It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas, thanks to a new crop of holiday releases from Christian music artists and groups. Tailored to listeners of praise and worship, contemporary gospel, country, pop, and contemporary Christian, the Birth of Christ continues to inspire music that touches the heart and soul.
Here’s a sampling of the new albums available for this year’s holiday celebrations.
“The Greatest Gift” by Anthony Evans
Ring in the holiday season with a new Christmas music collection from renowned Gospel artist, producer, performer, philanthropist, and author Anthony Evans. His new album, “The Greatest Gift,” released last month. The nine-track album features new arrangements of holiday classics and original songs he wrote and produced for major network features.
“Throughout the last few years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to write, produce, and arrange songs for major network Christmas films,” shares Anthony Evans. “It was working on those songs that spurred the idea to make my own Christmas album and incorporate new arrangements of some of my all-time favorites along with a few fun originals.”
Produced by Evans, Darrel Walls and Max Stark, The Greatest Gift showcases Evan’s incredible vocals on songs like “Joy To The World” and “Mary Did You Know” as well as his original works “My Holiday” and “He is” as a powerful choir backs him.
He added, “Some of my most favorite memories include the holidays and the music associated with them. I hope that this album brings joy to whoever is listening as well as reminds them that through the birth of our Savior, we truly have been given ‘The Greatest Gift’.”
The track listing:
- The Greatest Gift + Joy To The World
- He Is
- We Wish You A Merry Christmas + Go Tell It On The Mountain
- Angels We Have Heard On High
- My Holiday
- Hark The Herald Angels
- What Child Is This
- Oh come Let Us Adore Him
- Mary Did You Know
“It’s All About You” by Influence Music
Worship group Influence Music released its first full-length Christmas album, “It’s All About You” this month. This holiday collection was created with the global church in mind, offering fresh arrangements of classic Christmas songs.
“’It’s All About You’ was born from our team’s desire to bring something fresh musically and lyrically to our church this Christmas season,” shares Melody Noel. “We wanted to tell the Christmas story uniquely and powerfully. We pray this music adds life and joy to this beautiful season.”
The track listing:
- Won’t Be A Silent Night
- First Noel (It’s All About You)
- Prince of Heaven
- O Come All Ye Faithful (His Name Shall Be)
- Influence Christmas Medley
- The Day That Christmas Came feat. Harvest Worship
- Oh Holy Night (Live)
- Christmas Medley (Live)
- The Day That Christmas Came (Acoustic)
“A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE)” by for KING + COUNTRY
for KING + COUNTRY’s Joel and Luke Smallbone rings in the 2024 holiday season with a live collection of their beloved Christmas show delivered straight to fans. “A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE)” captures the joy, the wonder and the pageantry of their seasonal tour that has become an annual tradition for the duo capped by their signature rendition of “Little Drummer Boy.”
The new album coincides with the recently announced Fathom Theatrical Concert Event, “A DRUMMER BOY CHRISTMAS,” which will be in theaters nationwide for the first time ever from December 5-9. The highly-anticipated holiday concert spectacle will b
e available for families around the country to see in theaters during this limited engagement. The duo will also be embarking on nine select 2024 performances for its “A DRUMMER BOY CHRISTMAS |THE 2024 TOUR EXPERIENCE” in the U.S. and the U.K. from December 1–20.
The track listing:
- In The Bleak Midwinter
- Joy To The World
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- Won’t You Come
- Baby Boy
- Glorious
- Angels We Have Heard On High
- Go Tell It On The Mountain (feat. Gabby Barrett)
- Do You Hear What I Hear?
- For God Is With Us
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Silent Night
- Heavenly Hosts
- A Christmas Monologue
- Little Drummer Boy
“Christmas Morning” by Paul and Hannah McClure
Bethel Music singer/songwriters and worship leaders Paul and Hannah McClure, announce the re-release of their acclaimed 2020 holiday album “Christmas Morning.” Available now on all streaming platforms, this updated edition features new live recordings that enrich the original album, providing both longtime fans and new listeners an opportunity for deeper engagement and worship.
The 11-track collection includes original selections co-penned by Paul and Hannah, as well as a handful of beloved Christmas favorites. “Adore Him (Live at Bethel),” led by Paul, is a beautiful expression of praise and thanksgiving, encouraging listeners to focus on the worthiness of Jesus and appreciate the profound significance of His birth. Meanwhile, Paul and Hannah breathe new life into the classic hymn, “O Holy Night (Live at Bethel),” blending traditional lyrics with a fresh worship-filled bridge, instilling hope and anticipation for the momentous occasion of our Savior’s birth.
“Every child’s excited for Christmas morning, and that’s what we get in relation to the Gospel as believers,” says Paul and Hannah. “Every day is Christmas morning living in the reality of Jesus and what He’s done for us. I think this song captures what we wanted to talk about—the Rescuer coming to save us at Christmas.”
The track listing:
- Christmas Morning
- Heart Sings Hallelujah
- Adore Him
- Heaven Is Here
- O Holy Night
- High King of Heaven / Jesus We Love You
- Heart Sings Hallelujah / Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Live at Bethel)
- Heaven Is Here / Joy To The World (Live at Bethel)
- Adore Him (Live at Bethel)
- O Holy Night (Live at Bethel)
- High King of Heaven / Jesus We Love You (Live at Bethel)
“Wake Up It’s Christmas” by Tasha Layton
BEC Recordings’ Tasha Layton will release a new holiday EP on November 15th featuring the brand-new song and title track “Wake Up Its Christmas.” The EP will also feature four additional songs including her song “Diddly Squat” which has made its way onto thousands of playlists.
