

My parish choir and youth choir sang "Born This Day" for the first time for Christmas 2005 and they poured their souls into it. Let your choirs and assemblies give the song a try in this Christmas season. May the celebration of Jesus' birth bring you and your loved ones into his marvelous light!

— Ken Canedo