Lennox was planning on recording some carols, and hadn't written new material since 2007's Songs of Mass Destruction.

During recording the words "Universal Child" came into her mind and during a break, chords and a melody presented themselves.

The album is a collection of Lennox's interpretations of traditional festive songs such as "Silent Night" and "The First Noel", along with one new composition, "Universal Child", which was released as a download-only single on 13 October 2010.

Lennox had previously showcased the song on the American Idol Gives Back TV show in April 2010.

She sang "Universal Child"[3] and "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" from the album for the TNT special Christmas in Washington.