For the past two years, LIGHT OF THE STABLE has been the first Christmas music I've listened to. Just hearing this album instantly puts me in the Christmas spirit. "Christmas Time's A-Coming" starts the season off beautifully. The versions of "O Little Town Of Bethlehem", "Away In The Manger", "The First Noel", and "Silent Night" sound as if they're being sung by angels. "The First Noel" is sung without instrumnetal backing, in beautiful harmony with the Whites. "Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem", "Golden Cradle", "Little Drummer Boy", and "Angel Eyes" are equally gorgeous. "Light Of The Stable" is one of my favorite Christmas songs. One listen to this album will put you in the spirit of Christmas. You won't regret buying it.

Emmylou originally recorded this in 1978, when she was at the peak of her popularity. The instrumentation is generally sparse but effective, allowing Emmylou's voice to shine.

The set opens with the bright, upbeat Christmas time's a coming, done bluegrass-style with banjo and mandolin. All the remaining songs are slow to mid-tempo. They include the Rodney Crowell song Angel eyes, the Irish lullaby Golden Cradle and several Christmas standards, most very famous but including Beautiful star of Bethlehem which doesn't get recorded as often as the other carols here.

The album closes with the brilliant Light of the stable, which features Neil Young, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on harmony vocals.

Emmylou and her band were in top form when they recorded this album. A couple of extra upbeat songs might have made this album even better, but it's still a great album for those quieter moments around Christmas time.

As many other reviewers have stated before me, it just wouldn't be Christmas without Emmylou. The sweetest voice this side of heaven, Emmylou Harris' "Light of the Stable" is so personel that it feels as if she's singing just for you. I cannot choose just one favorite amongst these tracks. Each one is a favorite, from the bluegrassy "Christmas Time's A-Comin'" to "Silent Night." I must say, though, that the title track, with the most beautiful 'Hallejula's' I've ever heard, stands out just a bit above the rest.
I have listened to this album since it first came out and never tire of it. If there was one complaint, however, that would be the length. It could be a few songs longer. I'm sure that Warner Brothers has some music from this session that for whatever reason, they chose not to include on this album. It would be great if they would dig through their vaults, find those songs, and throw them on a special edition of this recording.
But don't let the length stop you from purchasing this disc. Buy this, and maybe one of Robin Petrie's Christmas CD's (seriously - check her out ...- Emmylou's and Robin's cd's sound great together!) and what a fine Christmas Eve you will have!

This is a beautiful collection of Christmas songs... some familiar and some unique... all blended to make the holiday season more festive. It is a big part of what makes the Holidays at my home feel "homey". You will not be disappointed

I bought the album, "Light of Stable" many years ago and played it at all during the Christmas holidays. Since I no longer own a turn table, I have missed listening to it and Christmas just hasn't been the same. I made a conscientious effort to search the store shelves during the Christmas Seasons for "The Light of Stable" CD and could never find it. Now that I have, I look foward to next Christmas. Thank you Amazon, for a wonderful service.