Christmas is an epic story. A member of the eternal, Holy Trinity chooses to come to earth, something He had a hand in creating, in the form of a helpless baby. It's the story of a rescue mission, yet so much of the music that celebrates this history-altering occasion is hokey and ill-fitting of the weight of the occasion. So it's refreshing to hear The Choir, a classic Christian alternative band (that has experienced a great comeback the last few years) tackle some Christmas music in its trademark, epic style.

Traditional English carol "I Saw Three Ships" swirls out of the gate first, with chiming, ethereal guitars and Derri Daugherty's terrific voice. Geographical errors aside (there is no bay or ocean near Bethlehem for ships to sail into), the song kicks off the EP in fine style, melding the slightly obscure carol to a great sound.

"In The Bleak Midwinter," another deep Christmas cut, matches The Choir's trademark melancholy vibe and captures the spirit of that Christmas rescue. "Away In A Manger" also feels right, mood-wise, here. The last two tracks of the EP lighten things up considerably, with Sixpence None The Richer's Leigh Nash trading couplets with Daugherty on the classic and decidedly lighter "Baby It's Cold Outside." "Peace, Love And Light," a Choir original, ends the EP on a hopeful note and, although it is a lighter tune, it still captures a poignant thought in its lyrics about "warriors laying down their arms to worship the child."

It's a testament to the quality offered here on Peace, Love and Light that five songs leave you wanting more. Another Christmas EP next year from these veterans would be a nice present indeed.

- Review date: 12/4/13, written by Alex "Tincan" Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com