Rediscovering your Belovedness Through a Song

Roxane Salonen offers a way to discover more intimacy with Jesus this Christmas through the gift of music — and one song in particular.

At some point in my mothering years, I walked out of mainstream everything, including Christian music. It’s not that I didn’t like it. I just got busy with other things, and worship music gave way to Catholic radio talk shows and podcasts.  

But I cannot escape the music that has permeated my life from my earliest days.  

My maternal great-grandmother once aspired to become a concert pianist. Our family’s historical home in Bismarck, North Dakota, where she plunked out her first piece, was designed around the grand piano. Her youngest son, my grandfather, could not read music well, but he glided his way over ebony and ivory like a master through mere feel.  

In college, I studied music as a minor and met my husband in concert choir. I’ve been involved in music ministry in either small groups or as a cantor for decades.   

However, despite my musical genes and years as a Catholic church musician, including a contemporary group, I missed prominent Catholic musical artist Sarah Kroger’s 2011 debut, and most of her songs between then and now.  

Late to be Blessed   

While at the National Eucharistic Revival in the summer of 2024, I finally caught up to this petite musician with the powerful pipes, and was thoroughly captivated. Though familiar with a few of the songs she performed at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, I was, for the most part, confronting something, and someone, new.   

I began following her on Instagram, and caught some of her tunes on Spotify, but had yet to find my way to the song I wish to highlight today, until recently.   

This “blessed confrontation” happened in late November when the John Paul II Healing Center put on an “Undone” retreat at my parish. All of the elements of the weekend came together for me in one very powerful moment when musician Danielle Noonan, part of the presenting team, played Sarah’s song, “Belovedness.”   

The experience opened a place in my heart that had become unreachable. As it ended, I hurriedly noted the title to keep it near. I wanted others who might be carrying an unhealed wound to be introduced to this potential tool to unlock that deep place in their hearts. The song has the potential to gently lead the soul safely to God’s healing heart.  

Advent, a Time of Healing  

Along with seeking the gift of music this Advent, I’ve also been going through Father Joel Sember’s book, Oriens 2025, designed to deepen our Advent experience. Father Joel has stressed that if we miss a day of the guided daily Scripture reading, it’s okay. The whole point of Oriens is to grow closer to Jesus, and if we are too focused on checking boxes, we might miss reaching that place of intimacy.   

We need this intimacy in order to heal and be whole, ultimately so that we can do the work God has called us to in our short time on earth.   

But it can seem impossible at times to reach this place of grace. We may need help finding a way in. Music has the potential to do just that, and it’s this gift I wish to give you this Christmas.   

With that, I invite you to curl up in your prayer corner sometime this week, and, on your phone or computer, open “Belovedness” — a song about reclaiming your worth in God’s eyes. This may seem like a silly suggestion, but I’d love to hear, if you try it, whether it blessed you as I suspect it might.  

All of Us, Children at Heart  

Christmas is just a few days away now, and Christmas music permeates the air. We will be treated to many favorites, like “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” They are worth returning to and can brighten our spirits, but I hope you’ll consider letting “Belovedness” into your repertoire as well this Christmas to help reach a deeper place of abiding with our Lord.   

Returning to our core identity of “Child of God” is crucial for our healing and thriving. We all have places of hardness and hurt, and I believe “Belovedness” can be a conduit for breaking the chains to let our Lord claim our hearts more fully.  

The Baby in the manger beckons. His presence heals. His love permeates the darkest situation. His life brings light.   

This song has been remade several different times, including as a lullaby and even a book. I believe there’s a reason Sarah and her team have kept this song in circulation. It is meant to be a gift. 

I’d share the lyrics, but I don’t want to tread on the unique experience God may have planned for you. I hope the discovery, or rediscovery, of your “Belovedness” can bring you more assuredly into intimacy with Jesus, the Christ, who came to rescue, and heal, us all.  

Merry Christmas! 

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Copyright 2025 Roxane Salonen
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