Track Listing

1. Happiest Christmas
2. Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells
3. Christmastime
4. Welcome to Our World
5. Hope of Israel
6. Medley: Sing We Now of Christmas/O Come O Come Emmanuel/Emmanuel
7. O Christmas Tree
8. Christmas Waltz
9. We Three Kings
10. Medley: Away in a Manager/Child in the Manager
11. Carols Sing
12. Medley: I Saw Three Ships/Joy to the World

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2443 in Music
• Released on: 1998-10-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
Christmastime, the 1998 holiday release on which Michael W. Smith plays chemist and combines elements not previously forged together, is a study in contrast. His inclusion of three medleys of classic holiday tunes works more than it doesn't. But the addition of Christmas show tunes like "The Happiest Christmas," Kay Thompson's "Jingle Bells," and "Christmas Waltz" makes little sense. One has to be a crooner to pull these off and Smitty is many things but a crooner. The release's finest moments come in more contemporary style with the Chris Rice-penned "Welcome to Our World," Smitty's title track, and the Phil Keaggy-enriched instrumental "O Christmas Tree." Of the medleys, "Sing We Now of Christmas/O Come O Come Emmanuel " showcases Smitty's sensible arrangements as well as his now-famous "Emmanuel" chorus. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews

Not His First, But Worth a Listen Just the Same
Michael W. Smith's first Christmas CD was different from what he normally does, with its choral sound and the feel of a church program. Since that was so different, I wasn't sure what to expect when I got this.

Good thing I wasn't expecting anything specific because this CD is all over the place. Very few of the songs on here are original, but most are seldom recorded. The more familiar songs on here are instrumental arrangements. While at first I was disappointed to not get words with "O Christmas Tree" and "We Three Kings," the arrangements are so fantastic it's easy to get past that. And the pipes on "I Saw Three Ships" make me want to get up and dance. "Hope of Israel" is an original instrumental piece as well.

He revives the choral sounds of his first Christmas CD on "Christmastime" and "Carols Sing." And he provides some more pop songs with "The Happiest Christmas," "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells," the first Christmas recording of "Welcome to Our World," and "Christmas Waltz," a duet with Sandi Patty. Frankly, these are the songs I love most. Of special note is a new version of his "Sing We Now of Christmas" that is just a hauntingly beautiful as the original.

So does this mishmash of styles work? Yes, it does, but it takes a few listens. The first year I had it, I wasn't sure if I liked it at all, but each year it's grown on me. Now I look forward to hearing it every year.

An instant Christmas Classic with lush orchestration!
This CD has a real mix of styles, but still hangs together as a very cohesive CD. My favorite track on the album is "Christmastime". It's just fabulous! Also, I especially enjoyed Michael's duet with Sandi Patty on "Christmas Waltz".

Michael incorporates a wide variety of instruments in this masterpiece of a CD - tinwhistle, bagpipes, Uillean Pipes, and all the usual instruments are included.

Track 6 is a medley with "Sing We Now of Christmas" sung by the American Boys Choir starting out. The medley ends with a lively "Emmanuel" (the one Amy Grant has on her first Christmas album, but MWS wrote it)!

The first track, "The Happiest Christmas", is reminiscent of the music my parents used to listen to - Ed Ames, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, etc. Michael does a great job with this style!

There is truly something for everyone on this CD - you can't go wrong buying this CD for any of your loved ones!

The liner notes are a feast for the eyes, with great drawings and photos.

Please check out my other reviews of Christian music and books!

Love it! Love it!
I purchased this CD last year and just about wore it out! I love the classic songs on here, mixed with some new ones. The rendition of "Jingle Bells" just plain tickles me (as well as my son...as soon as he hears that first whinny of a horse he just laughs and laughs...buy the CD and you'll see what I mean!) I also love "Christmastime" and my all-time favorite is MWS's instrumental piece "Hope of Israel". It is absolutely beautiful and really stirs my soul. Get this album and give yourself a wonderful Christmas present! You'll be so glad that you did!