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ChristMASS 2019: 20 Worshippers Worshipping

These albums and artists will remind you of the reason for the season.

Maybe you’re religious. Maybe you’re spiritual. Or maybe you’re a non-believer like me. Either way, you can still appreciate the reason for the season — and the Christian and gospel sounds of the artists and albums below. Can I get an Amen? No? OK, fair enough.


Phil Wickham
Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE:Phil Wickham welcomes the winter season with a winsome flurry of worship and praise! Features Hark, the Herald Angels Sing; The Christmas Waltz; Joy to the World (Joyful, Joyful); What Child Is This; Away in a Manger (Forever Amen); Face of God; We Wish You (A Merry, Peaceful, Wonderful Christmas); the title track; and more.”


The McCrary Sisters
A Very McCrary Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE:A Very McCrary Christmas, the first holiday album by celebrated gospel quartet The McCrary Sisters, is a stunning collection of 13 sacred songs – 12 traditional hymns and one new composition – featuring arrangements that reflect the quartet’s soulful Southern roots. The album features guest appearances by Pastor Shirley Caesar, Steve Crawford, Jerry Douglas, Alison Krauss, Buddy Miller, and Keb’ Mo’. The McCrary Sisters can be heard individually throughout the songs, yet it’s the power of all four voices together that makes the album shine.”


Danny Gokey
The Greatest Gift

THE PRESS RELEASE:Danny Gokey sends you Christmas wishes with a mix of classic and original songs! Includes Angels We Have Heard on High, Until You, Silent Night (with Kari Jobe), The Holidays Are Here, Christmas Night, Joy to the World, The Prayer (with Natalie Grant), O Come Let Us Adore Him, Noche De Paz (with David Archuleta), and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.


The Erwins
What Christmas Really Means

THE PRESS RELEASE: “Journey to the heart of Christmas and hear the story of Jesus‘ birth unfold in song! From the foretelling of the Messiah (His Name Shall Be Called) and the Christ Child’s coming (Ordinary Baby) to the angels’ celebration (Joy to the World) and the magi’s visit (Give Me a Star), The Erwins paint a sonic portrait of What Christmas Really Means.”


Sandra McCracken
Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE:Sandra McCracken’s Christmas album was recorded in the kitchen of a studio with some close friends, gathered in invitation and community to pause, sing, and rejoice in celebration of the sacred Christmas story… the coming of the light of the world, the prince of peace, the hope of all nations, our Savior and King, Jesus! Sandra says, “I’ve always loved Christmas music, but making a Christmas album always felt a bit out of reach for me since my favorite Christmas albums are so timeless and the carols are so universal. I’ve been thinking about it for a few years; especially since my trip to Israel a couple summers ago, where I visited the birthplace of Jesus and the shepherd’s field near Bethany. Once we finally got the songs together, I decided I didn’t need to overthink it. I wanted to enjoy the process… to sing e sacred story of Jesus birth. As people listen to this record, I want them to feel invited into the room with us, like they were present when we recorded it, and moreover that this sonic welcome would be a deeper experience of knowing and believing that we are all invited into the story of Jesus’ birth. We still need the light of Jesus to break into our darkness in our lives. Sometimes we need familiar melodies to remind us that we have a place where we belong… that in the broken places, in the waiting, in the hoping, we are not alone! God has come to dwell with us. Emmanuel… God with us!”


Lincoln Brewster
A Mostly Acoustic Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE: “Join worship auteur and guitar great Lincoln Brewster for A Mostly Acoustic Christmas! This eleven song set melds bluesy and jazzy styles on classics like I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Linus & Lucy, The Little Drummer Boy, and more.”


Christy Nockels
The Thrill of Hope Renewed

THE PRESS RELEASE: “Veteran worship leader and songwriter extraordinaire Christy Nockels offers an exceptional collection for the Christmas season. The Thrill Of Hope Renewed blends original songs with new takes on familiar favorites and holiday classics, including O Come O Come Emmanuel, Advent Hymn, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Amaryllis, and more.”


David & Nicole Binion
Dwell: Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE: “Following their critically-acclaimed Dwell live worship album, worship duo David & Nicole Binion return to the stage for an eleven song Christmas celebration. Dwell: Christmas features guest appearances from William McDowell, Steffany Gretzinger, Daniel Johnson, MDSN, and the Potter’s House Choir.”


