Peace on Earth and Mercy Mild

On the twentieth day of highlighting lesser known Christmas songs (or versions of classics I gravitate to each year), my choice of song is “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, by Australian import Rebecca St. James. Taken from 2005’s “WOW Christmas: Green” collection, which featured exclusive recordings by Christian artists (similar to the NOW series for secular music), the arrangement is upbeat and contemporary. The song can also be found with nearly all her hits on RSJ’s “The Ultimate Collection” from 2008.

St. James released her debut album at the age of 14, after opening shows for Carmen in Australia at age 12. Subsequent albums followed, with “God”, “Pray”, and “Transform” being both commercially and critically successful. Often compared to a Christian Alanis Morissette, RSJ has been successful with rock, electronic, pop, as well as worship genres throughout her career.

Hit singles include “God”, “Pray”, “Wait for Me”, “Alive”, “Dawn” (with Luke Smallbone), “Reborn”, “Breathe”, “Above All”, “Go And Sin No More”, “Battle is the Lord’s”, “Expressions of Your Love” (with Chris Tomlin), “God of Wonders”, “Song of Love”, “You’re the Voice”, “I Thank You”, “Yes, I Believe in God”, “You Are Loved”, and “Don’t Worry”.

Rebecca St. James is a one-time Grammy winner, as well as the winner of 3 Dove Awards. She is also an accomplished actress and author. She is the older sister of brothers Joel & Luke Smallbone of for KING & COUNTRY, and is married to Foster the People’s former bassist Jacob Fink.

To hear more holiday music from Rebecca St. James, check out 1997’s “Christmas”. Her most recent release is 2020’s “Dawn”.