Be Mary

Chris Chitsey, Bee Smith

Be Mary · 2026

Christmas music often centres on celebration, family traditions and nostalgia. Be Mary, the new collaboration between Chris Chitsey and Bee Smith, takes a more reflective approach, drawing on the biblical story of Mary to explore faith during uncertainty and the possibility of finding hope when life feels difficult. Written by Thornton Cline and Sami Jo Furniss, the song asks listeners to consider Mary's response to circumstances she could not fully understand. Its message focuses on trust, humility and remaining open to God's presence when events do not unfold as expected. Rather than presenting Christmas as an uncomplicated season of happiness, the song acknowledges that loneliness, grief and fear can accompany the holidays. Chitsey and Smith bring personal conviction to the song's spiritual themes. Chitsey describes Be Mary as a reminder that faith does not require having every answer, while Smith points to Mary's courage and willingness to trust despite uncertainty. Both artists hope the song offers reassurance to listeners who may be struggling during the Christmas season. The release follows a successful period for the American and British country artists. Their previous duet, Summer Before The Fall, reached number one on the World Indie Music Top 100 Chart and the European Indie Music Chart, according to the artists' press materials. The collaboration also received the 2026 World Songwriting Award for Best Music Collaboration, and the pair won Vocal Event of the Year at the 12th Annual Josie Music Awards. For Chitsey, the single adds to a career that has included worldwide number-one records across four decades. His Where Ya Been Girl became his eleventh worldwide number one, while its music video received the 2026 ISSA Gold Award for Music Video of the Year. Smith, a UK-born country singer and songwriter, was named the 2025 ISSA International Female Songwriter of the Year and has received multiple Josie Music Awards nominations. Although their earlier collaboration established their commercial and vocal partnership, Be Mary places the emphasis elsewhere. The song's purpose is less about celebrating professional achievements than offering a message to people facing a difficult season. Its central idea is that faith and hope can remain meaningful even when circumstances are far from perfect. Released through Clinetel Nashville Records, with worldwide distribution by Sony's The Orchard, Be Mary brings Christian storytelling into a contemporary country Christmas setting. For Chitsey and Smith, the collaboration continues their musical partnership while placing compassion, belief and reassurance at the heart of the holiday season.