After a two-year wait, Hillsong United is set to release its next studio project early 2013.

The album – titled ‘Zion’– is the group’s 12th full-length album and third studio recording. Production began in Sydney in March last year.

‘Zion’ follows the high impact of the 2011 release of ‘Aftermath’, which topped the charts internationally and has been their highest selling album to date.

Wes Jay from Woodlands Media says the new album has a fresh sound that’s noticeably different from previous projects.

‘Zion’ features 13 tracks, plus a deluxe version that includes two bonus songs, three remixed versions, and a video “Welcome to Zion”. The release is scheduled for late February.

We’ve seen her develop as a singer, author, actor, and now storyteller. The Aussie born singer Rebecca St James this week lends her voice to children as she brings new life to a beloved Christmas carol on the bonus CD that is part of a new picture book.

With singing and narration by St. James, The Friendly Beasts pays tribute to the traditional French medieval Christmas carol of the same name. Familiar to many, The Friendly Beasts tells the story of Jesus’ birth from the view of five whimsical animals – a cow, a sheep, a camel, a donkey and a dove. The book, with pictures and song lyrics, details how each animal contributed to the nativity by providing – among other items – a wool blanket and hay for a pillow.

The CD that accompanies the book in retail packaging includes four tracks performed by St. James. These include: a musical rendition of The Friendly Beasts, Shine Your Glory Down, Rebecca’s Christmas Memories, and a spoken narration of The Friendly Beasts.

With the book an already adored tale in many homes, St. James says it holds special meaning to her and she hopes to relay its wonderful message to young readers.

Cam Want has more details. Click here to listen:

To purchase a copy of The Friendly Beasts narrated by Rebecca St James online click here