This warm, hearty carol adds voices and texture with each verse to create a musical haven of welcome, trust and love. Verse 3’s flexible voicing allows low voices to shine on the melody. Verse 4’s doublings become even richer with an optional soaring descant. A collaboration with celebrated poet Michael Dennis Browne, the first line “Peace and Grace Be to This House” hangs on a plaque above the poet’s doorway. The lyrics challenge each of us to create a bigger container, widening the house (of self) to embrace more contraries and allow spaciousness of spirit. Abbie represents the third generation of Christmas carol composers in her family, beginning in the 1920s with her great-grandfather, then her great-uncle Alfred Burt. “Carol of the Stranger” premiered on Minnesota Public Radio in 2013, before being sent as a Christmas card to family and friends.