Christmas Countdown: "Christmas in Our Hearts"

It's four days to go before Christmas. As I thought of something to post I heard on the radio a song that is said to usher the season in the Philippines. The four-word title, Christmas in Our Hearts, is the carrier single of the best-selling Christmas album in the history of Philippine music.

Comprising of tracks created by renowned singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan, the album was released twelve years ago. A few weeks after its November 1990 release, the album reached "triple platinum record" status. As of 2010, it has achieved the "double diamond record" milestone, or sales of 800,000 copies. With this, Chan surpassed his own achievement for the 1989 love song compilation Constant Change.
 

Front cover of the album (SOURCE: CD Universe)

STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Jose Mari Chan said in a 2003 interview with The Philippine Star that the original title of the carrier single of the album was Ang Tubig Ay Buhay ("Water Is Life"), based on a poem by Chari Cruz-Zarate. Chan added music to the words with the intention of composing a jubilee song for Assumption High School Class ‘63.

Chan during the launch of his 2012 album Going Home to Christmas (SOURCE: ABS-CBNNews)

Instead of using the resulting melody as the jubilee song, Chan used it in his first ever Christmas album. Rina Cañiza, a songwriter, collaborated with Chan on the lyrics of the carrier single, Christmas in Our Hearts. Chan performed the song with his daughter, Liza.


LYRICS:
Whenever I see girls and boys
Selling lanterns on the street
I remember the child in the manger as he sleeps
Wherever there are people
Giving gifts exchanging cards
I believe that Christmas is truly in our hearts
Let's light our Christmas trees for a bright tomorrow
Where nations are at peace,
And all are one in God

ChorusLet's sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday
This season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus
Let him be the one to guide us as another new year starts
And may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts

In every prayer and every song
The community unites celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ
Let love like that starlight on that first Christmas morn
Lead us back to the manger where Christ the child was born
So come let us rejoice
Come and sing the Christmas carol with one big joyful voice
Proclaim the name of the Lord

[Repeat Chorus twice]
Let's sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday
This season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus
Let him be the one to guide us as another new year starts
And may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts


Here is a Youtube video of the song posted by mjmichaeljackson100: