Christmas Music Part 4: Albums 16-20

16. Bebo Norman ~ Christmas: From the Realms of Glory Bebo Norman entered the Christian music scene a few years ago, and this is his requisite Christmas album. His take on classic Christmas carols, like Joy to the World and O Come, O Come Emmanuel are nice, but where he really shines is on his original songs. Christmas Time Is Here is sung as a duet with Amy Grant and is a happy song ushering in the holiday season. Born to Die and Mary’s Prayer are both about Jesus and what he did for us. Also worth noting is his cover of Jackson Browne’s Rebel Jesus. I think everyone can relate to this song in some way. If you’ve never heard it, look it up.

17. Jars of Clay ~ Christmas Songs I’ve been a fan of Jars of Clay since I was a teenager, so I was excited when they finally came out with a full length Christmas album about three years ago. It’s not a typical Christmas album as it is fairly low key, and not overflowing with the sounds of jingle bells and ho ho hos. But that’s ok. I like it anyway. My favorites are their cover of Wonderful Christmastime, their original song Hibernation Day, and Love Came Down at Christmas.

18. Kristin Chenoweth ~ A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas When Kristin Chenoweth first appeared on the scene, I wasn’t too impressed. Then I saw her in a production of Candide and realized that she really did have a great talent - I just wish she would use her full voice more. On her Christmas album, she sings about half of the songs in her Munchkin voice (maybe she spent too much time on the set of Wicked?), and the other half in her fuller, prettier voice. I love her versions of Do You Hear What I Hear?, What Child is This?, and Home On Christmas Day. She also gets bonus points for singing Christmas Island.

19. Michael W. Smith ~ Christmastime I really enjoy this cd, but I have to be in the right kind of mood when I listen. Even though it is fairly upbeat, something about it makes me really melancholy, and I don’t like to be that way during the holidays. It is beautifully arranged and orchestrated with choirs and special guests and about half way through there is a wonderful duet with Michael and Sandy Patty singing The Christmas Waltz. That song alone is worth the price of the cd. It also features Chris Rice’s Welcome to Our World.

20. John Denver and the Muppets ~ A Christmas Together Finally, no Christmas is complete without a visit from the Muppets and John Denver. You can usually find this one in the five dollar bargain bin at Wal-Mart, and if you don’t have it in your collection, I recommend you go out and buy it NOW. It’s so much fun, with The Twelve Days of Christmas, and Christmas is Coming, and When the River Meets the Sea, and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and well, you get the picture. The whole thing is fun. I've heard that this was originally a T.V. special, but I’ve never seen it. Hopefully, someday I will. Until then, I’m content with just listening to the cd.

So there you have it. Twenty great Christmas cds from my collection and my favorites, at least for this week. I hope you are now inspired to dust off your Christmas music and start listening!