The holiday season is now upon us. Thanksgiving is here, and the Christmas bells are ringing. The good-smelling candles are being burnt, yummy food is being made, and most importantly, the joyous melodies of Christmas are being sung out from church steeples to shopping malls. The world’s Savior has come, and we get to come together for a moment of reflection on this life-changing truth.
Christmas music carries some of the most nostalgic and homey tunes, and every year, talented artists from all over the world create sounds to carry us through the season. Get ready to look at more music to indulge in the festivities this joyous time of year.
For more, visit our official New Christian Christmas 2023 playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.
Blanca (feat. Alex Campos) – “Gozo Y Paz (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)”
This year, Christian pop artist Blanca released The Heartbreak And The Healing (Deluxe Edition), including nine new tracks and remixes. Featured on this track is Alex Campos, a three-time Latin GRAMMY winner.
Blanca’s latest “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” version combines English and Spanish. She creates a unique take on a classic by including a Latin touch. The song uniquely overlaps these languages and cultures through Alex’s collaboration and a grand choral arrangement. They utilize beautiful harmonies, and the choir builds up the atmosphere in the background.
Hollyn – “Joy to the World”
Christian pop artist Hollyn provides a tender acoustic approach to the Christmas songs we all know and love on her album, Christmas Morning Magic. Her vocal choices and use of instrumentation provoke listeners to stop and listen to the words we so frequently sing most years. What a joy it truly is that we have a Savior who so graciously came to earth as a baby and mercifully extended His love to us.
Sarah Kroger – “Silent Night”
Songwriter Sarah Kroger’s music goes back to 2011 but became known to a broader audience when her song “Belovedness” took off. In November 2023, Kroger released her first Christmas EP, Light Has Come, which features the title track, “Silent Night,” “Ave (King of Kings),” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
In "Silent Night," Kroger's voice intensifies with the backing instrumentals. The song has a classical ambiance to it, causing you to reminisce on Christmases in years past.
Forrest Frank – “Away In A Manger”
Forrest Frank, formerly of the band Surfaces, became a solo artist in 2023, with his songs charting in both the Christian and secular music realms. Some notable songs of the year include “No Longer Bound” and “LIFT MY HANDS.” His style is an infusion of indie pop, rap, and lofi beats, sure to have something for everyone to enjoy.
His new album, A Merry Lofi Christmas, blends jazz with lofi music for a festive sound. In "Away In A Manger," we hear saxophone with lo-fi beats and, of course, the iconic lyrics. This take is one you will want to take advantage of.
The Cast of Journey to Bethlehem – “Mother To A Savior And King”
Journey To Bethlehem, a new Christmas musical released in theatres on November 10, tells the Nativity story in a new light. Fiona Palomo, Milo Manheim, Lecrae, Joel Smallbone of for KING & COUNTRY, and more familiar faces join this all-star cast.
In “Mother to A Savior And King,” actress Fiona Palomo, who plays Mary, sings to God, crying out to ask how it’s possible she would be chosen as “a mother to a Savior and King.” Throughout this song, we can see her struggle with the Lord and how rooted she is in Him. The lyrics display Mary’s faithfulness unto God and her desire to do His will.
Phil Wickham – “Manger Throne”
“Manger Throne” from Phil Wickham exalts Jesus to the highest place while showing how meek the King we serve genuinely is. The song shows how Jesus went to the lowest place for us. I can see this song being sung in churches for years to come. This hymn is suitable for group singing in a church congregation. The song has powerful choral moments with lyrics that beckon us to praise Jesus.
We Are Messengers, The Church Will Sing – “Come See (Let Us Adore Him)”
Christian band We Are Messengers collaborated with The Church Will Sing for their first Christmas single, "Come See (Let Us Adore Him)." This song combines the words we sing every year with new ones that are just as encouraging and help us to keep our gaze on the reason for the season: Jesus.
Michael W. Smith – “God with God”
Icon contemporary artist Michael W. Smith always works to write music with intentionality and insight into his walk with Christ. On October 6, he released his Christmas album, Every Christmas, which includes 12 new tracks to glorify the Lord. “God with God” takes us from God’s existence before the beginning of time to Him coming to us as a man. This song speaks to God’s magnificence and splendor.
Elevation Worship – “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”
In 2023, popular worship band Elevation Worship released two new albums: CAN YOU IMAGINE? and Echo The Angels, a Christmas project that includes their rendition of “Hark The Herald Angels Sing.” Elevation Worship elevates this song with an upbeat tempo and a fantastic band. Their rendition creates an explosion of joy and celebration fitting for the birth of Jesus.
Mac Powell – “Jesus Christ Is Born”
On Mac Powell’s new EP, Christmas, there’s a unique new variety of Christmas songs, including “Jesus Christ Is Born.” The folk artist’s rock rhythms hit on some truths of the faith while maintaining a gleeful feel. And what a lively time it is when we sing these truths daily. We can enjoy our freedom in Christ Jesus because He did not only come as a baby but grew, shed His blood on the cross, and resurrected in three days.
Isabella Nantes is in her third year of college and recently joined the NRT Staff as a writer. She loves God and the way Christian music connects people to Him.
NEW!BEHIND THE SONG
#1236 - Brandon Heath
Transforming wounds into stories of redemption in this powerful song
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW!NRT EDITORIAL
Skillet
We explores some of the band's best songs outside their hits
NEW!NRT LISTS
Jordan Merritt
A real conversation around the artist's new track, "Human"
NEW!HEARTSPEAK
Jordan Feliz
The artist's must-listen-to songs about faith, family, and redemption
NEW!AN NRT EXCLUSIVE
Rock Meets Worship
Seven gritty cover songs of popular worship music and hymns
