It's a Wonderful Christmas
List Price:
Our Price: $1.29
You Save: $8.70 (87%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Brand: Heart Beat RecordsComposer: Michael W. Smith
Composer: Christmas Traditional
Conductor: David Hamilton
Performer: Skip Cleavinger
Performer: James Gregory
Performer: Craig Nelson
Performer: Paul Liem
Performer: Sam Bacco
Performer: Adam Lester
Edition: Music CD
Music CD: Region Code 0
Published: 2007-10-01
CD Release Date: 2007-10-16
Audience Rating: Unrated
Music Label: Reunion
Soundtracks:
- Christmas Angels
- It's a Wonderful Christmas
- The Promise
- Song For the King
- Christmas Day
- A Highland Carol
- Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah
- Son Of God
- What Child Is This
- Audrey's Gift
- All Year Long
Music reviews of It's a Wonderful Christmas
Music Review: Christmas brings out the best in Michael W. Smith
Rating: 5 Stars
Christmas brings out the best in some artists. It's true of Jeff Johnson, and after listening to It's a Wonderful Christmas, I believe it's true of Michael W. Smith.
This is Smith's third Christmas offering and it's filled with wonder from the opening notes that mimic the sound of a child's music box. The intricate and vibrant orchestration could be the perfect soundtrack for some enchanted Christmas performance. Images and memories spring to mind as the music brings to life the glory of the season.
It alternates between quiet, beautiful sounds and the fuller, majestic sounds that you would associate with a symphony. Known for his pop rock and more recently his praise and worship music, this is the symphony side of Michael W. Smith that we heard on Freedom (2000). But this release outshines his previous foray into the wonderful world of orchestration.
It may have helped that this was recorded at London's famous Abbey Road studios using four different choirs and a 67-piece orchestra. But more than anything, if God shines in all that is fair, Michael W. Smith shines here as a composer, musician and vocalist. All but one song--a quiet and gorgeous instrumental of "What Child Is This"--are original compositions by Smith. These compositions overflow with creative vitality, and Smith sings in a strong but tender voice. It must be the magic of the season.
It's no wonder that Smith is extremely satisfied with the outcome. The depth in the music and lyrics give it a timeless quality. That's not to say that you won't find songs with a pop sensibility.
The opening "Christmas Angels" sets the stage by combining all the varied elements heard throughout the CD: choirs, orchestra, Smith's piano playing, pop energy, quiet and crescendos. It's all here in one song.
"Christmas Day" is a beautiful duet with American Idol's Mandisa. The lyrics, written by Wes King and Cindy Morgan, evoke a multitude of images associated with Christmas. It ends with the thought: "Let's light a candle / For peace we pray / Oh merry Christmas / It's Christmas Day."
Another comforting lyric is found on the final track, "All Year Long," on which Bonnie Keen, formerly of First Call, provides a heavenly-sounding harmony vocal. The song is like a benediction that concludes with these words: "If trouble finds you, this is my prayer / May peace guard your heart and make you strong / And I wish you love, the kind to last / All year long."
The excellence of It's a Wonderful Christmas lays to rest any question of whether Smith needed to do a third Christmas recording. This may be the best of the three, and it's one of the best Christmas offerings of the year. It showcases a different side of Smith, one that highlights his ability as a composer. It's also highly original; you won't find too many Christmas releases like this.
Description of It's a Wonderful Christmas
2007 holiday release from one of the most popular Contemporary Christian Music artists of all time. It's A Wonderful Christmas features nine original songs and one standard performed by Michael and a 67-piece orchestra, recorded at London's famous Abbey Road Studios. This album is perhaps the most anticipated seasonal release this year, so don't be left out in the cold without it! Columbia.Christian & Gospel CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Christian & Gospel CDs
![Welcome Home [VHS] Image](/images/Welcome-Home-VHS-6304326335-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ron Kenoly - Welcome Home [VHS]Sony; Release date: 1997-01-21; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.95
![Amy Grant's Old Fashioned Christmas [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
Amy Grant - Amy Grant's Old Fashioned Christmas [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1992-10-06; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $38.80
![Roots of Gospel 1 [VHS] Image](/images/Roots-of-Gospel-1-VHS-6301944860-X.jpg){kind=small}
Roots of Gospel - Roots of Gospel 1 [VHS]Xenon; Release date: 1994-06-07; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.90
Price in other shops:
Bed Bug Bible Gang - Dandy Dreams [VHS]Insp Music; Release date: 2002-10-21; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $44.98
Southern Classic Series - Southern Gospel Alive 2 [VHS]Homeland Records; Release date: 2002-09-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.98
Price in other shops:
Your Path, Buddha's PathAnahata Press; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
Bed Bug Bible Gang - God's Little Heroes [VHS]Insp Music; Release date: 2002-10-21; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
![What's Love Got to Do With It [VHS] Image](/images/What-Love-Got-to-Do-With-It-VHS-1578555051-X.jpg){kind=small}
T.D. Jakes - What's Love Got to Do With It [VHS]Td Jakes; Release date: 2000-05-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $15.95
Price in other shops:
![Gospel According to Al Green [VHS] Image](/images/Gospel-According-to-Al-Green-VHS-1572524049-X.jpg){kind=small}
Gospel According to Al Green [VHS]Winstar; Release date: 1998-12-22; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.62
Price in other shops:
U Kids Favorite Sing-A-LongsMadacy Entertainment Group; Published: 1998-01; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
Chris Tomlin - Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of WorshipRelease date: 2009-10-06; Published: 2009-10-01; Music CD
Best price: $3.51
Price in other shops:
Steven Curtis Chapman - The Music of ChristmasRelease date: 1995-09-26; Published: 1995; Music CD
Best price: $4.07
Price in other shops:
Mercy Me, Mercyme - The Christmas SessionsRelease date: 2005-09-27; Music CD
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops:
Casting Crowns - Peace on EarthRelease date: 2008-10-07; Published: 2008-10-01; Music CD
Best price: $3.59
Price in other shops:
Michael W.Smith - A New HallelujahSpring Arbor/Ingram; Release date: 2008-10-28; Published: 2008-10-28; Music CD
Best price: $6.39
Price in other shops:
Michael W. Smith - WonderRelease date: 2010-09-28; Published: 2010-09-28; Music CD
Best price: $5.49
Price in other shops:
Michael W Smith - FreedomRelease date: 2000-11-21; Music CD
Best price: $5.95
Price in other shops:
Michael W Smith - ChristmastimeHeart Beat Records; Release date: 1998-10-13; Music CD
Best price: $4.09
Price in other shops:
Michael W Smith - Christmas AlbumSMITH,MICHAEL W.; Release date: 1993-09-14; Music CD
Best price: $7.80
Price in other shops:
Michael W. Smith - GloryRelease date: 2011-11-21; Music CD
Best price: $5.95
Price in other shops: