Christmastime
45 min · 12 tracks · pop rock
A joyful blend of traditional carols and original compositions infused with Michael W. Smith's signature pop sensibility.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Happiest Christmas Start here — accessible entry with immediate holiday vibe
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Christmastime — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its warm melodies and heartfelt lyrics celebrating the spirit of the season.
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Welcome to Our World — This song offers a poignant reflection on the themes of hope and redemption central to the Christmas narrative, showcasing Smith’s vocal range.
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Away in a Manger / Child in the Manger — The medley beautifully marries two beloved carols into a moving arrangement that highlights Smith's reverence for traditional Christmas music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines original and traditional elements, creating a festive yet familiar sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for holiday gatherings
- joyful sing-alongs with family
- warmth for cozy winter nights
- celebratory spirit of christmas
- inviting background for festivities
Maybe skip if you
- seeks intense, fast-paced music
- prefers standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — First holiday album that established his presence in seasonal music.
- Career context
- Released in 1998, Christmastime was Michael W. Smith's first holiday album, following his successful career in contemporary Christian music. By this point, he had established himself as a prominent figure in the genre, with multiple chart-topping albums and a devoted fan base.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Amy Grant· Steven Curtis Chapman· Chris Tomlin
Tracklist
- 1 The Happiest Christmas Start here 3:09
- 2 Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells 2:18
- 3 Christmastime 4:15
- 4 Welcome to Our World 3:27
- 5 Hope of Israel 3:17
- 6 Sing We Now of Christmas / O Come O Come Emmanuel / Emmanuel 5:27
- 7 O Christmas Tree 3:53
- 8 Christmas Waltz 3:00
- 9 We Three Kings 3:22
- 10 Away in a Manger / Child in the Manger 5:06
- 11 Carols Sing 2:14
- 12 I Saw Three Ships / Joy to the World 5:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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