Customer Reviews

Rose of Bethlehem

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nicol Smith (who later became Nicol Sponberg), Todd Smith and Allan Hall made up Selah at the time this album was recorded. I knew nothing about this trio when I bought this album. All three of them are wonderful singers and each gets a chance to sing lead. The songs are a mix of originals and covers but all of them focus on the religious aspects of Christmas - you won't find Santa, reindeer or snowflakes here.

Silent night, O come o come Emmanuel, What child is this and O holy night are just distinctive enough to make them interesting, but no attempt has been made to do anything too clever with them.

Dolly Parton guests as duet singer on Once upon a Christmas, a song that she wrote for the Christmas album she did with Kenny Rogers in 1984. It was the title track and I think it is one of the best songs of its kind ever written. Dolly sang harmony (with Linda Ronstadt and Neil Young) on Emmylou's original version of Light of the stable, also covered here.

Those are the only songs that I'd come across before, though Rose of Bethlehem, written in 1992, may also be a cover. This stirring song, sung by Nicol, provides a brilliant climax to a stunning Christmas album. Nicol also sings lead on What child is this, Joy and O holy night. From hearing these four songs, it comes as no surprise to learn that Nicol has recorded solo as well as with the men in Selah.

Dove-award winning SELAH offers another powerful album in their third project, ROSE OF BETHLEHEM. Just in time for the upcoming holiday season, this project emits the happiness and hope of Christmas through the words of the songs, filling the listeners with excitement and anticipation. Featuring traditional songs ("Silent Night") as well as lesser-known ones ("Light of the Stable") and a guest appearance by Dolly Parton ("Once Upon A Christmas"), ROSE OF BETHLEHEM offers something for everyone.

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.

My husband and I are still listening to this CD even though it's March! We haven't grown tired of the beautiful melodies and words. It is truly glorifying to the Lord!

I accidently discovered this album by doing an iTunes search one night. "Light of the Stable" caught my ear many years ago, but I never knew the song other than by "allelulia" and I didn't know the name of it. Selah's version of this song is just "kicking" and really fun to listen to, reminding me of the reasons I fell in love with the song all those years ago. The song that brought me to tears, however, was "Mystery". The message in this song is so powerful I'd sing with any time of the year, regardless of the holiday. As soon as I heard a sample of "Mystery" I bought the album. I played it every day in December. Awesome!

This album is just perfect just as perfect as Be Still My Soul & Press On. It was just what you would expect from Selah, beautifully arranged, a pleasure to listen to and we are not even close to Christmas yet. I am waiting with bated breath for anything else they release.

I've only listened to this CD once. The only part I was not too fond of was the song with Dolly Parton; the style just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the music.
I look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus with this lovely music after Thanksgiving.

I bought this CD along with the Selah collection.

Upon hearing the first time, Rose of Bethlehem became my favorite Christmas album. Nicole, Todd and Allen are so blessedly talented - I'm convinced God gave them their talent in person... and is SO pleased that they each use their gift to praise Him!!!

Joy is one of my favorites... the perfect Christmas song! It brings me to tears every time.

And let me say, before I discovered Selah - I absolutely hated Christian music artists...because they're just so... bad. Selah is amazing. Their talent is DIVINE!!!

I adore this album! I fell in love the first time I heard it, and I love it still. This is some of Selah's best work. It's really too lovely to hear it just one season a year...I have been known to get it out during Lent already.

I purchased "Rose of Bethlehem" for my wife who is a big Selah fan. I like most of what I've heard from them. But this Christmas album is very good. In an age where everything had to be jazzed up and "up to date," "Rose" is a breath of fresh air. The traditional carols are just that: traditional. Instead of trying to twist and manipulate the classic carols, Selah lends their own unique talents to the Christmas standards.

The hauntingly beautiful violin in "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" will remind the listener that Christmas is about a Jewish Messiah. The violin reminded me of Itzhak Perlman's work on SCHINDLER'S LIST. My wife was certain it had been used in Herman Wouk's WAR AND REMEMBRANCE. I don't. I only know that it's both beautiful and captivating.

Also of note is what may be the capital track "Once Upon a Christmas" featuring the melodic voice of Dolly Parton (and written by the same).

The track "Noel" is not to be confused with "The First Noel". Its unusual rhythm may turn some off, and it's the only song on the CD that I tend to fast forward through. Many may enjy it though simply because it's different and a little off the Christmas beaten path.

I love "Rose of Bethlehem" very very much and will play it often. It's too good to be played only at Christmastime.

This is my favorite Christmas CD. There are old songs, but some originals as well. I love the rich harmonys.