As hard as it is to believe, 2022 is almost over. The summer months have come and gone and the leaves outside are changing colors. Also, the weather temperatures are dropping and retail stores are putting up their Christmas decor. All signs that the holidays are upon us.
But, what's also here is the great debate about when to listen to Christmas music. For me, there's no better time than the present. It just feels fitting to put on some Christmas tunes.
Whether you've been listening to Christmas music since July or you're still waiting until after Thanksgiving, we've got you covered with the top ten new Christmas albums and singles that you can add to your holiday playlist. So, pour yourself some hot cocoa, turn on the fire pit, and let's look at these festive-themed releases.
And if you want more, check out our official New Christian Christmas 2022 playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.
Tasha Layton - This Is Christmas
After touring with pop artist Katy Perry for four years, Tasha settled down with her family in South Carolina before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where she met and married GRAMMY Award-winning producer Keith Everette Smith. He produced her debut EP, Love Running Wild,in 2019. Since then, she's released hit songs like "Into The Sea (It's Gonna Be Ok)," "Look What You've Done," and "How Far."
Last year, Tasha released her holiday EP, This Is Christmas. This year, she's dropping a full-length Christmas project under the same name. The 10-song album features her previously released songs, "Giving Christmas Away" and "Make It to Christmastime," alongside new renditions of songs like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." With a mix of new songs and old, this Christmas collection is one that you'll want to have on your holiday rotation.
Love & The Outcome - "The Wonder Of Christmas" / "It's Still Christmas"
In 2013, husband/wife duo Love & The Outcome released their debut Christmas single, "Emmanuel." It quickly became a holiday favorite. Four years later, in 2017, the duo released their EP, Christmas Songs. And last year, in 2021, the duo released yet another holiday single, "Christmas Lights." Their 2022 holiday singles, "The Wonder Of Christmas," and "It's Still Christmas," offers the listener a perspective of seeing the wonder of Christmastime through the eyes of a child. The lyrics are beautiful and striking: "The words I've heard at least a million times/I see it now through their eyes/This is the wonder, the wonder of Christmas/Heaven's love, the Holy One."
"It's Still Christmas" is more somber compared to "The Wonder of Christmas." It speaks to the grief and heartache that can be felt during this time of year. But the message of the song remains the same.
We Are Messengers - Saviour EP
The Christian band We Are Messengers has released some of my favorite Christmas songs over the years. In 2016, they released their debut four-song Christmas EP, God With Us, and in 2019 they added the song "This is Jesus" to the collection. They recently added another song to the EP with the release of "Saviour."
Lead singer Darren Mulligan is an incredible voice in the Christian music industry. I'm so grateful for the impact he's had on my life. His Christmas song, "God With Us," helped me during a challenging season, and it never ceases to amaze me the way God can use music in our lives--yes, even Christmas music. "Saviour" is sure to be another hit, and I can't wait to hear it.
Michael W. Smith - Christmas At Home
In October, Christian contemporary icon Michael W. Smith released his latest holiday record, Christmas At Home. Over the years, Michael has released quite a few holiday albums. In fact, Christmas At Home marks his fifth-holiday collection. The seven-song EP features new songs, such as the title track, "Christmas Is Here." This song has a nostalgic feel, and it feels like a new holiday classic. If you want to be transported to a snowy day at home in December, look no further than Christmas At Home.
The Church Will Sing - "Holy (Christmas Version)"
The Church Will Sing is a new and unique collaborative group founded in 2020 by Word Worship Music. The Church Will Sing unites worship leaders and songwriters, like Elyssa Smith, Jordan St. Cyr, and Kristian Stanfill, from across the country. Last year, they released their debut Christmas single, "Messiah," and this year they're back with another holiday offering, "Holy (Christmas Version)." While The Church Will Sing is new to Christian music, they're already building quite a discography. They've dropped several singles and one full-length record, with another in the works.
Jordan St. Cyr - "The Wait Is Over"
Canadian singer/songwriter Jordan St. Cyr has become a success on radio with his hit songs, "Fires" and "Weary Traveler." Now, he's dropping a Christmas single, "The Wait Is Over." Last year, Jordan released his debut Christmas single, "Rejoice," which was featured on The Church Will Sing's holiday single "Messiah." Jordan's songs reflect the attributes of Jesus, and I'm sure this new Christmas single will be no different.
Hannah Kerr - Joy To The World [It's Christmas] EP
Christian artist Hannah Kerr is no stranger to Christmas music. In 2018, she released her full-length holiday album, Christmas Eve In Bethlehem, which was met with praise from fans and radio stations alike. With new takes on songs like "Breath of Heaven" and original songs like "Emmanuel," Hannah's first Christmas album was a hit. Now, she's back with a brand new three-song Christmas EP.
Joy To The World (It's Christmas) features new renditions of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Sleigh Ride," as well as a new spin on "Joy To The World." Hannah has a voice that captures the beauty and emotion of the holiday season, so this new EP is sure to be special.
Journey Worship Co. - "Glory in the Highest" / "My Soul Magnifies The Lord"
There's something extraordinary about Christmas worship. The incredible night that Jesus was born had to be one of beautiful peace, comfort, and hope. These two new Christmas worship singles from Journey Worship Co. capture that with beautiful vocals and simplistic, worshipful lyrics that are backed by a full orchestral arrangement. If you need something more than the classics to help usher in the season, add these two tracks to your playlist today.
Switchfoot - This Is Our Christmas
I say this in almost every article, so it should come as no surprise when I say that Switchfoot is my all-time favorite band. So I was thrilled when I found out that the group was releasing a Christmas album.
Although Switchfoot has released a few yule-tide songs like "Evergreen" and last year's "Hometown Christmas" with popular Christian acts NEEDTOBREATHE and Judah, they've never released a full-length holiday project--until now. Switchfoot recently dropped This Is Our Christmas, an album that features five new takes on holiday classics like "Christmas Time Is Here" and "O Little Town Of Bethlehem," and five original songs like "New Year's Day" and "Looking for Christmas."
In mid-October, the band released the project's lead single, "California Christmas." I must admit I haven't stopped listening to it since it came out. It's the definition of what Christmas is like in California (and yes, the song even mentions avocados). Don't miss out on Switchfoot's debut Christmas album.
Selah - At The Table: A Christmas Album
The veteran trio Selah sure has been busy lately. In October, they released their latest album, Greatest Hymns Vol. 3. But they didn't stop there. On the same day, they released their latest Christmas record, At The Table: A Christmas Album. The album features holiday favorites like "Away In a Manger," "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear," and "The First Noel," alongside new songs like "At This Table" and "The Night Love Was Born." If you're looking for an album that has new takes on old favorites, Selah's new record is for you.
No matter where you find yourself this holiday season, I hope and pray that you remember that you're loved by the King of kings–by the baby boy who was born in a stable to save the world 2,000 years ago. Whether you're rejoicing this Christmas season or grieving the loss of someone you love, remember that our savior is with you at this very moment. Merry Christmas.
Want more Christmas? Check out our official New Christian Christmas 2022 playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.
Grace Chaves has been a fan of all things Christian music since 2016. She is NRT's news editor, and one of NRT's youngest writers. Homeschooled, Grace is an author, loves Jesus, concerts, and road trips.
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