Written by: Kelly Meade (12/21/2020)
It’s hard to believe that it’s almost Christmas! We know this has been a difficult year for so many, but from our families here at TCE to yours, we pray you’ll be able to find hope this season and celebrate the birth of our Savior and the joy found in having a relationship with Him!
We wanted to showcase some of our favorite Christmas album releases from this year here in this special holiday music review!
Chris Tomlin – Miracle Of Love: Christmas Songs of Worship
Released: October 9, 2020
Highlights: With Miracle of Love: Christmas Songs of Worship, Chris Tomlin offers a collection of original songs as well as a couple of well-loved favorites. The title track, “Miracle Of Love” celebrates the birth of a baby and the joy it brings. “Christmas Day”, featuring We The Kingdom, shines a light on the reason for the season – that Jesus came to give the world an everlasting hope.”Noel”, performed by Lauren Daigle, acknowledges the significance of Jesus’ birth and encourages us to offer praise to Him.
Track Listing:
- Miracle of Love
- All the World Awaits (Hosanna)
- Christmas Day – feat. We The Kingdom
- His Name Is Wonderful
- Little Drummer Boy
- Hope of Israel
- Noel – feat. Lauren Daigle
Lynda Randle – White Christmas
Released: October 16, 2020
Highlights: Lynda Randle’s White Christmas features timeless holiday classics as well as two new tracks. Lynda’s unmistakable gospel vocals give each song a warmth in a way that only she can. Her emotion-filled rendition of “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” is not to be missed while other standouts include “Go Tell It On The Mountain” & “Winter Wonderland” where Lynda is joined by her brother, Newsboys member Michael Tait.
Track Listing:
- The Christmas Song
- White Christmas
- Do You Hear What I Hear?
- Little Drummer Boy
- Sweet Little Jesus Boy
- O Little Town Of Bethlehem
- Go Tell It On The Mountain – feat. Michael Tait
- The Lonliest Christmas
- Winter Wonderland – feat. Michael Tait
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
- Thank You Baby Jesus
Rend Collective – A Jolly Irish Christmas Vol. 2
Released: October 23, 2020
Highlights: Easily one of my favorite Christmas albums I’ve heard in recent years, A Jolly Irish Christmas Vol. 2 features an eclectic mix of classics & original tracks all performed in true Rend Collective fashion. The holiday fun of “Christmas In Killarney” is sure to lift your spirits. “Emmanuel You’re One Of Us”, featuring Ellie Holcomb is quite possibly the perfect song for Christmas 2020 as it notes the difficulties that many have experienced while reminding us that no matter what, we are never alone as our God is always with us. I also love the modern take on “Good King Wenceslas (Kindness)”, “In The Bleak Midwinter” and “Little Drummer Boy” where the band is joined by We Are Messengers for a high-energy rendition of this favorite. In addition to this full length project, at the beginning of December the band released an EP simply titled Christmas which has three tracks not included on the LP – “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (Rejoice Rejoice)” featuring Urban Rescue, “O Holy Night (O Night Devine)” & “O Come All Ye Faithful (Let Us Adore Him)”.
Track Listing:
- The First Noel
- Christmas In Killarney
- Little Drummer Boy – feat. We Are Messengers
- Silent Night (Be Still)
- Good King Wenceslas (Kindness)
- Today Is The Saviour’s Day
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Hallelujah) – feat. We The Kingdom
- A Restful Reprise
- In The Bleak Midwinter
- Emmanuel You’re One Of Us – feat. Ellie Holcomb
- We Three Kings (We’re Not Lost) – feat. Keith & Kristyn Getty
- Christmas Is All Around
Francesca Battistelli – This Christmas
Released: October 23, 2020
Highlights: On This Christmas, Francesca Battistelli blends fun, lighthearted tunes like “Marshmallow World”, “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” & new original “Carolin’” with meaningful messages of Christ’s birth in this collection’s standout track “Behold Him” as well as “Silent Night” & “Messiah”. As a whole, This Christmas feels nastolgic to listen to as it captures the sweet wonder & merriment of the season while not forgetting the importance of our Savior’s arrival to earth.
Track Listing:
- Silent Night
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- Sleigh Ride
- Behold Him
- Snowy Day
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
- December We’ll Remember
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Christmas Valentine
- This Christmas
- Carolin’
- Marshmallow World
- Messiah
- Messiah (Orchestral)
for King & Country – A Drummer Boy Christmas
Released: October 30, 2020
Highlights: A Drummer Boy Christmas was a highly anticipated release for fans this year. The brothers of for King & Country bring some of the most unique arrangements to long time favorites as well as new originals for this project. NeedToBreathe’s Bear Rineheart joins Joel & Luke on “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” making for an awesome collaboration. “The Carol Of Joseph (I Believe In You)” looks at the story of Jesus’ birth from Joseph’s perspective and the emotions that he may have felt as he contemplated raising the Son of God. Something in the way these tracks are presented & performed bring the messages within the lyrics to life with new light that speaks to your heart. While so many of us are tempted to shuffle our playlists, I encourage you to listen to this album from beginning to end and really experience it allowing the order of the songs & messages interspersed throughout to set in as you celebrate this season.
Track Listing:
- In The Bleak Midwinter (Prologue)
- Joy To The World
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. NEEDTOBREATHE)
- Won’t You Come
- Heavenly Hosts
- Silent Night
- A Christmas Monologue
- Little Drummer Boy
- The Carol Of Joseph (I Believe In You)
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Go Tell It On The Mountain (feat. Gabby Barrett)
- Angels We Have Heard On High
- In The Bleak Midwinter (Epilogue)
