CHRISTMAS is a "busy" but "most wonderful" time of the year for world renowned Northern Ireland hymn writers, Keith and Kristyn Getty.
Together with their four daughters and band, the couple have embarked on their annual Sing! An Irish Christmas tour, playing the likes of New York's Carnegie Hall and Nashville's Grand Ole Opry.
Their festive special will also be broadcast to millions through the Trinity Broadcasting Network and on BBC Two on December 19.
As well as festive favourites, they will be singing their latest new single - Brightest and Best - which they have released with Grammy-winning country music icon Ricky Skaggs.
Telling the story of Jesus coming as a baby, it blends the timeless lyrics of 19th century Anglican Bishop Reginald Heber's seasonal carol with the bluegrass style of Ricky Skaggs and the Celtic sounds of the Gettys.
The single is in keeping with the style of the Gettys newest album, Confessio - Irish American Roots, which contains 13 songs filled with traditional Irish melodies and instrumentation, timeless hymns and brand new tracks.
"The whole album is essentially a love letter to the north of Ireland," says Keith, who came with his family last September to visit relatives and due to Covid restrictions ended up staying 10 months.
During this time the musical duo had the chance to revisit the people, places, poetry, and melodies which are part of their heritage and shared this with their daughters Eliza (10), Charlotte (7), Gracie (6) and Tally (3).
Having bonded over a shared love of music and faith, Keith (46) married Glengormley-born Kristyn (41) in 2004. And after giving up his career writing arrangements for everything from Cliff Richard to McDonald's ads, they moved to Nashville to concentrate on making modern worship songs.
With all their children being born in the States, they wanted to use this prolonged visit to explore the history and heritage of Ireland and its cultural links to America.
Amongst their "adventures" was a visit to the Amazing Grace Park in Buncrana and the shores of Lough Swilly, where is it believed John Newton penned the words to the great hymn Amazing Grace.
"My African-American friend argues that it is an African pentatonic melody, rather than Scots-Irish, so we thought it would be fun to merge both traditions and for Kristyn to record Amazing Grace with soul singer Dana Masters."
Recorded in Portstewart's Harry's Shack restaurant, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, they were accompanied by Keith on keyboard and saxophonist Kirk Whalum, who played the instrumental on Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You.
Also guesting on Confessio - Irish American Roots was American bluegrass-country singer Alison Krauss, in a 20th anniversary recording of In Christ Alone.
Written with Stuart Townend, it is estimated to be sung 100 million times every year.
"In Christ Alone was almost like the beginning of a brand - I don't mean brand Getty - I mean modern hymn writing. It's almost like a national anthem of Christianity," says Keith, who is still surprised by its success.
"I was 25 years old and living in Lisburn when I wrote that and it was just life-changing."
Far from a one-hit wonder, the Getty hymns are used increasingly both in contemporary and traditional circles, with 86 of their songs featuring in Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) top 2000 worship songs charts.
They have created the Getty Music record label, with a stable of other artists and launched their popular annual Sing! Conference.
But Keith is most excited to be creating the Sing Hymnal in 2024.
"That's my magnum opus. It will include the great hymns of history as well as modern hymns," he beams.
Looking to the past, their new album takes its title and inspiration from St Patrick.
"I was sitting in Ballycastle on a beautiful day looking out at Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre and it struck me that Christianity has been in Ireland for 17 centuries, from when Saint Patrick brought it over with his Confessio, his beautiful creativity, church planting and music.
"We set Confessio to a tune called Farewell to Ballymoney. The Scottish call the tune Courting is a Pleasure and the American's call it Charming Molly. It's all the same music and perfectly illustrates this amazing connection that we all have.
"Ireland has sent many missionaries into the world, and produced many great song and hymn writers. The idea that Be Thou My Vision, one of the world's most loved hymns, was written on this island is so special."
Whilst the Getty's write music to "worship the Lord" they are aware that their music touches people at different levels.
"We want to write beautiful version of hymns and help people understand Jesus in a better way, whether they are a Christian or not, and enjoy the music through singing in a church or by simply listening in their homes."
The track on the album he is most excited about is Pass the Promise, written by his wife Kristyn and Nashville recording artist Sandra McCracken.
"The three of us had planned to do a three-hour writing session together. But when the babysitter hadn't turned up, we decided to take it in turns to mind the kids.
"I was first, but near the end of the first hour Sandra had to leave to go to an appointment she had forgotten about. It turns out they had wrote the whole thing in just 45 minutes and I wasn't needed," he laughs.
"But what excites me about Pass the Promise is that we spend so much time worrying about our kids and praying about our kids, but we don't have a song to sing for them."
The Getty children are already showing signs of following in their parents footsteps, being involved in their concerts and online Family Sings and featuring in their new album, on Come Thou Almighty King.
"They go to singing lessons, Eliza plays the guitar and piano and Charlotte is a very good violin player. But they do it because they enjoy it," adds Keith.
Whilst planning to return to their Ballybogey home next summer for vacation, the Gettys are hoping to return to Belfast's SSE Arena in 2023 with another Sing! Belfast celebration.
:: Confessio - Irish American Roots is out now. To download Brightest and Best visit https://va.lnk.to/brightestandbest. For more information visit Gettymusic.com.
