The Promise: A Celebration of Christ's Birth (1991)

The Promise: A Celebration of Christ's Birth is the tenth studio and Christmas album by Christian singer/songwriter/author Michael Card, released on October 10, 1991 by Sparrow Records. The album was produced by Phil Naish.

The Promise is a Christmas album but is more focused on Christ's birth. The events are considered from the perspective of different biblical characters like Joseph, Mary, the shepherds and the magi. The album is, in some ways, a companion to his 1987 release The Final Word, which also focuses on the birth of Christ. It contains all original music, with new recordings of Card's songs, "Joseph's Song" and "Immanuel." Card co-wrote five songs with musician and songwriter Scott Brasher. The album's only single "We Will Find Him" peaked at number 2 in early 1992 on the Christian AC chart.

Card also released a devotional book of the same name, as he writes about how the wise men was seeking wisdom and guidance to find the star to Jesus and how the reader can feel the angels and shepherds rejoice at His birth. The Promise peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

Track listing

All songs written by Michael Card, except where noted.

1. The Promise -3:42

2. Unto Us A Son is Given (A Promise) (Michael Card, Scott Brasher) -3:45

3. What Her Heart Remembered (Mary, A Witness) (Michael Card, Scott

Brasher) -4:09

4. Joseph's Song (Joseph, A Witness) (new recording) -3:45

5. Vicit Agnus Noster (Our Lamb Has Conquered) (A Promise) -2:40

6. Shepherds' Watch (Witnesses) (Michael Card, Scott Brasher) -3:26

7. Jacob's Star (A Promise) (Michael Card, Scott Brasher) -2:46

8. We Will Find Him (Witnesses) -3:53

9. Thou the Promise (Praise Chorus) (Michael Card, Scott Brasher) -3:12

10. Immanuel (new recording) -3:58

Radio singles

1991 -1992 "We Will Find Him" -#16 Christian CHR, -#2 Christian AC

Previous release: The Early Works (1991) (Benson Records compilation album) 

Next release: The Word: Recapturing the Imagination (1992)