Christian Music Artists Boost Christmas Spirit

Christian Music Artists Boost Christmas Spirit

By

Courtney Lee

Christian Post Contributor

Fri, Nov. 23 2007 02:47 PM ET

Renowned Christian artists such as Jars of Clay and Natalie Grant are set to uplift the Christmas spirit with all-new holiday albums and tours.

Grant, the GMA Music Award’s Female Vocalist of the Year, is preparing to headline her third annual Christmas Tour this season with special guests Aaron Shust and American Idol finalist Mandisa.

The “Natalie Grant – A Christmas To Believe In Tour” will hit 14 cities in December.

Ahead of the tour, Mandisa released her own Christmas EP featuring four tracks including classics “Joy to the World” and “O Holy Night.” Available digitally and in stores nationwide since Tuesday, the “Christmas Joy EP” also features the Stevie Wonder favorite “What Christmas Means to Me” and the newly written “Christmas Makes Me Cry” duet with labelmate Matthew West. “Christmas Makes Me Cry” will also be aired on radio as a holiday single.

"It seems to me that even the hardest hearts soften during the Christmas season,” expressed Mandisa about recording a Christmas album. “There is a prevalent joy that draws people together and Christmas music is the soundtrack to that season. Reflecting on God’s unconditional love for us is what Christmas means to me.”

Meanwhile, energetic pop group JUMP5 will be giving fans a final Christmas gift this year before parting ways with the release of the holiday album, Christmas Like This. The album has been available to purchase online through all major digital outlets including iTunes and Rhapsody since Tuesday.

"This record is special because we wrote quite a few songs on it," says JUMP5's Chris Fedun. "I hope it will give the fans that little Christmas feeling we all had when we were kids. And I hope they will continue to listen to it year after year!"

Another highly anticipative tour is that headlined by Grammy Award-nominated band NewSong and featuring critically acclaimed artist Todd Agnew. The group will embark on “The Christmas Promise Tour” Nov. 27 in Bolivar, Mo., with special guests Matthew West and Britt Nicole.

“The Christmas Promise Tour” is slated to hit 18 cities, including stops in Cincinnati; Norfolk, Neb.; and West Columbia, S.C., before concluding Dec. 20 in Champaign, Ill.

Other notable Christmas albums include Jars of Clay’ Christmas Songs and Relient K’s Let It Snow, Baby…Let It Reindeer, which both released last month.