The 9 Greatest CCM Christmas Albums — CR8: First Call, Evening In December (1986)

Intro

Appearing at CR8 in The Greatest CCM Christmas Albums, Evening In December (1986) captures a particular kind of Christmas mood—less crowded-room celebration, more hush-and-holy wonder. It’s the sound of faith settling into stillness, where the season’s familiar melodies become invitations to slow down and listen again.

The Album in Context

In the mid-’80s, CCM was widening its palette—embracing more polished studio craftsmanship while still aiming to serve the church. Evening In December sits right in that sweet spot: reverent enough for Sunday, accessible enough for living rooms, and textured with the era’s gentle production fingerprints.

Production choices serve the atmosphere: keys and pads create warmth, acoustic elements keep the tone human, and dynamics remain controlled so the message stays front and center. The sequencing feels intentional, moving from quiet anticipation into worshipful assurance—like watching lights appear one by one as night falls.

Within the broader stream of Christmas releases, this album stands out for its devotional posture. It doesn’t chase novelty; it cultivates attention. It gives listeners music that feels like a December prayer—steady, luminous, and unhurried.

Standout Songs

• “Evening In December” — A title-track mood piece that frames the season as sacred stillness, inviting listeners to meet Christ in the quiet.
• “Silent Night” — A hushed, tender reading that leans into the carol’s peace, letting space and tone do the heavy lifting.
• “O Come, All Ye Faithful” — A gently triumphant arrangement that builds without bluster, turning the chorus into a warm call to worship.

Why It Matters

Artistically, Evening In December demonstrates the power of atmosphere and pacing. Instead of aiming for big moments, it builds a consistent emotional world—one that makes the listener want to stay awhile. The result is a record that functions as both background and bedside devotion.

Historically, the album reflects a strand of ’80s CCM that treated Christmas as formation, not just festivity. It helped normalize the idea that seasonal albums could be intentionally contemplative—music designed to guide prayer, not merely soundtrack shopping.

For listeners, this record often becomes a “late-night December” tradition—played while wrapping gifts, reading Scripture, or simply sitting still when the season feels overwhelming. It testifies that the miracle of Bethlehem speaks most clearly when we quiet the noise.

What’s Next

Tomorrow in The Greatest CCM Christmas Albums countdown, we move closer to the top with CR7 — Twila Paris, It’s the Thought (1995). Don’t miss the companion podcast episode of The CCM Professor with Greg Rice, where we explore how devotional Christmas songwriting found new depth in the ’90s.

Soli Deo Gloria!

This post is part of the series The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, celebrating the artists and recordings that defined a generation of faith-filled creativity.

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