Singer Gwen Stefani recently revealed the inspiration for her new Christmas song, “Christmas Eve,” explaining that the lyrics came to her one day while she was praying and jogging.
Stefani shared her story on “The Tonight Show” last week, where she told host Jimmy Fallon all about her new holiday album, “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” and, more specifically, about her faith-themed song.
“I think every writer would fantasize about writing a Christmas hit,” the singer said, while going on to say that the song “Christmas Eve” is essentially a “Christmas miracle.”
Stefani said she came up with the chorus after deciding to jog and pray. At some point during the run, she then started thinking about her Christmas music.
“I was running and I was like … ‘Maybe I’ll just start singing something,'” Stefani recalled. “Maybe something will come and the whole chorus to this song ‘Christmas Eve’ came — and it was like a prayer.”
The singer said that she quickly ran back to Blake Shelton’s ranch, where she was staying, to finish the song. But the lyrics were apparently so close to hymnals and church music that she at first feared that she had stolen them.
“Was this from church?” she recalled wondering. “I feel like I know this song.”
Listen to Stefani explain it all below:
The lyrics of “Christmas Eve” focus on a “need for forgiveness,” with Stefani seemingly asking God to show her “the way like a northern light” and to “save” her.
“I’m looking for you on Christmas Eve. All over the world the angels sing,” she sings. “But I’m feeling lost can you save me. I’m looking for you on Christmas Eve.”
Listen to the song below: