While Christmas is celebrated by a variety of people throughout the world, for Christians the focus of the holiday is on the birth of Christ. Many Christmas CDs focus on traditional carols such as “White Christmas” or “Let it Snow” and neglect to address the focus of the holiday. To help you and your family reflect on the “reason for the season,” many Christmas CDs by Christian artists offer songs with more of a religious focus while still mixing in some of the traditional favorites.
Michael W. Smith
This popular Christian artist has created multiple Christmas albums, any of which would be a welcome addition to your collection. His album “It’s a Wonderful Christmas” (2007) contains standard songs such as “What Child is This?” and other songs such as “Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah” and “Son of God.” Michael W. Smith’s “Christmas” (2005) offers his hit Christmas song “Gloria” and “Christmastime” (1998) contains more traditional Christmas songs such as “We Three Kings” and “O Christmas Tree.”
The Christmas Collection by Amy Grant
Amy Grant’s “The Christmas Collection” (2008) includes Grant’s popular version of “Grown-Up Christmas List,” mixed with more traditional carols such as “Sleigh Ride” and “Jingle Bells.” Grant offers an album with a pop and religious focus. Songs that help remind you of baby Jesus include “Breath of Heaven” and “Count Your Blessings Not Sheep.” Listeners will enjoy Grant’s mellow vocals and the beautiful instrumentals that accompany each song.
Mary Did You Know? 17 Inspirational Songs from Today’s Top Country Artists
Many country artists were raised in the South and surrounded by strong religious traditions. It’s fitting that this album of inspirational Christmas songs features country artists such as Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes, Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers. Songs include the popular Christian Christmas song “Mary Did You Know?” and traditional religious carols such as “Go Tell it On the Mountain,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “The First Noel.”
The Christmas Hope by Newsong
Newsong gained popularity with the Christmas hit “The Christmas Shoes” which is contained on their album “The Christmas Hope.” This CD offers traditional Christmas songs such as “Jingle Bell Rock” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” mixed in with songs that focus on Jesus, such as “The Christmas Blessing,” “The Song of Christmas” and “Jesus What a Wonderful Child.” Relax by the fire and Christmas tree while enjoying this CD.
Christmas Carols by Cedarmont Kids
For a Christmas CD that appeals to your children, look to “Christmas Carols” by Cedarmont Kids. This CD offers kid-friendly Christmas carols with simplistic instrumentals and children’s voices to make it easy for children to sing-along. Included on the CD are 30 different popular Christmas carols, including “Away in a Manger” and “The First Noel,” and lesser-known songs such as “Good Christian Men, Rejoice!” and “How Great Our Joy.”
Veggie Tales
For another child-friendly Christmas CD, look to Veggie Tales’ selection of Christmas CDs. “The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree” (2005) takes children through the story of a Christmas pageant mixed with traditional Christmas carols and original songs to help children understand the true meaning of Christmas. For a more traditional Christmas album, “25 Favorite Christmas Songs” (2009) contains popular Christmas carols such as “O Christmas Tree” and “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” mixed with a few Veggie Tales originals. Another offering from Veggie Tales is “A Very Veggie Christmas” (1998) full of Veggie Tales original songs such as “Oh Santa” and “The 8 Polish Foods of Christmas.”