Christmas is a time of joy and wonder that is often mixed with anxiety and stress as the secular and sacred collide. Even believers are sometimes distracted from the true reason for celebration by the mundane demands of life during the hectic holiday season. For many people, music serves as an oasis in the midst of the madness, a way to focus on the miracle of our Savior’s birth and the beauty of God’s plan. Bethlehem Skyline2 opens a doorway to worship and invites everyone to celebrate.

Like the songs on its predecessor, 2007’s inaugural Bethlehem Skyline, this new compilation is a labor of love created by the Centricity Music family of artists. Downhere and Jason Gray, who contributed memorable tracks to the first Skyline project, once again participate on this second set. The new album also features songs from Andrew Peterson, Me in Motion, Lanae’Hale, Sixteen Cities, High Valley and Matt Papa.

Bethlehem Skyline was born out of a sense of community, not a company marketing agenda. “The album actually had very humble beginnings,” Gray explains. “It was a project that we all got to work on when we were at a retreat. What is beautiful about it, is that it was a labor of love.”

While the Centricity Music staff and artists were gathered together, the idea emerged to record the group singing “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” and the singalong sparked the idea to create a unique Christmas project. “It was the heartbeat of the whole thing,” Gray says. “I like the idea that it was not specifically born out of a marketing agenda.”

Just like the first Bethlehem Skyline, which spawned a multi-artist Christmas tour, this album includes both new tunes and covers of classic Christmas favorites. Me in Motion serves up an energetic version of the Brenda Lee hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” while Downhere puts their distinctive touch on “Silent Night.” High Valley, the Canadian Country trio of brothers Brad, Bryan and Curtis Rempel, serve up a potent rendition of “Away in a Manger.” Matt Papa covers “The Little Drummer Boy,” and Sixteen Cities offers up their unique take on “Oh Holy Night.”

Gray delivers a warm, beautiful rendition of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” “I loved that song when I was a kid,” Gray says. “It was always my favorite and I also thought it was a song that everyone knows but hardly anyone had ever recorded, so I thought it may be fun. It is not super heavy either and really kind of light. I think it compliments my other song on the CD, “Love Has A Name,” which is a little more serious and reflective.”

In addition to her self-penned, tongue-in-cheek “Starving Artist Christmas,” Hale breathes new life into “Carol of the Bells.” “It is one of my fave, fave, favorites,” Hale says enthusiastically. “I used to be in a chorus and we would sing that at Christmas time. Then my mom and I would harmonize together and sing it at Christmas when I was in high school, because she had been in chorus growing up also. We just both knew the song so it was kind of fun to put my own twist on it.”

As fun as it was to record old favorites from childhood, the artists admit that coming up with original Christmas songs was a challenge. With one listen to Me in Motion’s thoughtful “Give It Away,” Gray’s poignant “Love Has a Name” and Hale’s quirky “Starving Artist Christmas,” it is obvious the Centricity gang rose to the occasion and have created new holiday treasures.

“I was trying to write a Christmas song. I was stressing, and it wasn’t working,” Gray admits. However, when inspiration struck, the gifted singer/songwriter created a powerful new song sure to be embraced by audiences for generations. “I was interested in trying to bridge the gap between the secular and the sacred that we experience at Christmas time,” he says. “Some people despise the secular aspect of Christmas. I totally get that and I feel that too, but I think hidden in those things there is a longing for the gospel and a hope for Christmas.”

Me in Motion, a three-piece rock outfit that features drummer Brian Dexter, bassist Tim Wilson and lead vocalist/guitarist Seth Moseley, contributes the powerful new song “Give It Away.” “The song talks about how we can make a difference at Christmas time, and the answer is to love people,” says Moseley. “The hook line of the song says ‘Christmas isn’t really Christmas until you give it away.’ It’s an affirming song and the message is challenging people to reach out and help others.”

Hale’s original song, “Starving Artist Christmas,” is already a fan favorite. “She did that on the tour last year,” Gray says of the 2009 Bethlehem Skyline trek. “It was the hit of the tour. Everyone loved that song.”

“Starving Artist Christmas” is a humorous look at Christmas through the eyes of creative types who have more holiday spirit than cash in the bank. “I wrote that last summer,” Hale says. “I was excited that we got to do it for the Christmas tour. It was a lot of fun. Sometimes I had to wait to sing the second verse because people were laughing so hard.”

Whether enjoying these songs live during a concert or sitting at home, listening and celebrating the season alone in a quiet moment of worship, these songs embody what we all love about the holiday season. From track to track, Centricity Music’s talented family serves up music that exudes the joy, the hope and the spirit of giving that are the essence of Christmas.

“I’m just happy we were able to be a part of this project, as I think there’s a lot of really good variety on it,” Moseley says of Bethlehem Skyline2. “Lanae’s song is great, what Jason did is incredible and Downhere has some really classy arrangements. I think there’s something for everybody on this album.”