Popular Christian vocalist Jaci Velasquez will release a three-track Christmas/New Year’s EP titled “Open House” next month, announced her record label, A’postrophe Records.

The EP, to be released Oct. 30, includes well-known Christmas song “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”, an original Christmas song titled “Quiet Christmas Night,” and also a Velasquez version of “Auld Lang Syne” – the popular New Year’s song.

“I haven’t released a Christmas album since 2001 and with so many great things happening in my life - a husband I love and a new baby on the way - I thought of no better way to celebrate my favorite holiday that to share a few of my favorite Christmas songs,” Velasquez exclaimed.

The 27-year-old songstress, who last December married Nic Gonzales from Christian band Salvador, is expecting her first child, a boy, this November.

“This has been a great year!” exclaimed the proud parents-to-be, in a released statement. “2007 promises to be even better with the arrival of our first child. We’re thrilled and already feel creatively inspired by our son.”

Velasquez is also featured in a brand new recording titled “Loved By You” on Max Lucado’s “3:16 - Songs of Hope” CD, which was released last week.

Follow us

The album is a companion CD to the new book from New York Times best-selling author Lucado.

In addition to featuring Velasquez’s brand new recording, “Loved By You,” the album also includes the contributionis of award-winning recording artists Third Day, Alison Krauss, Michael W Smith, Chris Tomlin, and many more – all of whom shared musical tributes to the message of John 3:16 for the album.

Velasquez’s “Loved By You,” meanwhile, continues to gain momentum in Christian radio and the bonus DVD will feature highlights of the songstress in the studio as she recorded the song.

Velasquez is currently finishing up the recording of her new studio record, which will release on A'postrophe Records/Word Distribution on Mar. 18, 2008.

On the Web: More information at www.jacivelasquez.com.