NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 13, 2024) - Husband and wife duo Alabaster Grace releases their new Christmas single, “Mary, Did You Know?,” today, Friday, December 13, 2024, from Westar Media.

This gorgeous new arrangement of the beloved classic is the lead single from the duo's newly-released debut Christmas EP, Christ Is Born, produced by Corey Pavlosky of Pipe Dream Studios.

“‘Mary, Did You Know?’ is the perfect Christmas single to celebrate the season,” says Kathryn Livingston, Director of Client Services at Westar Media Group. “The sound is unique to Alabaster Grace with great vocals and instrumentals. A great song for the season!”

Brad Perry, a highly decorated former NASA rocket scientist, and his wife, Joanie Perry, a long-time educator—together known as Alabaster Grace—play to their strengths in this fresh take on the song, which features Joanie's tender voice backed by Brad's beautiful guitar arrangement.

“'Mary, Did You Know?' by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene has been a personal favorite of ours for many years," says Brad.

"Knowing that this song is a favorite among millions of listeners, we wanted to create an arrangement that would honor the original masterpiece," Brad continues. "One day, we sat down and just started playing around with it during a music session. Once we got into arranging it, we felt the result was distinct and beautiful."

"This song is acoustically driven to portray the tender love of a mother for her child—in this case, it is Mary, the mother of Jesus," says Joanie. "The musicality of the arrangement enhanced the lyrics, capturing the essence of the awe and love Mary must have been feeling at this special time in her life."

"And yes, we believe that Mary did know," says Joanie. "The questions in the song put the awesomeness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, into perspective."

"Mary, Did You Know?" is the centerpiece of the five-song EP, Christ Is Born, a short collection of songs celebrating the birth of the Lord. From familiar anthems and hymns to inspired original songs, this Christmas project is all about worshipping the newborn King!

Another standout on the project is “Away in a Manger/Silent Night Medley.” In this new arrangement by Alabaster Grace, the two traditional carols are intertwined in an intimate and delicately simple arrangement for acoustic guitar and voice, and the resulting song is a sweet lullaby filling listeners with God’s peace and comfort in knowing His love for us.

In addition to "Mary, Did You Know?" and “Away in a Manger/Silent Night Medley,” the songs on Christ Is Born include the contemplative and calming “Alleluia, Christ is Born!,” written by Alabaster Grace; “Emmanuel, Prince of Peace,” a new song by Alabaster Grace that exudes a childlike faith; and “Breath of Heaven (Coming Down),” a new song written by Alabaster Grace which was born during a quiet time of reflection.

"The release of this project has been in the making for a while," says Joanie. "Our dear friend, Julien Patterson, has been encouraging us to do a Christmas project for a few years, and finally, this year we were able to bring it to life."

"One of the songs on this project, 'Alleluia, Christ is Born!,' was released in 2022. The other Christmas songs in our catalog had been used in concert settings, but never officially recorded," she continues. "Two songs on the project were not original, but we have used our creative license to render a unique style and arrangement. We hope and pray that as you listen to this project, you will be drawn to the wonder of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Corey Pavlosky, founder of Pipe Dream Studios, served as the producer and recording engineer for Christ Is Born. He worked with Joanie and Brad to create a variety of styles with the music, while still maintaining the wonder of the season. Corey says, “Working with Alabaster Grace on this project brought out the Christmas spirit in an instrumentally and genre-diverse way!”

“It is a blessing indeed, that in this Season of Advent, Alabaster Grace is releasing its much-requested Christmas project, Christ Is Born," says Julien Patterson, president of Alabaster Grace Ministries. "These five wonderful Spirit-inspired selections tell the Christmas story and present the joy that is this season.”

Stream Alabaster Grace’s new Christmas single, “Mary, Did You Know?," on Spotify. Stream their new Christmas EP, Christ Is Born on Spotify. For more information about Alabaster Grace, visit alabastergraceministries.org. Follow Alabaster Grace on Facebook and Instagram.

About Alabaster Grace:

Brad Perry, a highly decorated former NASA rocket scientist, and his wife, Joanie Perry, a long-time educator, are known professionally as Alabaster Grace.

Joanie, Alabaster Grace's primary songwriter, served for many years in the Virginia school system as a teacher and librarian.

Brad, now the associate pastor of Historic White Marsh Church in Lancaster, Virginia, has spent much of his career at NASA, where he was the Director of NASA's Science Support Office, a member of the design team of the International Space Station, and served as an astronaut instructor for the Space Shuttle. His exceptional work earned him two of NASA's highest honors—the Exceptional Service Medal and the Outstanding Leadership Medal.

Long before this pair of licensed ministers met in 2012 and started their musical ministry as Alabaster Grace, Brad and Joanie each learned to cling to God’s promises. Especially dear to them is Romans 8:28 — We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28 NRSV).

Their unique backgrounds have contributed to a diverse and eclectic approach to their music. Regardless of the style or topic of each individual song, Alabaster Grace hopes to be a beacon of light to music lovers, pointing them to Jesus.

Based in Irvington, Virginia, Alabaster Grace is dedicated to presenting the message of Christ through music, as well as the spoken and written word, to a world that is need of hope and encouragement. Brad and Joanie Perry continue to lead worship, perform at concerts, and share inspirational messages at church retreats, coffee houses, and conferences, ministering to thousands across the globe. For more on Alabaster Grace, visit alabastergraceministries.org.

 

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