Gotta Have Gospel Christmas: O Holy Night

Holiday collections come with effective built-in nostalgia, since the seasonal songs remind everyone of Christmases and holidays past. There's even a sort of Great Holiday Songbook, and the songs in it have been interpreted in every style over the years, from reggae to punk, polka to classical, all fitting harmoniously and comfortably together during each holiday season. It's an amazing seasonal explosion of music, and it's played and heard over a few busy weeks at the end of the year, then vanishes, only to emerge like Christmas butterflies a year later. That's the utility of collections like this. They don't date, since all styles are welcome and included, and they work just fine every holiday season, year after year. This set features modern urban gospel and praise & worship artists providing a seasonal soundtrack, and includes Whitney Houston's version of "The First Noel," Marvin Sapp's take on "Home for Christmas," and Tarralyn Ramsey's rendition of the hymn "O Holy Night," among others. ~ Steve Leggett