The Greatest CCM Christmas Albums — CR6: 4Him, Christmas, The Season of Love (1993)

Intro

Appearing at CR6 in The Greatest CCM Christmas Albums, 4Him’s Christmas, The Season of Love (1993) captures a moment when CCM vocal groups were redefining what “tight” could sound like. It remains a go‑to example of how Christmas music can be both commercially polished and spiritually rich.

The Album in Context

By 1993, 4Him had already staked their claim as one of Christian music’s premier harmony groups. This Christmas project channeled everything they did best—layered vocals, melodic pop sensibilities, and a knack for pairing familiar carols with new emotional angles.

Don Koch’s production leans into clarity and impact: rhythm sections are crisp, keys and strings fill in color without muddying the blend, and the group’s four‑part stack is always the focal point. The record moves confidently between uptempo celebration and hushed wonder, giving the tracklist a satisfying ebb and flow.

Within the CCM scene, The Season of Love helped cement the idea that a Christmas album could launch a song into the seasonal canon. Instead of functioning as a side project, it became a core part of 4Him’s legacy—and a reference point for later vocal groups attempting their own holiday statements.

Standout Songs

• “A Strange Way to Save the World” — A Joseph‑eyed ballad that turns Bethlehem into a meditation on upside‑down grace, asking why God would choose such humble means to rescue the world.
• “Do You Hear What I Hear” — A dynamic, harmony‑forward remake that transforms a familiar carol into a showcase for 4Him’s blend and rhythmic instincts.
• “Little Drummer Boy” — A percussive, groove‑oriented version that leans into the tension and release of the arrangement, underscoring the power of simple offerings given to a great King.

Why It Matters

Artistically, the album demonstrates how meticulous vocal arranging can elevate even the most familiar Christmas repertoire. Lines weave in and out, countermelodies peek through, and the production gives listeners plenty to discover on repeat plays.

Historically, The Season of Love helped solidify 4Him’s standing as a flagship act of ’90s CCM and proved that seasonal material could yield songs with staying power. “A Strange Way to Save the World” in particular crossed generational and denominational lines, becoming a December staple on radio and in sanctuary specials alike.

For listeners, this record became the soundtrack to road trips, Christmas pageant rehearsals, and living‑room sing‑alongs. It’s the sound of a group at peak form inviting the church to marvel again at the strange, beautiful story at the center of the season.

What’s Next

Tomorrow in The Greatest CCM Christmas Albums countdown, we continue with CR5 — Steven Curtis Chapman, The Music of Christmas (1995). Don’t miss the companion podcast episode of The CCM Professor with Greg Rice, where we dig deeper into the stories behind these songs.

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.

As an Amazon Associate, CCM Professor may earn from qualifying purchases through affiliate links. Your support helps keep this series going!