Music Review: The Music of Christmas by Steven Curtis Chapman

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Wonderful new songs and new arrangements bring old songs to life.

Cons: The song "Going Home for Christmas" is too depressing.

The Bottom Line:

Fresh look at Christmas

Both present and Biblical

Just skip the one song

Christmas Music Magic

When I first heard Steven Curtis Chapman was coming out with his first Christmas album, I was excited because I hoped he'd bring his unique insights to my favorite time of the year. I was not disappointed with The Music of Christmas.

This CD consists mostly of new songs or new arrangements of classics to fit his guitar driven adult contemporary style. The CD opens with the first verse from the classic "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" before going into the title track. "The Music of Christmas" is an anthem celebrating Christmas music as well as the memories that it can stir. He even goes so far as to include laughter in his description of the music of the season.

While he does several traditional carols in a recognizable style later in the disc, he includes two songs he musically rewrote for this disc. "Angels We Have Heard on High" is only slightly changed. With a slightly tweaked tempo and modern melody, it becomes a song of rejoicing. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," on the other hand, is slowed down to become a moving piano based ballad that represents a desperate cry for the Messiah. Neither song changes one word of the classic carols, but both feel fresh.

Among the new songs, "Our God is With Us" and "This Baby" are personal favorites. The first is a powerful anthem reminding us that Emmanuel is just as current a name for God today as it was at Jesus' birth. I always sing along at the top of lungs to it. The second is a mid-tempo song that marvels at the wonder that is Jesus. It talks about the human things He had to do as He grew and contrasts that with the miracles surrounding his birth.

There are two instrumental tracks as well. "Interlude" takes several classic carols and combines them in a new arrangement. The standout is "Carol of the Bells." It's a guitar and percussion driven arrangement that includes some fun rifts on the melody. It is a track you will long remember.

The only flaw of the CD is "Going Home for Christmas." Inspired by his grandmother's death, it tells of her excitement to spend Christmas in Heaven with Jesus. While I like the message, the song is way too depressing for me. I skip it every time I listen.

With all the guitar and new songs, it took a few years before I felt "Christmassy" when I put this CD in the player. After having it for eleven years, that's not an issue anymore.

If you're looking for good Christmas music that will focus your eyes on Jesus, The Music of Christmas is the CD for you.

CD Length: 60:56

Tracks:

1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/The Music of Christmas

2. Christmas is All in the Heart

3. Angels We Have Heard on High

4. O Come, O come, Emmanuel

5. Our God is with Us

6. Interlude: The Music of Christmas

7. This Baby

8. Silent Night/Away in a Manger/O Holy Night

9. Carol of the Bells

10. O Come All Ye Faithful

11. Going Home for Christmas

12. Precious Promise