2024 - This is the first dedication of an album to Mary (the Mother of God, Theotokos), in the Johnny Church discography. The roster is comprised of himself, Johnny Church (guitar, cello, harmonium), Ana Church (vocals) and Giselle Boudreau (vocals). This is Giselle's debut album.

Timed to the season of Advent, leading up to Christmas, this album's main theme is that of a deep, aching longing, as if a musical participation in Mary's labour. Traditional stringed and reed instruments borrow harmonic tensions from bossa nova (Brazilian jazz), though very carefully set to a purposeful experience of prayerfully following Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The result is a delicate soundtrack to anyone in a season of darkness, yearning for the light - and meeting Mary and Joseph in the same journeying state.

And "delicate" was truly intended: it is a clear departure from the popular happy-go-lucky cheer of Christmas. Instead, the very first Christmas was chaotic, full of hardship, and fraught with disappointment. In the moment, Mary must've felt ashamed and embarrassed that she couldn't give God a better arrival gift than a stinky stable. Joseph likewise must've felt so guilty for having dragged Mary along to the census. And yet, the King of the Universe settled on coming into the world in precisely this way: that He longs to come and be with us, even in the midst of our messes, our loneliness and our own suffering, sharing in them. Happiness is not intrinsic to the season; rather, a deeper, subtler hope is the joy that comes from allowing God to be present in our darkness.

It's okay to have a tough Christmas.

A full interview, including commentary, answers to questions from an audience, and full listen-through of all the songs is featured on The River Song podcast, below. The full album is available at most online services, including the buttons below.