Bringing 'Joy to the World'

December 1, 2005

This year's most innovative collection of Christmas music promises to not only fill your living room with holiday spirit, but also help Mercy Corps deliver hope to millions around the world.

Oregon Catholic Press Publications and its sister organization, spiritandsong.com, an online portal for contemporary Catholic music, recently released Christmas Child, featuring 16 traditional carols and original songs.

OCP/spiritandsong.com will donate 25 percent of the proceeds from the sale of each CD, available for $20 at its online store, to support Mercy Corps' relief efforts around the globe.

For Jesse Manibusan, a singer/songwriter and motivational speaker with a large youth following, performing on Christmas Child was a chance to support Mercy Corps and encourage people to engage in the world. "We're not about the warm-and-fuzzy gospel," he says of his Texas-based Two By Two ministry, "we're about the gospel that compels you to take action."

A large, jovial man whose signature t-shirt features a yellow smiley face with its tongue out, Manibusan performs two tracks on Christmas Child: a soulful duet with Nellie Cruz and a doleful song he wrote several years ago called "Someone Is Waiting." It's what he describes as a kind of "in-your-face Christmas song" about the down-and-out who aren't feeling the holiday spirit. "I wanted to make people think about the deeper meaning of Christmas."

Elegantly and colorfully packaged, the long-play CD includes new folk, pop, and rock renditions of traditional carols as well as newly written songs with Christmas- and Advent-related themes. Many of contemporary Christian music's favorite artists - inspired by the cause and eager to be part of the project - contributed some outstanding new material.

Highlights beyond Manibusan's tunes include "Emmanuel," from Steve Angrisano's upcoming new album, and "Some Children See Him," by special guest Debby Boone.

Unlike other holiday musical offerings, Christmas Child is more than just great listening. It's proof that music can make a difference. Purchase your copy today.