As a general rule, this website doesn’t cover Christmas music, or any kind of holiday music for that matter. But for every rule there is an exception, and “Christmas Eve” by Betsy Lane is that exception.
Despite the title, this isn’t truly a Christmas song. This song doesn’t celebrate the birth of Jesus or commercial Christmas; rather, Lane sings about heaven. Lane speaks to a friend she lost, asking her straight-out what heaven is like. The chorus is simple, but that simplicity adds a tinge of beautiful innocence to the track. Lane sings, “Is heaven beautiful? Is it everything we dreamed when we were little girls, dreaming about it on Christmas Eve?”
Lane’s detailed descriptions in the verses provide context for the simple chorus and are some examples of country songwriting at its best. The little moments, like Lane finding a package of her friend’s old clothes under her Christmas tree, and the family in the waiting room wanting to hear anything but the truth, depict the most bittersweet parts of real life. For anyone who has lost someone, “Christmas Eve” is a song that will provide comfort. The sadness in it is important, but the hope and beauty of the chorus elevates this song to the next level.
If you find you’re missing someone this holiday season, turn to this song. You will find hope in this song, and it will help you the way it has helped me. Thank you, Betsy, for this song.
Lane’s detailed descriptions in the verses provide context for the simple chorus and are some examples of country songwriting at its best. The little moments, like Lane finding a package of her friend’s old clothes under her Christmas tree, and the family in the waiting room wanting to hear anything but the truth, depict the most bittersweet parts of real life. For anyone who has lost someone, “Christmas Eve” is a song that will provide comfort. The sadness in it is important, but the hope and beauty of the chorus elevates this song to the next level.
If you find you’re missing someone this holiday season, turn to this song. You will find hope in this song, and it will help you the way it has helped me. Thank you, Betsy, for this song.