I hear those six words at least a dozen times every November. This year, I heard them from my classmate on the first day of November when my professor threatened to turn on some holiday music.
And, to tell you the truth, I'm a bit conflicted. Part of me believes that as soon as the leaves fall and the sun begins to set around 5 p.m., it's time to turn on the Christmas music. That was the self-imposed rule I lived by for a long time, but now that I live in sunny San Diego, it doesn't feel quite right to turn on Christmas music just yet.
But whether we feel ready or not, Christmas is just around the corner. Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and before we know it, December 25 will be upon us. Many Christian artists are celebrating the holiday season early, with most new Christmas albums already released.
From Phil Wickham to Hannah Kerr, these artists are ready to put us in the Christmas spirit. Here's a list of new holiday releases you'll want to add to your seasonal playlists.
Phil Wickham - Hallelujah! It's Christmas!
Contemporary artist Phil Wickham is back with his fourth holiday album, Hallelujah! It's Christmas! The fifteen-track album is a journey through Christmas music, both new and old, held together by the central theme of worship.
Every album Wickham releases is beautiful, and this new Christmas record is no exception. Songs like "Manger Throne" and "Behold" will surely be holiday staples for years. Many artists often intertwine worship with Christmas, but only some do it, like Wickham. Whether you need a new holiday album to add to your playlist or are looking for songs to add to your church setlist, look no further than Hallelujah! It's Christmas!
Paul and Hannah McClure - Christmas Morning
Released on Bethel Music's label, worship husband and wife duo Paul and Hannah McClure are back with a re-recording of their debut holiday EP, Christmas Morning. The six-song EP was released in 2020 and has now been repackaged to include live versions of their Christmas songs.
The live versions of these songs were recorded at Bethel and include accompanying music videos. Filmed on a stage filled with Christmas trees, the beautiful videos will transport you to the holiday season. Like Wickham, the McClures seamlessly tie together worship with the nostalgia of Christmas, making their new album worth a listen.
We Are Messengers - Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) EP
On contemporary band We Are Messengers' new Christmas EP, Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas), we get a taste of what the holidays are like for the band's lead singer, Darren Mulligan, and his wife, Heidi. The instrumentation mirrors the landscape of Mulligan's home country of Ireland, featuring fiddle, mandolin, and banjo.
The EP mainly consists of classic holiday songs like "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," but also features an original track, "Thorn and Thistle," featuring Keith and Kristyn Getty.
Mulligan's first Christmas EP, God With Us, released in 2016, remains one of my favorite holiday records. It fills me with so much joy to know that We Are Messengers is still releasing Christmas music eight years later, and I'm excited to see what they'll come up with next.
Hannah Kerr and Austin French - "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"
Just in time for their recently announced Christmas tour, contemporary artists Hannah Kerr and Austin French have released "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear." They put a fresh, jazzy spin on the holiday classic, and their beautiful harmonies bring a retro feel.
If you want to hear the song live, you can catch Kerr and French on The Midnight Clear Christmas Tour this December. The tour will only make five stops, but it might make for a fun Christmas vacation. You can find tickets and more information here.
for KING + COUNTRY - A Drummer Boy Christmas (Live)
It wouldn't be Christmas without for KING + COUNTRY. Their take on "Little Drummer Boy" has become a holiday staple, and it really wouldn't feel like the Christmas season for me without hearing it at least once or twice.
Their debut full-length Christmas album, A Drummer Boy Christmas, was released in 2020, followed by the deluxe album in 2021. They recently returned with the live version of this fan-favorite record.
Although I've yet to see for KING + COUNTRY on their annual Christmas tour, I know how energizing their concerts can be. This live album will be no different, and I can't wait to hear these versions of some of my favorite Christmas songs.
Grace Chaves is NRT's News Editor. She's been part of NewReleaseToday since 2019 and is continuing her journey by majoring in Multimedia Journalism at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.
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