The Greatest CCM Christmas Albums — CR3: Michael W. Smith, Christmas (1989)

Intro

Occupying CR3 in The Greatest CCM Christmas Albums, Michael W. Smith’s Christmas (1989) stands as one of the most ambitious and beloved projects in the genre. It remains a North Star for artists attempting to marry classical grandeur with contemporary Christian songwriting.

The Album in Context

By the late ’80s, Smith had already proven himself as a hitmaker and musical craftsman. For his first Christmas release, he and co‑producer Ronn Huff aimed high, enlisting the London Symphony Orchestra and leaning fully into cinematic arrangements that could fill both headphones and concert halls.

The album pivots between instrumental passages, choir‑driven anthems, and intimate vocal features. Strings and brass are used not as ornament but as essential storytelling tools, and the choral parts are written with an ear toward both classical tradition and modern worship sensibilities.

Within CCM, Christmas expanded the imagination of what seasonal music could sound like. It invited listeners to hear familiar themes through a widescreen lens, and it inspired subsequent generations of artists to think orchestrally—even when budgets or circumstances couldn’t quite match the scale.

Standout Songs

• “Gloria” — A thrilling, choir‑and‑orchestra eruption that feels like the sky over Bethlehem suddenly bursting open.
• “All Is Well” — A modern hymn of quiet assurance, carried by a simple melody and choral arrangement that has found a long life in church repertoires.
• “No Eye Had Seen” — A lush, contemplative ballad that connects the Christmas story to the larger arc of redemption, framed by Smith’s signature melodic touch.

Why It Matters

Artistically, the album demonstrated that CCM could handle orchestral scope without losing emotional intimacy. The writing, arranging, and performances work together to create a sense of awe that feels earned rather than engineered.

Historically, Christmas set a new standard for production values in Christian holiday releases and helped normalize the idea of large‑scale Christmas tours as marquee events on the CCM calendar. Its songs continue to be programmed by choirs, orchestras, and worship teams around the world.

For listeners, this record has become a December fixture—music for decorating the house, driving to services, and sitting quietly after the last candle is snuffed out. It points hearts upward while keeping the Incarnation squarely in view.

What’s Next

Tomorrow in The Greatest CCM Christmas Albums countdown, we move toward the top with CR2 — Various Artists, New Young Messiah (1993). On the podcast, we’ll talk about how Handel’s masterpiece found new life in the hands and voices of ’90s CCM.

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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