Favourite Christmas Album?

What's your favourite Christmas album? Perhaps it's a traditional album like Carols from Kings, or something more twinkly like Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey. Either way, there's a good chance your favourite CD quickly gets you into the festive mood.

The reason I'm asking is that I've found my new favourite Christmas CD, and it will be a tough one to knock from that position. I found it through a review on the Reformissionary blog, where Steve McCoy rated it highly. I love my Christmas music and had to sample it - and within five minutes had purchased the whole album!


But what makes it a good Christmas album? Forget about the jingle bells and songs about snow. A good Christmas album needs good tunes, good singing, and most of all, songs about Christ. On The Incarnation by Daniel Renstrom gives us all this, and sound theology to boot!

Daniel begins by taking some well-known Christmas carols, and putting his own spin on them - so Come Thou Long Expected Jesus is still set to Hyfrydol, only in an upbeat manner; Hark the Herald Angels Sing is in a quieter, more reflective style, which suits it extremely well; while the rocking beat returns for Angels We Have Heard On High. O Come, O Come Emmanuel is a haunting instrumental which leads into one on Daniel's own songs: Rise & Fall.

The dawn of the light
Is breaking tonight
At the birth of this dangerous King

And shepherds and kings
Bow down and sing
At the birth of this dangerous King

Many will rise and fall
At the birth of this King, the birth of this King
Many will rise and fall
At the birth of this King, the birth of this King

Those who oppose
Stumble on this stone
The birth of this dangerous King

But many will hear
Believing in fear
Will hope in this dangerous King

The sound of the song reminds me in some ways of Muse, while the words recall the words of old Simeon in the temple.

The album opens with a strong reminder of just what the incarnation is all about with a great musical kick:

Who has believed
This message we have loved
Invisible God, came in flesh from above

Mighty, wonderful God, Prince of Peace
Bringing sight to the lost, calling us to sing

Join oh join the angel melody
God with man is pleased to dwell
Sing confess, with all His company
Jesus our Immanuel

Promised One
Came with justice and Love
The ruined to claim
Sin and death overcame

Mighty, wonderful God, Prince of Peace
Bringing sight to the lost, calling us to sing

I had originally thought that Daniel completely avoided the jingle bells of Christmas on the album, but listening more carefully they appear during a section of this song - and deservedly so!

The last two songs are also Daniel's original work, a powerful acoustic reflection on the comfort Christ brings to us, and to the world through his birth and death:

Comfort ye heavy laden , The Son of God has come
His kingdom shines with lavish mercy, For those who’s hearts are drawn

Those who dwell in darkness , See the of Christ invades the night
Shining from His cross of anguish , His death brings many life

In Christ we know hope for the hurting
In Christ we know love for the lost
In Christ we know no other one can save

Comfort ye weary Christian , For just as Christ was raised
He will soon return to gather those, Who follow Him by faith

In Christ we know hope for the hurting
In Christ we know love for the lost
In Christ we know no other one can save

Immanuel
God with us
Son of God
Hallelujah

Immanuel
God with us
Son of God
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

The Immanuel bridge is the build up of the hope throughout the song, and celebrates the glory of the truth that the Son of God is one of us, and is with us.

Divine Messiah is the final track, a heartfelt cry to the Messiah to come, and a fitting end to the whole cd, as we wait for the return of the Lord.

On The Incarnation comes highly recommended, as a Christmas album which can be listened to all year round, and as all good theology should lead to doxology, this certainly leads to praise and worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Buy it from iTunes for £6.32, and even less at Amazon downloads and join the angel melody to praise the dangerous king. Check out the reviews from Steve McCoy and Zack Riesland to find out more about the songs, or check out Daniel Renstrom's site, where you can also download the chord charts and lyrics for the album.

Tomorrow we have an exclusive interview with Daniel as he shares with us about the album - watch this space!