Rebecca was born in Sydney, Australia, to David and Helen Smallbone. She is the oldest of seven children, and currently lives in Los Angeles with Jacob. Rebecca took the name St. James from her grandmother, as it was her maiden name. Her album ‘’God’’ was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995. Also, ‘’Pray ‘’ was certified Gold by the RIAA on the last week of September 1999.
Rebecca's musical career began in 1990 at age 13 when she began opening shows for CCM (Christian Contemporary Music) artist Carman during his Australian tour which was promoted by her father's company, David Smallbone Promotions. That same year she recorded her first album, Refresh My Heart. In 1991 she moved to the United States upon signing with ForeFront Records, and took her stage name at the label's request.
In 1999 Rebecca received a Grammy Award for her album ''Pray'' in the Best Rock Gospel Album category. Rebecca is the eighth Australian artist or group to win a Grammy Award.
In 2003 she played the part of Maggie (Mary Magdalene) in the !HERO rock opera.
Rebecca is an open supporter of teenage sexual abstinence, and has become an unofficial spokesperson for True Love Waits. The single "Wait for Me", from her 2000 album Transform, encourages waiting to have sex until after marriage. Later that year it also became the title and focus of a 46-city tour. James wrote the song herself on a tour bus, and it became instantly popular. The song was also used on the TV program The O.C. Rebecca's first book, titled Wait for Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance, was published in 2002 and further addressed the issue.
In November of 2005, Rebecca released her highly anticipated album If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something. After not putting out a new pop/rock album since 2000, this album combines Rebecca's overall versatility in vocal and song writing to the finest degree.
Rebecca sang a song on the 2005 soundtrack, Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia called "Lion" for which she won a Dove Award.
A Special Edition of If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something was released in November 2006 and included two acoustic tracks and other special features.
In 2007. Rebecca released her live CD\DVD aLIVE In Florida featuring some of her No. 1 hits as well as fan favorites.
In 2008, two compilation albums, The Ultimate Collection (Double Disc) and Greatest Hits featuring some of her biggest hits were released. The same year she also released a new book called Pure: A 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, Body, & Spirit which broke into Top 10 at #9 on the CBA bestseller's list in Feb 2009. Pure is also nominated among the Top 3 books of 2009 for the youth/teen market.
The September 09' release of Loved, (Hachette/Faithwords) and the fall national film release of Sarah’s Choice capped 2009 as one of Rebecca’s most creatively diverse years.
Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Rebecca St. James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They made You be born in a manger.
Sweet little Holy child,
We didn't know who You were.
Sweet little Jesus boy,
They made You be born in a manger.
Sweet little Holy child,
We didn't know who You were.
Didn't know You'd come to save us Lord.
To take our sins away.
Our eyes were blind we could not see.
We didn't know who You were.
We didn't know who You were.
Long time ago You were born,
Born in a manger low sweet little Jesus boy.
The world treats You mean Lord,
Treats me mean too.
But that's how things are down here.
We don't know who You are.
We don't know who You are.
We don't know who You are.
We don't know who You are.
You have told us how, we are trying.
Master, You have shown us how even when you were dying.
Just seem like we can't do right.
Look how we treated You.
But please, Sir, forgive us Lord.
We didn't know it was You.
We didn't know it was You.
Sweet Little Jesus boy born a long time ago,
Sweet little Holy child,
We didn't know who You were.
The song "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" is a beautiful depiction of the birth of Jesus Christ and acknowledges the humility and love that surrounded his coming. The lyrics proclaim the fact that Jesus was born in a manger, in the form of a sweet little holy child, but at the time no one realized who he really was. The song goes on to describe how Jesus came to save us and take our sins away, but at the time people were blind and did not know who he was. The world treated him mean, just as it does to us, without realizing that it was our Lord and Savior they were mistreating.
The lyrics are powerful and serve as a reminder of the humbleness and love of Jesus Christ. The repetition of the phrase "We didn't know who You were" reinforces the fact that when Jesus arrived on earth, people did not know who he was or the significance of his coming. The song brings to light how even though Jesus was treated badly, he still showed love and forgiveness to all, just as he continues to do for us today.
Overall, "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" is a beautiful song that reminds us of the birth of Jesus, the true meaning of Christmas, and the love and forgiveness that come with it. This song reminds us that Jesus came to save us and show us the way, even when we do not know who he is.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet little Jesus boy,
Addressing the infant Jesus with admiration
They made You be born in a manger.
Jesus was born in a humble place
Sweet little Holy child,
A term of endearment for the infant Jesus
We didn't know who You were.
The significance of Jesus was initially lost on people
We didn't know who You were.
The full extent of Jesus' mission was not initially understood
Didn't know You'd come to save us Lord.
People did not initially realize the salvific nature of Jesus' coming
To take our sins away.
Jesus' mission was to absolve humanity of sin
Our eyes were blind we could not see.
Metaphorical blindness prevented people from understanding the true nature of Jesus
Long time ago You were born,
Acknowledgement of the historical context of Jesus' birth
Born in a manger low sweet little Jesus boy.
The humble circumstances of Jesus' birth
The world treats You mean Lord,
The singer recognizes the unfair treatment Jesus endured
Treats me mean too.
The artist identifies with Jesus' plight
But that's how things are down here.
Acknowledging the fallen nature of the world
We don't know who You are.
Reiterating the initial lack of understanding people had of Jesus
You have told us how, we are trying.
Acknowledging the teachings of Jesus and trying to live by them
Master, You have shown us how even when you were dying.
Remembering the example of Jesus' selflessness even in death
Just seem like we can't do right.
Expressing a desire to be better but feeling incapable
Look how we treated You.
Reflecting on the poor treatment of Jesus and acknowledging guilt
But please, Sir, forgive us Lord.
Asking for divine forgiveness
We didn't know it was You.
Asking for forgiveness due to initial lack of understanding of Jesus' identity and mission
Sweet Little Jesus boy born a long time ago,
Returning to the initial admiration for Jesus' birth
Sweet little Holy child,
Reiterating affection for the infant Jesus
We didn't know who You were.
Final declaration of the lack of initial understanding of Jesus' importance
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: Mark Hall, Bernhard Herms
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind