Provident Label Group

Release Date: October 27th 2023

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

Matthew West– Because Of Bethlehem (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

1. Because Of Bethlehem

Over the past few years, I reckon one of the artists who has inspired me and impacted me immensely, is CCM artist Matthew West. Known for his singles “The Motions”, “More”, “You Are Everything”, “My Own Little World”, “History”, “Only Grace”, “The God Who Stays”, “Forgiveness”, “What If”, “Truth Be Told”, “Hello My Name Is”, “Day One”, “All In” and “Broken Things” to name a few; Matthew has also won and been nominated for Grammy Awards and Dove Awards. He’s also the host of The Matthew West Podcast; and he’s been reminding us all, time and time again over the years, about the power of a story. Since 2010, Matthew has been writing songs about his listeners and the stories they’ve been going through. The result has been a career that has been improving exponentially by the album. I’ve blogged about Matthew here, while Jon has also reviewed Matthew’s 2020 album Brand New. We’ve also voiced our opinions about Matthew’s latest singles “What If” (with Lathan Warlick) and “Truth Be Told” (with Carly Pearce). Matthew has also released his Christmas album We Need Christmas in 2021; while Matthew released brand new singles last year that we’ve reviewed: “Me On Your Mind”, “Wonderful Life”, “Before You Ask Her”, “How Good Of God”, a new rendition of “Me On Your Mind”- this time a collaboration with CCM/country rising star Anne Wilson, as well as “My Story Your Glory”. He was definitely building up to a new album, wasn’t he? And build up to a new album has Matthew indeed! Early this year, the double disc 22-track pop/CCM/worship project My Story Your Glory released to stores and to digital outlets- and as far as albums go, this collection of heartfelt, worshipful, impacting, inspiring and honest songs comprise of one of the most thought-provoking and standout albums of the year, behind Dolly Parton’s Rockstar. My Story Your Glory the album, is a powerful, comforting, inspiring, and encouraging selection of life-changing and hopeful tracks about our lives being the stories that God uses to draw others closer to Him; and I firmly believe that this album may be Matthew’s best of his entire career! And while you can read my review of the groundbreaking 2-disc worship album here, and wait for our thoughts on Matthew’s expanded edition version of the same album, which we will be reviewing soon; because it’s nearing to Christmas, let’s jump into the latest single from Matthew, an original Christmas song called “Because Of Bethlehem”.

I’m so excited to share this new song for the holidays. This song was actually inspired by a book written by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado. I saw the title of the book, ‘Because of Bethlehem,’ and immediately thought, ‘that would be a great song title!’ Then it became my mission to write a song and surprise my friend Max with lyrics that would hopefully capture the same heartbeat of his book. The message is this: the hope of the world had humble beginnings. It’s because of Bethlehem and the birth of a savior that we can experience joy, love, peace, and even the hope of eternity.

A simple yet profound and lyrically strong original Christmas song, the hymn-like “Because OF Bethlehem” is probably one of my favourite original Christmas songs since “baby Boy” by for KING & COUNTRY. And as Matthew powerfully relays that because of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, we can praise Him forevermore and declare out that ‘…Love is born, Hope is here, Heaven’s light has made the darkness disappear, Peace on earth, Good will to men, God with us all because of Bethlehem…’; we are met with easily the most inspiring and most impacting original Christmas song this year. Matthew deserves all of the accolades, but further than that, Jesus deserves the praise, because if He wasn’t born, then we’d have no relationship with Him.

Like he has countless times before, Matthew West has proven on this song to still be a force to be reckoned with in CCM and in music generally and overall. Matthew West remains to be one of today’s most inspiring and relatable artists. And his timeless songs are proof of this impact and influence; while this unique Christmas song inspired by Max Lucado’s book, is a timely, powerful, and joyous melody about God’s faithfulness and His immense love present in our lives. Well done, Matthew, I can’t wait to hear what God has in store for you next! Are you all a fan of Matthew West yet? No? Well then listen to this ambitious and hard-hitting new Christmas anthem, and the rest of his discography! I guarantee it you’ll be a fan by then!

Score: 5/5

RIYL: Maddie & Tae, Micah Tyler, Sanctus Real, for KING & COUNTRY, Carly Pearce, Lady A, Florida Georgia Line, Sidewalk Prophets