Jimbo's Jots

Since today is Christmas Sunday, I thought I would finish out with the list in 2022 of Christmas music you may have not heard before with someone that recently was introduced to me. But first, I thought I would add some honorable mentions:

• The Carol of Emmanuel by David Klinkenberg – A violinist who works with pianist Jim Brickman to create this beautiful collection of popular Christmas music. There is only one song on it that has lyrics, He Made a Way in a Manger.
• The Ultimate Lounge Christmas by John Jonethis – I’m not sure you could even find a copy of this unless you search Ebay. Think Frank Sinatra in a little nightclub in Manhattan. Jonethis produced a Christian album back in the early 2000s singing contemporary Christian music lounge style.
• The First Christmas by Rescue – Acappella Christian artist Rescue out of Gresham, Oregon. Wonderful arrangements of some old and new Christmas classics

Let me, now, introduce you to Maranda Curtis’ album Maranda Presents a Holy Christmas. Ms. Curtis was a member of the praise team at The Potter’s House Church in Dallas. She brings a soulful gospel and praise sound to Christmas classics. This EP style album (only 6 songs) will bring you to the throne of God in worshipful praise and gives you a reason to dance before the Lord as well.

• The opening song, Joy, is a new take of Joy to the World. She invites you into “church” as she sings about this joy that “the world can’t take it away”.
• The First Noel is a slow rhythm and blues arrangement. With her voice and song style, it gives me an Anita Baker vibe.
• Holy is a new song giving honor to Jesus as King of the World. It is a wonderful praise song to the attributes of the newborn King. Then there is a reprise of Holy with a gospel preacher expounding on this song of praise.
• Mighty God is her arrangement of the praise song What a Mighty God We Serve.
• The Christmas Medley is the finishing song of the album. It includes O Holy Night and Silent Night. And of course, it becomes an anthem of praise to Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

This is a great little album! With each song, you are invited into the presence of the Lord in worshipful praise. You will find yourself trying to sing along because of the words and music of the songs. Then there will be times, you just want to be quiet and allow her to speak for you in worship.

I hope you have enjoyed this series. If you have Christmas music you enjoy listening to that is not the common radio play albums, forward them onto me. I’m always looking for new Christmas music in my library!

May God bless you through the songs of Christmas!! May you be a song of blessing to others this Christmas!