Layton’s holiday catalog is a classic big-band, jazz, and pop collection that comes back year after year. Her holiday music has more than 15 million holiday streams and is featured on Spotify’s playlists such as Christmas Jazz, Women of Christmas, Merry & Bright, Feel Good Christmas, and Christmas Spirit.
The track listing:
- Wake Up It’s Christmas
- Hang Up Your Stockin’
- Diddly Squat
- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
“Joyful, Joyful: A Christmas Album” by CeCe Winans
CeCe Winans continues to share her musical gift with the world, embarking on a nearly sold-out Christmas tour beginning December 4th in Reading, PA. In tandem with the tour, Winans is releasing new Christmas music under the title “Joyful, Joyful: A Christmas Album,” a reimagined and expanded version of her previous holiday release, “Something’s Happening!”
Known for her timeless voice and heartfelt performances, CeCe brings her signature warmth and soul to a collection of classic holiday favorites and original songs that are sure to become part of your holiday tradition.
“Christmas is such a special time, and I wanted this music to capture the joy, love, and hope the season brings. I hope these songs remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas and fill their hearts with peace and celebration,” Winans said.
The track listing:
- Joy To The World
- Angels We Have Heard on High (Joyful, Joyful)
- It’s Christmas
- This World Will Never Be The Same
- Giving Season
- The Grace of The Father
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day
- Feliz Navidad/O Holy Night
“Go Tell It” by Sunday Service Choir
The GRAMMY-nominated Sunday Service Choir returns to spread holiday cheer with their brand new EP, “Go Tell It.” The project features seven dynamic and soul-stirring renditions of classic Christmas songs. It is now available on all streaming platforms, the release marks the choir’s latest musical offering as they continue their mission to inspire through music.
The track listing:
- Go Tell It
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- Favorite Things
- Oh Come Emmanuel
- Oh Come All Ye Faithful
- What Child Is This/Carol Of The Bells
- Oh What Gift
“Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas),” by We Are Messengers
Curb Records recording artist We Are Messengers brings tidings of good news and great joy with their version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” now available.
Sticking to a traditional arrangement of the beloved carol, the group injects flavors of lead singer Darren Mulligan’s native Ireland into the celebratory selection. Accented by tribal beats, fiddle and mandolin, Mulligan jubilantly proclaims the birth of Christ by way of this timeless classic. Additionally, his wife, Heidi, provides background vocals. The release heralds We Are Messengers’ upcoming holiday EP, “Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas),” a five-song collection released Nov. 15, 2024.
“When I Think of Christmas” by Amy Grant and Vince Gill
The new compilation” When I Think Of Christmas” is a treasury of seasonal songs from Vince Gill and Amy Grant that captures the spirit of their much-loved “Christmas at the Ryman” concerts. Now available MCA Nashville, the album contains remastered versions of nine of the duo’s Yuletide favorites, plus two new recordings.
One of the most successful residencies in the history of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium (famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry), Gill and Grant’s “Christmas at the Ryman” has presented over 100 shows in front of nearly a quarter-million people. This year’s series will run from November 29 through December 21.
In addition to the digital and CD availability of “When I Think Of Christmas,” the album is available in green vinyl. A limited-edition red vinyl will be sold exclusively at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and the Official Artist Store.
Although it’s difficult to limit the number of treasured Christmas songs Grant and Gill are legendary for, they have selected nine previously released tracks including Grant’s “Tennessee Christmas” and “Breath of Heaven,” which was originally recorded on her Home for Christmas ranked in Billboard’s Top 25 greatest holiday albums of all time, and Gill’s “O Holy Night” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Additionally, there are two new recordings, including Grant’s version of the album’s title track and “Til the Season Comes Round Again,” a Grant/Gill duet.’
“Christmas Music is a portal to wonder and awe, to nostalgia and ‘remember when,’ to hope and how-we-wish-it-could-be,” says Grant. “And because we return to the same playlists year after year, those songs have become the backdrop for our collective memories of gathering, of family, of gift giving, of celebration and solitude. I’ve recorded a lot of Christmas music over the years, and I’m excited to add two new songs to this collection, especially the song Vince and I close our Christmas concerts with, ‘‘Til The Season Comes Round Again.’ I hope these new songs find a place on playlists, whether it’s during the holiday season or all year ‘round.”
Both Grant and Gill have sold millions of copies of their respective Christmas albums, and have performed some of the season’s most beloved classics from the stage of the Ryman.
The track listing:
- When I Think of Christmas – Amy Grant
- The Christmas Song – Vince Gill
- Winter Wonderland – Amy Grant
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Vince Gill
- It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – Amy Grant
- Do You Hear What I Hear – Vince Gill
- Tennessee Christmas – Amy Grant
- O Come All Ye Faithful – Vince Gill
- Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song) – Amy Grant
- O Holy Night – Vince Gill
- ‘Til The Season Comes Round Again – Amy Grant & Vince Gill
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