Prayer is an awesome gift that the Lord gave us. In ancient times servants were lucky to glimpse at the king of their country, let alone speak with him, even once in their lifetime.  Yet, our King is open and waiting to hear from us everyday, for as long as we will speak to Him. We should pray to Him now, asking for guidance and peace in the world, and thank Him for the various blessings He gives us everyday. Since God has given so many gifts to us, we should be giving gifts that reflect God’s love. With Christmas just around the corner, think of giving songs that praise His name.

We have many new CDs that are just in time for the Christmas season. They would be wonderful expressions of love for those on your Christmas list.

Nick Alexander’s new CD Eternal Life--The Party Album will not hit stores until November 15.  Catholic Music Network has it ready to order NOW so you can get your hands on this most anticipated follow up to his debut, A Time To Laugh. Expect this to be a smash success. Nick is the “Catholic Weird Al” with classic parodies of popular songs, giving them a Catholic twist! (Listen to a past audio profile of him.)  Eternal Life--The Party Album is the perfect gift for anyone who likes to laugh. Youth groups, college students, retreat leaders, CCD teachers, prison ministry, the butcher, baker and candlestick maker, all would love this CD!  It’s funny, but the Catholic lyrics bring it back home with a message. Who but Nick Alexander can take the 80’s hit by Eddie Grant, “Electric Avenue,” and turn it into a song about a favorite saint, Therese of Lisieux? Who else can make songs about missionaries from “Turning Japanese” ("Teaching Them To Read") or “I Will Survive” ("Evangelize")? Nick also takes the classic Cream song, “White Room,” and makes a song about a vocation retreat ("Monastery Trip"). Just when you think you have Nick pinned down as a comedy artist, he does one better and shows how he got into the Catholic music business, with a fantastic song of praise. “Too Late Have I Loved You” is his song based on the writings of St. Augustine of Hippo. My favorite song on Eternal Life--The Party Album is Nick’s take-off on the Lenny Kravitz song, “Fly Away,” called, “Canonized A Saint”.  Nick tells his wish to become a saint: "I want a blurb within Butler’s and on the Calendar...”  Hmmmm.  St. Nick does have a ring to it!!

Need to take a 90 degree turn for a gift?

Catholic dynamite! That is my take of the new CD by Angelina, called The Chaplet Of Divine  Mercy.  Angelina’s voice is one that belongs among the multitude of heavenly hosts that announced the birth of our Lord. She is like an angel singing the prayers of Divine Mercy that were given to us by Jesus through St. Faustina. This CD will touch your soul. Prayer is what this world needs right now, and what better way to do it? Angelina is accompanied by classical guitarist Giovanni de Chario, making the melody unforgettable, but not overpowering, almost ambient. Two versions of the Divine Mercy Chaplet are on the CD, one sung and one spoken. Angelina also does original songs with a Divine Mercy message. “Fountain Of Mercy” is based on Fr. George Kosicki’s book Come To My Mercy. “Jesus, I Trust In You” is the song that will leave its impression on your heart. It is both a love song about Jesus’ mercy and the peace He promises. “You give a new beginning and a peace that dreams could never know...”  I still cannot believe that this is the voice of a 13 year old!  Both of these songs are also available as a CD single. If you have someone who loves Charlotte Church, you owe it to them to pick up this and past Angelina CDs. She is much better! 

Ellen Soukup, a stay-at-home mother of two, while happy in her starring roles in motherhood and marriage, is now the star of her own CD. Called Thy Will Be Done, the compact disc is a compilation of Christian contemporary and gospel music that is prayerfully stunning. Ellen has a voice and style that would match that of Emmylou Harris or Linda Ronstadt. Songs like “Yes, Lord, Yes,” and the ageless classic, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” are all produced with an emphasis on the words and on the clear and straightforward voice of this promising new Christian vocalist. Ellen provides much of the piano accompaniment herself, with background vocals, guitar, strings, and organ heard on various pieces. In speaking of her talent Ellen says, ”God has given me this gift and if it can make that wedding a little more special or a particular event more exciting or memorable, then that’s enough for me. Still, making a CD has been a dream of mine, just not one I took too seriously.” The collection of 13 songs is a lifeline for those who are dealing with hardship. Ellen has said that many people listen to it every day, making “Because The Lord Is My Shepherd” and “O God You Search Me” a regular part of their prayer life. Adults and children alike have found strength over the luminous “Ten Thousand Angels” and the haunting “Mary Did You Know." The jewel of the CD is the title track, “Thy Will Be Done”. It is also the first song Ellen ever wrote.  It is a prayerful piece Ellen was inspired to write through her devotion to the Virgin Mary. You can hear the Blessed Mother's words come alive in her becoming a living temple for the Son Of God. It is a great Christmas message. Ellen says, “My hope is that people will find beauty in the music and let God come into their hearts.”

John Michael Talbot fans have been waiting for his new CD, Wisdom. "Wisdom is a project that taps into the Old Testament wisdom tradition of the Jews from a universal New Testament perspective for all people. Specifically, I have used the books of Wisdom, Sirach, and Proverbs for texts. These books were most treasured by the early Christians as most similar in teaching and tone to the teaching of the Master," says Talbot. Wisdom keeps with JMT’s more reflective, meditative ballad style. Songs like  "Prayer," "Swift To Hear, Slow To Answer," and "In God’s Peace" combines his rich tenor vocals with sophisticated classical guitar playing.   John Michael Talbot is the number one Catholic recording artist and he is known for creating albums designed for worship as well as for quiet meditation and reflection. Any of his recordings make a perfect gift for anyone you know who enjoys Catholic music that helps bring the listener before the throne of God through quiet contemplation.