Salt of the Sound
And On Earth, Peace

THE PRESS RELEASE:And on Earth, Peace is the new Christmas-themed release from critically acclaimed husband and wife duo Salt of the Sound (Anita & Ben Tatlow). And on Earth, Peace invites the listener to encounter the Christmas message of hope and peace in the context of contemporary city life. Using samples and sounds recorded in Hong Kong, the city where Anita & Ben are based, this release is an evolution of the duo’s sound and aims to breathe new life into ancient and modern Christmas music.”


Jars of Clay & Shel
A Family Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE:Jars of Clay just announced a 6-song Christmas EP they recorded with all-girl mainstream act, Shel. This marks the band’s first release of all-new recordings since 2013’s Inland. “We are excited to announce that we recorded a 6 song Christmas EP in collaboration with our favorites, Shel! Releasing in November, we can’t wait for you to hear some A Family Christmas!”


Randy Bonifield
Songs of Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE: “Produced by Christ Community Church in Leawood, Kansas, Songs of Christmas celebrates the music of a season celebrating the birth of Jesus – the Word of God – and the hope He brings to all who believe.”


The Collingsworth Family
A True Family Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE: “With warm, nostalgic harmonies and compelling arrangements, the Collingsworths remind you that the season is all about family — and Christ! Features Isn’t That Why He Came?; Angels We Have Heard on High; I Call Him Lord; We Do Christmas Like We Mean It; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas; Mary, Did You Know? and more.”


Brian Doerksen
The Heart of Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE: “What is the heart of Christmas? The songs on my first Christmas album are my reply; not complete nor conclusive but for now, I’m content with my response. In the mess and magic of our ordinary lives, God is with all of us. I grew up in a family of faith hearing the Christmas story every year. In the house where I was a child, the same home where Joyce and I also raised our six, we retold the Christmas story every year. Perhaps a little implausible, impossible even, the Christmas story is also incredibly and astonishingly true. Whispers of grace make the mightiest empires give way. Love is real and that love keeps moving hearts and changing lives. This is why all over the world we keep on singing songs of adoration to the One who came, born in the dust and dirt of humble, human circumstances to show us what God is really like.”


Sara Groves
Joy of Every Longing Heart

THE PRESS RELEASE: “Remember enjoying the aroma of freshly baked cookies, gazing in wonder at twinkling lights, and snuggling in bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in your head? Evoking warm memories of Christmases past, Sara sprinkles her release with new songs and holiday favorites, including Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus; Just Like They Said; Angels from the Realms of Glory; and more.”


Plumb
Behold & It’s Christmastime

THE PRESS RELEASE:Plumb is excited for the new festive season to begin with her new EP, Behold written with Jarrod Morris and Christa Wells. When Plumb talks about the story behind Behold she explains, “Behold is the angel speaking to us, telling us what you have been anticipating has come. Here is your King.” Plumb is also thrilled to announce her new EP It’s Christmastime where Plumb wishes to bring all the nostalgic feelings of Christmas to life.”


Future of Forestry
Light Has Come: Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE: “I am proud to release the new album Light Has Come. Four of the songs on this album are brand new original Christmas songs! I wrote and arranged these Christmas songs with a desire to capture two main concepts: beauty and mystery. The beauty and mystery of Christmas are very personal experiences for me, so writing and arranging these songs was purely enjoyable. My hope is that through music we can share God’s beautiful and mysterious gift of of this season together.”


Nathan Angelo
Season For You

THE PRESS RELEASE: “My brand new Christmas EP Season for You is out!! It is available everywhere you listen to music. I’m excited to share this project with you, and I hope it helps you get into the holiday spirit. Merry (early) Christmas!!”


Calee Reed
Rejoice!

THE PRESS RELEASE:Calee Reed set out to create a Christmas album that celebrates the two things most important to her about Christmas: a Christ-centered holiday and a joyful feeing of celebration. She accomplishes both goals weith this unforgettable collection of Christmas favorites.”


Brent Jones & JDI Christmas
The Soul of Christmas

THE PRESS RELEASE: “Gospel great Brent Jones joins the JDI music roster for a soulful Gospel Christmas celebration! Includes the powerful title track The Soul Of Christmas alongside a stirring set of seasonal favorites.”


Sally Sappington
On This Christmas Night

THE PRESS RELEASE: “My On This Christmas Night EP with six original songs is out wherever you listen! And if you feel like you’re not ready for Christmas music yet, it’s not ture. You are and you just don’t know it yet!! Add these songs to your Christmas playlist!”

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