Aaron Shust

Unto Us
Centricity Music

Aaron Shust’s new Christmas record, “Unto Us,” could easily get lost in the rush of “me too” Christmas records that batter us this time of year. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

“Unto Us” is that rarest of Christmas releases that points continually to the wonder of the birth of our Savior. It does it in such a beautiful and cohesive way that we may just forget for a few moments all the hype, presents, hustle and bustle, and overwhelmingly commercial slant that Christmas has taken. For the first time in a long time here is a Christmas record that from beginning to end conveys the glory, majesty and wonder of that night 2,000 years ago when God became man and came to earth to be with us.

The record has a definite flow. The first five tracks are the proclamation heralding, “Christ has come.” The next three tracks are described by Shust as the sanctuary, recounting the nativity scene, Christ’s birth, Mary’s lullaby and shepherds kneeling in adoration. Shust then finishes with what he calls the “party,” the joyous exodus of the shepherds as they run through the Bethlehem streets screaming the news of the miracle they’ve witnessed.

Much of the music was recorded in the Czech Republic with the Prague Symphony Orchestra. The music is at times breathtaking and the message is timeless. Recommended for your Christmas playlist.