Now you KNEW I would not let Christmas go by without a song by Perry Como!

To my way of thinking, Perry was the quintessential singer of the 20th century. Most are familiar only with his smooth, dream-like quality to singing which characterized his popular songs. But he could belt them out with the best of them too, full voice. In the 50s, however, his producer convinced him to go with his natural talent and avoid trying to oversing.

Here is Perry in one of his best, a perfect example of what his producer was getting at, in this familiar Christmas hymn all over the world, in thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary for giving birth to the Savior of all the world.

As one writer put it, Perry doesn't just sing this hymn. He prays it.