Raymond Howard 'Ray' Boltz was born on June 14, 1953 in Muncie, Indiana. He released his debut album WATCH THE LAMB in 1986. As the years went on, he became known for such moving songs as 'Thank You', 'The Altar', 'I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb', and 'One Drop of Blood'. Fast forward to 1997 and he released A CHRISTMAS ALBUM (Word). It was produced by Steve Millikan and executive produced by Ray and Lois Veenstra. In the liner notes, after reflecting on Jesus' mother Mary, Ray writes: "It is my prayer that as you listen to the songs on this project, you will find yourself looking at Jesus too...and as you keep your eyes on Him, you will be filled with that same strength, peace, joy, and love".
1. Starting things off is 'Glad Tidings' penned by Ray, Steve Millikan, and Randy Melson. It begins with a children's choir singing acappella. Then it turns into an upbeat adult contemporary number that recalls the night Jesus was born many a year ago: "And so it was/The lowly shepherds lay/In fields they watched their flocks by night/And suddenly/They heard an angel say/As they were frightened by a great light/'Glad tidings to all the world/Glad tidings we bring/Unto you is born this day/Emmanuel/A Savior and a King'".
2. 'The Perfect Tree' is one of five songs here written by the duo of Ray and Steve Millikan. Sandy Williams plays guitar and background vocalists include Marshall Hall and Amy Rouse. This easy listening song is ultimately about the cross: "The perfect tree/Grew very long ago/And it was not decked with silver or with ornaments of gold/But hanging from its branches/Was a gift for you and me/Jesus laid His life down/On the perfect tree".
3. 'Oh, What a Beautiful Name' features the wonderful vocals of The Martins and finds Steve Dokken on upright bass and Tim Wright on steel guitar. This is a reverent easy listening ballad about the night Jesus was born: "Jesus, Jesus/Oh, what a beautiful Name/Jesus, Jesus/Forever will be the same/I know of a name, a beautiful Name/That unto a baby was given/The stars glittered bright throughout that glad night/And angels praised God in heaven".
4. Children and ladies provide additional vocals on 'I Believe in Bethlehem'. This tropical sounding song begins with these words of positivity: "I believe in Bethlehem/Shining stars and making friends/Peace on earth, goodwill to men/In all the world/I believe in silent nights/Gifts of love and guiding lights/I believe it all began in Bethlehem".
5. Skip Ewing wrote 'The Gift'. Tim Wright plays steel guitar on this story song: "For them there were no presents around the Christmas tree/No flashing lights unless you count the lamp across the street/A fire in a barrel/No chimney and no roof/To most of them Santa Claus was the man who made the soup.../But who needs Christmas presents?/We already have the gift".
6. Ray, Mark Pay, and Steve Millikan wrote the beautiful adult contemporary anthem 'Bethlehem Star'. Here are some of the words: "I may not be a wise man/And I don't have much to bring/But my heart is my gift of love/So lead me to the King/Bethlehem star, how beautiful you are/Shining in the darkness/Guiding strangers from afar/As your light fills the heavens/His love fills my heart/So shine for me my Bethlehem/Oh, that I might worship Him/Shine for me my Bethlehem star".
7. An upbeat, tropical pop version of 'Go Tell it on the Mountain' is up next. It's a song of testimony: "Down in a lowly manger/The humble Christ was born/And brought us God's salvation/That blessed Christmas morn/Go tell it on the mountain/Over the hills and everywhere/Go tell it on the mountain/That Jesus Christ is born".
8. 'When Her Eyes Are On the Child' is an easy listening story song: "There's a soldier whose name is Terry/And he's serving far from home/It's the first time that he's spent Christmas far away and all alone/And when his eyes are on the Child/He finds all the strength he needs/All the struggles and the trials/Just turn into perfect peace/He can even stop and smile/When his eyes are on the Child".
9. 'Still Her Little Child' dates back to 1991. David Huntsinger plays acoustic piano, while Steve Millikan plays synthesizer. This adult contemporary anthem is told from Mary, the mother of Jesus' perspective: "When she laid Him in a manger/He was still her little child/In a city filled with strangers/He was still her little Child/Though the inn was full and the night was cold/She held Him close and smiled/When she laid Him in a manger/He was still her little Child.../When the people turned against Him/He was still her little Child/When they shouted 'Crucify Him'/He was still her little Child".
10. The album concludes with 'Sent by the Father', a great adult contemporary number that reminds us of Christ's upcoming return to earth: "Oh, but soon every eye shall see Him, angels at His side/See Him now on a great white stallion in the eastern sky/Sent by the Father/'Jesus, go and call my children'/A trumpet sounds and the angels sing like never before/With shepherds and wise men/We humbly bow/And every tongue confess that He is Lord". It's a song of victory indeed!
A CHRISTMAS ALBUM focuses on the spiritual aspects of Christmas. It's a good album to help us focus on the night of Christ's birth and the awe and wonder of that night as seen through the eyes of Mary, the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men. Christ is presented as Savior and King and a Gift to humankind. He brings us love and joy. It is important to keep our eyes on Jesus. Our response to Jesus coming to earth for us should be to give Him our hearts and share the Good News of the Gospel with whoever we come into contact with. A gratitude for Calvary and anticipating Christ's return are also sung about here. Easy listening and adult contemporary sounds dominate the album and there are several slower songs than faster ones on this album. Ray's vocals are great! I'm rating A CHRISTMAS ALBUM 100%. For more info visit: www.rayboltz.com and/or connect with him on Facebook.