The holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas invite warm, thoughtful moments with family and friends. Fill the air with beautiful music, reminding you of the magnitude of God’s presence entering into this world.
Sara Groves: Joy of Every Longing Heart (Fair Trade Services)
The selections on Sara Groves’ Christmas release Joy of Every Longing Heart include songs that resonate from her childhood, but also presents a few originals that she hopes inspire the creation of new memories. Groves takes favorite classics and makes them her own with a breathless effort which allows listeners to rest and pause with anticipation. Adding a personalized touch to each rendition with beautiful musical liberties, Groves welcomes the listener and the season.
Phil Wickham: Christmas (Fair Trade Services)
Phil Wickham has proven time and time again that he knows how to lead people in worshiping their Lord and Savior. His Christmas album is no different. Instead of being another album that simply welcomes the Christmas season, he presents an album of worship through Christmas Hymns, classics and unique innovations. Worship with him through song, dance or simply marveling at the beauty of Jesus’ birth.
Lincoln Brewster: A Mostly Acoustic Christmas (Integrity Music)
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” turned into “I’ll Be Home to Record My Christmas Album” for Lincoln Brewster who releases his second Christmas project A Mostly Acoustic Christmas. Self-produced and recorded at home, Brewster crafted his album with family, friends and his two dogs. Though it’s recorded in an intimate setting, it resonates true to the character of the artist.
Highlands Worship: Shine Heaven’s Light: A Christmas EP (Fuel Music)
The expansive worship team of one of America’s largest churches – Birmingham, AL based Church of the Highlands – releases an energetic and riveting Christmas album recorded live at the church. The epic production features both new songs for Christmas worship as well as old classics. The classics, however, are re-vamped creating a tender yet contemporary vibe. The live recording event masterfully praised the coming of the Almighty with a full string orchestra, a booming choir and elaborate stage production.
Christy Nockels: The Thrill of Hope Renewed (Keeper’s Branch Records/The Fuel Music)
Back in 2016, Christy Nockels released a Christmas album full of seasonal favorites as well as intimate originals. Three years later, she releases The Thrill of Hope Renewed. It’s the same songs, but they sound completely new with Nockels thoughtful revamp. Most people claim that family is the most important part of their life, especially during the season of Christmas. Christy Nockels made this album a family affair. Her two girls join her on the song “Make Good Your Christmas Day” and her husband produced the album, which is simply the sweetest.
Songs of Thanksgiving: Simple Hymns (Venture3 Media)
Venture 3 Media has once again pulled together popular worship leaders and song writers to release various albums with updated classic hymns. This season, they theme is Thanksgiving. Each new recording in the Simple Hymns series combines classic Hymns with a fresh, modern interpretation. Some updates include additional lyrics to classic hymns. Updates also include new songs that have been written and recorded in a hymn-like style. All updates have been given an new sound that make the classics more applicable to today’s listeners.
