Presence Music turns a family’s grief toward the hope of Christmas on “The Darkness Didn’t Know,” a new collaboration with Avenue Music and Joel Vaughn.

The song is being introduced to Christian radio ahead of its Nov. 6 digital release through NRT Music. Josh Lauritch of 55 Promotion is leading the national radio campaign.

Leah Monson Wrote From the First Days of Grief

Presence Music vocalist Leah Monson began writing “The Darkness Didn’t Know” three days after her brother died. Instead of separating Christmas from that loss, the song follows Jesus from Bethlehem to the cross and empty tomb.

That wider view of the Christmas story gives the title its meaning. Darkness could not understand or overcome the redemption God was bringing through Christ.

The song therefore offers more than a familiar seasonal celebration. It speaks directly to people entering Christmas while grieving someone they love.

That honesty continues a conversation running through Presence Music’s recent work. On “Fight or Flight,” Monson described reaching the point where her only prayer was, “Dear God, I’m not fine.”

Presence Music also joined SAPHIRE on “Mess of Mine,” a song about depression, anxiety and the pressure to hide personal struggles. “The Darkness Didn’t Know” brings that same willingness to acknowledge pain into the Christmas season.

Joel Vaughn produced the new recording, while Doug Weier mixed it. The collaboration also features Avenue Music.

The early radio campaign comes before Presence Music joins Mark Schultz and Britt Nicole for a nationwide Christmas tour scheduled for Dec. 3–20. The band plans to perform the new song during the tour.

Presence Music previously reached more than 100 radio stations with its KJ-52 collaboration “Down in the River.” The band was also among six NRT Music artists recently selected for Spotify’s Fresh Finds Forward program.

Pre-save Presence Music, Avenue Music and Joel Vaughn’s “The Darkness Didn’t Know.”