My Favorite 2009 Christmas Albums
I have an obsession with Christmas music. This should surprise no one.
I only mention it because I think that it gives me some credibility when I tell you that these are, in my view, the best Christmas albums released in 2009.
This album is a beautiful tapestry with creative arrangements of both standard carols and rarely-covered songs. Incredibly, it manages to "feel like Christmas" - while still sounding completely fresh. I have found myself listening to this in my car and in the background at work - and each time, something new jumps out.
Here's how the reviewer at ChristianityToday described it: "Re-imagining liturgical carols with every instrumental vice possible, the setlist plays like a medieval soundtrack, magically capturing the beautiful irony of the gospel story."
(Also, they get points because the title track is a remake of an amazing choral piece, which if you aren't familiar with it's background - I recommend reading up on it.)
They put out a worship album earlier this year (Come O Spirit) that's worth checking out, as well.
When I heard that Chris Tomlin was putting out a Christmas album, I was really hoping that it would be like this. It's a bit the opposite of the Bifrost album - in that it's simple and has a live feel. One of the great things about Christmas is singing together as a church family about this incredible Story; as you would expect, this album is perfect for that (transposed down, of course!).
Honorable Mention:
On the Incarnation - Daniel Renstrom
