Award-winning U.K. country artist Bee Smith reunites with Texas country singer Chris Chitsey for “Be Mary,” a moving Christian-country Christmas song created for anyone facing uncertainty, grief or loneliness during the holiday season.
Fresh from an award-winning collaboration, Bee Smith and Chris Chitsey are welcoming the Christmas season with a song centered on faith, courage and hope.
Their new Christian-country duet, “Be Mary,” is available now through Clinetel Nashville Records, with distribution by SONY/The Orchard. Produced by respected Nashville producer D. Scott Miller, the single finds the U.S. and U.K. artists exploring the extraordinary faith behind one of Christianity’s most familiar stories.
Listen to “Be Mary” by Chris Chitsey and Bee Smith
A Christmas Song for Life’s Uncertain Moments
Written by Thornton Cline and Sami Jo Furniss, “Be Mary” draws inspiration from the Biblical story of Mary and the courage it took for her to trust God without knowing exactly what the future would hold.
That theme gives the song meaning beyond the traditional images of decorated trees, family celebrations and cheerful Christmas gatherings. “Be Mary” speaks directly to listeners who may be entering the holiday season carrying grief, fear, loneliness or emotional exhaustion.
Its message is simple but powerful: faith does not require someone to have every answer.
Instead, the song encourages listeners to remain open to hope and love, even when circumstances feel confusing or the weight of the world becomes difficult to carry. By focusing on Mary’s courage, humility and trust, Smith and Chitsey offer a Christmas song that feels both spiritually grounded and relevant to modern life.
Crazy Women Country Review: “Be Mary”
“Be Mary” succeeds because it treats the Christmas story as more than a familiar holiday tradition. It pauses to consider the uncertainty behind the story—and the remarkable faith required to move forward when nothing appears to make sense.
Musically, the song leans into a traditional country character, supported by acoustic instrumentation, strings and a conversational duet arrangement. Chitsey and Smith share the song instead of competing for its emotional center. Their alternating vocals allow the message to unfold from two perspectives before the voices come together around the chorus.
Chitsey brings a grounded, seasoned country presence to the recording, while Smith’s expressive delivery adds warmth and emotional clarity. Her voice is particularly well suited to a song built around reassurance, vulnerability and quiet strength.
The production allows the lyrics and vocal performances to lead. That restraint is important. A song about faith during difficult circumstances does not need excessive drama; it needs honesty. “Be Mary” finds its emotional power in that honesty.
The result is a thoughtful Christian-country Christmas song for listeners who want more than seasonal nostalgia. It acknowledges that Christmas can be beautiful while also being complicated—and reminds those struggling through the season that hope is still possible.
Bee Smith Finds Personal Meaning in Mary’s Story
For Bee Smith, the heart of the song lies in the extraordinary faith behind the familiar Christmas story.
“What touched me most about ‘Be Mary’ is that it doesn’t simply tell the Christmas story—it asks us to think about the extraordinary faith behind it,” Smith shares.
She points to Mary’s willingness to face uncertainty with courage, humility and complete trust in God as a message that remains meaningful today.
“Christmas can be a beautiful season, but it can also be a difficult one for so many people,” Smith adds. “If this song can bring someone a little peace, strength or renewed faith when they need it most, then we’ve accomplished something truly special.”
That compassion is one of the song’s greatest strengths. “Be Mary” does not dismiss pain with an easy holiday message. Instead, it meets listeners in the middle of their uncertainty and offers a reminder that joy, purpose and faith can exist alongside imperfect circumstances.
Chris Chitsey Hopes the Song Reaches Those Who Are Struggling
For Chris Chitsey, the new release represents an opportunity to create something whose impact extends beyond charts and awards.
“‘Be Mary’ is about faith when you don’t have all the answers,” Chitsey explains. “Mary’s story reminds us that God can be working in our lives even when the circumstances in front of us don’t make sense.”
Chitsey says he hopes the song reaches listeners who may be struggling during Christmas and reminds them that they are never without hope.
That intention gives “Be Mary” the potential to connect with Christian-country audiences, families, churches and anyone looking for encouragement during a season that can bring a complicated mixture of joy and sadness.
An Award-Winning Country Partnership Continues
“Be Mary” follows the success of Smith and Chitsey’s previous duet, “Summer Before The Fall.”
The song earned Vocal Event of the Year at the 12th Annual Josie Music Awards, held at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. It was also nominated for Song of the Year, reached No. 1 on the World Indie Music Top 100 Chart and received the 2026 World Songwriting Award for Best Music Collaboration.
“Summer Before The Fall” introduced listeners to the vocal chemistry created by Smith’s contemporary U.K. country style and Chitsey’s Texas-rooted sound. While that release explored the emotional line between friendship and love, “Be Mary” reveals a more spiritual and reflective side of their musical partnership.
The change in subject matter also demonstrates the range of the collaboration. The two singers move naturally from a romantic country duet into a message-driven Christian Christmas song without losing the sincerity that made their first release connect with audiences.
Bee Smith’s Rise in U.K. and International Country Music
Bee Smith continues to emerge as a distinctive voice within modern U.K. country music.
Known for combining contemporary country influences, ’90s-country inspiration and heartfelt storytelling, Smith has built a growing audience on both sides of the Atlantic. Her music reflects a belief that country music should tell honest stories while giving listeners something real to carry with them.
Smith was named the 2025 International Singer-Songwriters Association International Female Songwriter of the Year and earned nine Josie Music Awards nominations across 2025 and 2026. She has also strengthened her connection to Nashville through her songwriting relationship and publishing agreement with Thornton Cline Music.
With “Be Mary,” Smith continues expanding her catalog while showing that her storytelling can move comfortably between love, personal reflection, spiritual encouragement and the timeless traditions of country music.
Learn more about the artist at BeeSmithMusic.com and follow Bee Smith on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Chris Chitsey Adds Another Chapter to a Decades-Long Career
Texas-born country artist Chris Chitsey brings more than three decades of recording and performing experience to the duet.
His career includes worldwide No. 1 studio singles across four different decades. Earlier in 2026, “Where Ya Been Girl,” written by Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip, became his 11th worldwide No. 1. Its accompanying video also received the 2026 International Singer-Songwriters Association GOLD Award for Music Video of the Year.
Chitsey’s established country voice provides a strong foundation for “Be Mary,” balancing Smith’s expressive performance and helping the song bridge traditional country, contemporary Christian music and seasonal programming.
Visit ChrisChitseyMusic.com for additional music and artist updates.
Listen to “Be Mary” This Christmas Season
“Be Mary” is a meaningful addition to this year’s country Christmas music. Its message will resonate most strongly with listeners who have ever entered the holidays without knowing what comes next.
The song does not promise that every struggle will disappear by Christmas morning. Instead, it offers something more enduring: an invitation to trust, remain open to love and believe that God may still be working—even when the road ahead is unclear.
“Be Mary” by Chris Chitsey and Bee Smith is available now across major digital and streaming platforms.
Listen, Save and Share
Add the song to your Christian-country or Christmas playlist, save it to your music library and share it with someone who could use a message of faith and hope this holiday season.
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