Three men with strong connections to Wildwood, New Jersey, have brought their talents together to create “The Carpenter’s Son,” a Christmas song based on the perspective of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus. The song is currently available on Spotify, Apple Music, among others.
Fr. Edward NamiotkaThe song was co-written by Fr. Edward Namiotka, beloved pastor of St. Thomas More of Cherry Hill, and Thomas Raniszewski, lifelong friends who grew up in the Wildwoods and both graduated from St. Ann Regional School and Wildwood Catholic High School.
Both men knew from the start that they wanted this song to have a different angle. Namiotka prayed on it and felt that the time was right to tell the perspective of St. Joseph at Jesus’ birth.
“Tommy and I both shared the desire to write a Christmas song and we went back and forth with what point of view we wanted to do–what story has never been told before?" Namiotka said. “We don’t often hear of St. Joseph’s role in the Christmas narrative, but he was right there - we see him in the stable scene.
Thomas Raniszewski“Everything in the song is accurate Biblically - it reflects what we know. Which is not much because, in scripture, St. Joseph is not a man of words,” Namiotka said. “But in thinking about his place in the birth of Christ, where he stood…you have to speculate a little bit.”
Initially, Raniszewski, who has a BA in music from Rowan University, hadn’t decided whether he wanted to write a carol or a hymn. Ultimately, the song is a combination, having been described as sounding like a contemporary Christian hymn to a French Christmas carol.
Namiotka and Raniszewski brought in Jonathan Delgado to produce the song. Delgado is the director of music and liturgy at Notre Dame del la Mer Parish, which oversees St. Ann Church in Wildwood, as well as Church of the Assumption in Wildwood Crest.
“I fell in love with the fact that it was about Joseph - we don’t hear enough about him,” said Delgado, who arranged the accompaniment for the recording. “I instantly loved the words and the melody. It captures so much of Joseph that had never been told in a Christmas song before.
“And they found this incredible tenor, Drew Seigla, to relay this wonderful story. The outcome really blew my mind.”
For Raniszewski, who still lives in the area, working with such talented artists who, coincidentally or not had such strong Wildwood connections, was inspiring.
“I truly believe that God put the three of us together for this purpose,” he said. "And it all started when Fr. Ed and I were discussing a song collaboration while dining at Pasta Pesto on Atlantic Avenue. It's so exciting that a new Christmas song being released worldwide has its roots in Wildwood.”
All revenue from song downloads will go to the South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal through the Diocese of Camden in New Jersey.
“The Carpenter’s Son” by Drew Seigla is available for purchase and play on all major services, including iTunes, Spotify, iHeart, YouTube, Apple Music, Pandora, and more.
