The new band Love & The Outcome has had an exciting year. Husband-wife duo Jodi and Chris have been fixtures on the Christian radio chart for most of the year with their infectious hit song, "He is With Us," and they can be seen on the Winter Jam tour. While we are awaiting their follow-up single, "King of My Heart," they have released an original Christmas song, "Emmanuel."

I had the chance to speak with the couple about their catchy new song, "Emmanuel," which is a great follow-up song connected to their songwriting theme of trusting in God.

Please tell me about the story behind recording the song.

Jodi: "Emmanuel" means "God with us." As you can tell, the Lord being our stronghold is a theme that you hear from us quite often—just like with "He is With Us." I think beyond that, the reality that God is with us is reason to have joy. It is more than an emotion or a feeling, but a reality in our lives, even in the midst of tough times.

Chris' mom passed away near Christmas on our anniversary on December 14th. Even Christmas for us doesn't always naturally give us joy; it is one of the most vulnerable and raw times of the year. Anything happening in your life can come to the surface at this time of year. We needed a song to remind ourselves that not only is God with us, but it goes beyond that. His gift to us, Christ being born for us, is the reason that we can choose joy, especially at this time of year. That's why we chose this theme for the song.

Chris: For us, there will always be a reflective, melancholy feel around Christmas because of my mom passing away two weeks before Christmas, two years ago—and on our anniversary. We always want to feel joy, and I listen to the Charlie Brown Christmas music all through this holiday season. I love Christmas. The timing of that experience will always serve to remind us that there are a lot of different circumstances around the world and this season can also remind people of lost loved ones. It's not all about the Christmas trees and decorations, but also about our relationships with our families and our Creator.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song? 

Isaiah 7:14-15 (NKJV): "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good."

Matthew 1:23 (The Voice): "A virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and His name will be Immanuel which is a Hebrew name that means 'God with us.'"

Hebrews 11:8 (The Voice): "By faith Abraham heard God's call to travel to a place he would one day receive as an inheritance; and he obeyed, not knowing where God's call would take him."

What's the takeaway message for listeners? 

Jodi: We sort of see ourselves as message bearers. I think at the Christmas season, especially, it is a really fun time to share Good News. Jesus is the ultimate Good News. Honestly, we are hoping that creates an atmosphere of thanksgiving. I know for me that naming my blessings and saying them out loud to the Lord returns in joy. Hopefully that's what happens when people hear this song and they start singing along with us. I hope people want to proclaim God is good, and want to thank Him and praise Him. That's the response we want people to have.

Lyrics:
For everyone
Hope has come
The Savior of the world

To light the dark
And heal our hearts
He is The Savior of the world

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Our God has come close
The world needs to know
This good news we have to tell
Emmanuel

For unto us
Is born the one
Who's love will set us free

And we will sing
Unto our king
His love has set us free

Ring the bells
Ring the bells
Emmanuel

The mission of this great new husband-and-wife band is that they are truly living out a faith journey, like Abraham and Sarah in the Bible, living in faith and with hopeful expectations. Jodi and Chris are following God's leading in their lives, and traveling from place to place, without always knowing where they are going next. That's the type of faith in God that He calls each of us to have, and to remember that He is with us to the end of the age. I love their music ministry of carrying God's name and proclaiming His goodness and faithfulness everywhere they go.

I love the celebratory feel of this song, and this band has a way of inviting me in to worship with along with them, "in Spirit and in Truth" as they enthusiastically worship our King, Jesus. Every year we anticipate Christmas in my family by reading Scripture daily to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus. My wife and I spoke with our three daughters about God's prophesy in Isaiah 7:14 where God tells us exactly what is going to happen 700 years before the birth of His Son. 

One of my favorite Christmas hymns is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." This song captures that emotional anticipatory feel of being expectant with reverent waiting for this holy day. You can sing this song in preparation this Christmas season in remembrance of Jesus and God's promise. You can also express joy at the end of the song and sing at the top of your lungs, "ring the bells, ring the bells, Emmanuel" in celebration. That's how God would like us to prepare our hearts for His coming. Amen to that!

(You can preview and buy the song here.)