"Jesus Born On This Day" is the second promotional single and seventh track from Mariah's first holiday album "Merry Christmas."[1] Released on November 18, 1994, the song is one of the three original Christmas tunes that were written and produced by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff.[2]
A live version of the song is featured on "Merry Christmas (Deluxe Anniversary Edition)."
Background[]
"Jesus Born on This Day" is centered around the birth of Jesus Christ which is universally accepted to be December 25 or Christmas Day. The song openly praises Jesus and regards as "our lord and savior." The demo version of the song is labeled as “2001 Mix” in the official multi-tracks for unknown reasons.[3] This alleged "demo version" included three lines of the phase "a shining star."[3]
Critical reception[]
in his book titled Mariah Carey Revisited, author Chris Nickson described the song as being "the most surprising" song from the album.[4] He also stated: "A full-blown production number, it employed not only Walter’s synthesized orchestra, but background singers and a children’s choir as well. The tune was quite solemn and hymnlike, but the arrangement, oddly, made it less religious and rather more glitzy, behind lyrics that overtly praised Jesus.[4]
Live performances[]
Mariah first performed "Jesus Born On This Day" during The Fresh Air Fund Benefit Concert in 1994.[5] During her performance, she was accompanied by a choir of kids from The Fresh Air Fund.[6] Footage from the performance was released on November 8, 2019 via YouTube[5] On the same day, Mariah tweeted about the performance:
| “ | Excited to share, for the first time ever, this performance of my original song Jesus Born On This Day (Live at St. John the Divine) featuring kids from the @freshairfund! | ” |
– Mariah Carey via Twitter - November 8, 2019 | ||
Mariah also performed a "snippet" of the song during her "All I Want for Christmas Is You: A Night of Joy and Festivity" concert in Madrid, Spain on December 17, 2018[7] During the performance, she mentions that her musical director Daniel Moore II reminds her about the songs that she has written and she dosent get to perform a lot.[7]
Covers[]
The musical group "Avalon" recorded a cover of the song for their album "Joy: A Christmas Collection" in 2000.[8][9]
Video[]
Lyrics[]
Today a child is born on Earth
(Today a child is born on Earth)
Today the glory of God
Shines everywhere
For all of the world
[Chorus]
Oh, Jesus, born on this day
He is our light and salvation
Oh, Jesus, born on this day
He is the King of all nations
[Verse 2]
Behold, the Lamb of God has come
(Behold, the Lamb of God has come)
Behold, the Savior is born
Sing of His love to everyone
[Chorus]
Oh, Jesus, born on this day
Heavenly child in a manger
Oh, Jesus, born on this day
He is our Lord and Savior
[Verse 3]
Today our hearts rejoice in him
(Today our hearts rejoice in him)
Today the light of His birth
Fills us with hope
And brings peace on Earth
[Chorus]
Oh, Jesus, born on this day
He is our light and salvation
Oh, Jesus, born on this day
He is the King of all nations
[Bridge]
Today a child is born on earth
(Today a child is born on earth)
[Outro]
He is light, He is love, He is grace
Born on Christmas day
He is light (He is God), He is love (He is God), He is grace (He is God)
Born on Christmas day
He is light, He is love, He is grace
Born on Christmas day
He is light (He is God), He is love (He is God), He is grace (He is God)
Born on Christmas day
He is light, He is love, He is grace
References[]
- ↑ Merry Christmas Wikipedia page - retrieved 6/22/20
- ↑ Genius Article - Jesus Born on This Day retrieved 6/22/2020
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jesus Born On This Day (2001 Mix) - Genius - retrieved 6/25/20
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mariah Carey Revisited : The Unauthorized Biography pg 175/235 retrieved 6/25/20
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mariah Carey - Jesus Born On This Day (Live at St. John The Divine) - Youtube retrieved 6/25/2020
- ↑ Excited to share, for the first time ever, this performance of my original song Jesus Born On This Day (Live at St. John the Divine) featuring kids from the @freshairfund ! https://youtu.be/2skcDwM3Dhk - Mariah Carey via Twitter - retrieved 6/25/20
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mariah Carey - Jesus Born On This Day Live 12-17-18 via YouTube - retrieved 6/25/2020
- ↑ Joy: A Christmas Collection - Wikipedia retrieved 6/25/20
- ↑ Avalon - Jesus Born On This Day (Lyrics) - Youtube - retrieved 6/25/20