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This is a strong year for Christmas releases from Christian artists, and not just because there are more holiday albums than usual. Here, we present 13 of them, and most all rate good to excellent, with a few of them far surpassing what some might expect from the artists. So trim the tree, bake some cookies, wrap some gifts, and celebrate the season of our Lord's birth with 2005's most notable Christmas recordings.

Steven Curtis Chapman | Bryan Duncan & the NehoSoul Band
Natalie Grant | MercyMe | Aaron Neville
The Oak Ridge Boys | Sandi Patty | Point of Grace | Jami Smith
Absolute Favorite Christmas for Kids | Come Let Us Adore Him
Happy Christmas Volume Four | WoW Christmas [Green] 

All I Really Want for Christmas (Sparrow/EMI)
Pop/rock

If this is the second Steven Curtis Chapman album for you after 1995's The Music of Christmas, there's a lot to love. But fans that bought Christmas Is All in the Heart exclusively through Hallmark in 2003 might feel cheated, since that album's six new tracks are again featured here—with six other new ones. (Our review of the 2003 album touches on the highlights, and fans that own that album may want to consider purchasing the newest tracks individually at Christianbook.com.) The newer stuff is fine, and there are a couple of adorable moments with adopted daughter Shaoey. But aside from some slightly folksier instrumentation, co-producer Ed Cash generally keeps things routine. It doesn't help that some of the new melodies and guitar riffs are too similar to recent Chapman songs from the last five years. The album's good, but all that Chapman fans really want for Christmas is something truly new.

A NehoSoul Christmas! (Red Road Records)
Soulful pop/rock

After twenty years as a solo artist, Bryan Duncan left behind formulaic AC pop to pursue the music he wanted to make, resulting in his impressive NehoSoul Band, which made its debut with Music City Live. The R&B-flavored pop quintet makes its studio debut with this holiday album, but unfortunately, the production values are considerably lacking. The horn section is credited to "the Phil/Harmonic Horns," as in album producer and band keyboardist Phil Curry. Synthetic brass, strings, and harmonica are forgivable in a live setting where musical prowess dominates, but in the studio, the limitations of keyboards are woefully magnified. Too bad, because the band is indeed talented—Curry included. Duncan is in great voice performing soulful R&B/pop arrangements of Christmas favorites, plus Michael McDonald's "Peace," the classic "What a Wonderful World," and Duncan's own "This Christmas." Right style for Duncan, wrong aesthetic.

Believe (Curb/Warner)
Pop/jazz/gospel

After reaching new levels of acclaim and success in 2005 with Awaken, Natalie Grant appropriately rounds out a year of blessing with her first Christmas release. The album is somewhat predictable in scope, touching on the usual mix of orchestrated pop and jazz to showcase her impressive vocal range and broad stylistic influences. It's masterfully executed, handily produced by husband Bernie Herms, who plays some killer piano on Motown rockers "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "What Christmas Means to Me." The pleasant original ballad "I Believe" is unremarkable, overshadowed by a soulful-yet-traditional rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful," a stunning a cappella choral version of "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," and a quirky disco interpretation of "Joy to the World." Enjoy Believe for its beautiful orchestrations, skilled musicianship, and a voice due for a Best Female Vocalist Gospel Music Award.

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