Who Do You Say I Am [Songwriter Demo]: Christian Christmas Pop

Songwriter's Demo for uptempo Christian Christmas pop song "Who Do You Say I Am" by Talena Winters.

For everyone who’s ever felt lost in the tinsel.

The lights go up, the shopping lists grow longer, and somewhere between the third chorus of β€œJingle Bells” and the credit card statement, the whole point slips away. This song is a warm hand on the shoulder in the middle of the holiday chaosβ€”a gentle but direct invitation to pause, look past the sparkle, and remember whose birthday it actually is.

β€œWho Do You Say I Am” is an up-tempo Christian Christmas pop song in 12/8 at 120 bpm, with an accessible melody that spans just one octaveβ€”easy to sing, hard to forget. The lyric-forward verses build into a worshipful bridge celebrating Christ as King of kings and Emmanuel, God with us. Suitable for male or female lead, solo or with choir backup, it’s a natural fit for artist Christmas projects, church Christmas Eve services, special music, or faith-based holiday sync.

This demo is a songwriter recording intended to highlight the song’s potential for artists, worship leaders, and producers. Any commercial release would require a new master recording.

The underlying song is available for recording and licensing for:

  • Artist and worship releases (albums, EPs, singles)

  • Church services and special music

  • Faith-based media, film, and sync opportunities

For licensing or recording inquiries, please contact me.

For more Christmas special energy, check out my other Christmas songs.


Behind the Song

I went through a long period in my adult life at odds with Christmas, thanks to the conviction (worthy or not) that the holiday was rooted in pagan traditions that had been Christianized by the early church and that God would find the entire holiday unacceptable and repulsive. It was only much later that God impressed on me that, like everything else, He is in the business of sanctifying the broken and unholy, which is exactly what He’s done with this dark winter seasonβ€”for at no other time of year are so many ears willing to hear the name of Jesus Christ, or listen to the Good News that he’s come to save the world from sin and restore us into right relationship with God.

This song was originally written, in a somewhat more disillusioned form, during the time when I was angry at the way Christians willingly allowed the β€œlies” of Christmas to pervade their traditions. Recently, I rewrote it, redeeming the essential message of the song that, though there are many distractions around this holiday, the real question the modern Christian version of this holiday asks of us all is the question Jesus asked of his disciples when he walked the earthβ€”β€œWho do you say I am?”

My sincere wish is that at this season and every other time of the year, you would be able to answer as Peter did: β€œYou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16)

Merry Christmas to you and yours.


Lyrics

Each year in November, the sights start to change

As the bustle of Christmas draws near

But an outside observer might think it strange

In our activity, the heart of nativity

Is oft’ overlooked in the things we hold dear

 

It’s not in the gifts we give or receive,

It’s not in the snow or lights on the tree

Through the glitter and the glam

We must answer:

Who do you say I am?

 

They try to convince us the season’s joy lies

In spending before Christmas Eve

But the true season’s reason, no money can buy;

Come worship God the Son, Holy Eternal One

Who came down to lift up all hearts who believe

It’s not in the gifts we give or receive,

It’s not in the snow or lights on the tree

Through the glitter and the glam

We must answer:

Who do you say I am?

Who do you say I am?

 

He’s the God of gods

He’s the King of kings

Lamb of God, our saving grace

The Heav’ns bow down

And angels sing

He’s worthy of all our praise, Oh_

 

He’s the God of gods

He’s the King of kings

Emmanuel, God with us!

On this silent night

Creation sings

Come adore the Lord of love

 

’Cause it’s not in the gifts we give or receive,

It’s not in the snow or the tree

Through the glitter and the glam

It all comes down to this, oh,

It’s not in the gifts we give or receive,

It’s not in the snow or sparkle on the tree

Through the glitter and the glam

We must answer:

Who do you say I am?

Who do you say I am?

 

Beyond the glitter and the glam

We must answer: Who do you say I am?


Song Details

Track Title: Who Do You Say I Am

Track type: Songwriter demo

Licensing:

Available for recording and licensing of the underlying song (music and lyrics).

This demo recording is not available as a master or backing track and may not be reused, licensed, or released as-is.

Disclaimer:

This recording is a songwriter demo only, created with AI-assisted tools from my original composition (lyrics, melody/topline, chord structure), with production that includes AI-assisted elements for some instrument and vocal parts.

The purpose of this track is to showcase the song, not to serve as a finished, licensable master or backing track. Any artist or producer recording this track should plan to create their own fully produced version.

Credits:

Words and music by Talena Winters. Β©2005, 2025 My Secret Wish Publishing. All rights reserved.

Sound recordings Β©2025 My Secret Wish Publishing.

Sound recordings produced by Talena Winters. Includes audio created with generative AI licensed for commercial use.

β€œWho Do You Say I Am” is a joyful Christian Christmas pop song for anyone who’s ever felt the season’s true meaning slipping through the tinsel. Only on talenawinters.com.
Talena Winters

I make magic with words. And I drink tea. A lot of tea.

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