A Norwalk man's original Christmas carol is gaining national recognition after winning the Welcome Christmas! Carol Contest.

Composers from across the country competed in the contest, but Clay Zambo walked away with the prize. He partnered with award-winning New York-based composer Scott Ethier. Zambo wrote the lyrics and Ethier focused on the music.

Zambo, musical director at Our Lady of Fatima in Wilton, wrote ?A Mother?s Carol? for the French horn. He says he?s looking forward to hearing feedback from parishioners.

Zambo says winning the contest has motivated him to write more songs. He says he's already working on lyrics to another carol.