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Music Review: The Advent of Christmas, by Matt Maher

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The Advent of Christmas, by Matt Maher (album, 2018)

With the music of The Advent of Christmas, Matt Maher delivers a feast of Christmas songs old and new, quietly worshipful and rollicking fun. (I think it was “Little Merry Christmas” that had me dancing on the treadmill at the gym—and which also has some clever wordplay.) There’s also the haunting “When I Think of Christmas.”

With some of the old standards, I love the way he weaves new colours into the original songs. I confess to finding the traditional “The First Noel” tedious with its repetition. This version keeps enough of the original to carry the story while bringing new lyrics to refresh it. There’s one spot where instead of finishing a line, he sings “Born is the King…” and the instruments carry the melody for “of Israel.” Anyone who knows the song will finish the line in their head, becoming part of the song.

My most-loved songs on the album are “He Shall Reign Forevermore,” “Born on That Day,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Always Carry You (with Amy Grant),” “Love Came Down to Bethlehem,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”…. There’s not a weak song on the album, and they all have a solid place in my playlist.

This has been my favourite Christmas album for the past few years, and I highly recommend it. The physical CD is sold out on his site and possibly on Amazon, but the album is available for download or streaming at the standard outlets. Give it a listen and let it become part of your Christmas this year.

Award-winning artist Matt Maher has released multiple albums and is the writer behind songs like “Lord, I Need You,” “Hold Us Together,” and  “Because He Lives (Amen).” He has also written a children’s book, also titled  The Advent of Christmas. For more about him or to view videos of his music, visit https://mattmahermusic.com/about/

[Review copy from my personal playlist.]

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Review: The Advent of Christmas, CD by Matt Maher

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The Advent of Christmas, by Matt Maher

The Advent of Christmas, by Matt Maher (Essence Records, 2018)

This new Christmas album from Matt Maher mixes songs of worship with others that are just plain fun. Christmas, after all, is a time for both.

I love this album and would put it in my top three for Christmas. The musical styles are diverse, so don’t sample one or two tracks and think you have a feel for it all.

A bit about the songs:

  • “Gabriel’s Message” leads off, slow and haunting.
  • “He Shall Reign Forevermore” melds the traditional hymn “In the Bleak Midwinter” with a new chorus and tune. It’s beautiful, and you may be singing it in your church this season. One of my three favourites on this album.
  • “Born on that Day” is a new one, with a soft rock feel. It’s my new favourite Christmas song.
  • “Jingle Bells” has a jazz/swing feel in a Michael Bublé style. This is a song I usually ignore, but not this time!
  • “The First Noel” is another song I wouldn’t ordinarily pick, because usually it feels like it drags on and on… Not this time. A new chorus replaces the endless “Noel, Noel” and I like it. It’s slow, gentle, reflective.
  • “Hope for Everyone” has a simple rhythm and repetition that makes me think of a campfire song.
  • “Glory (Let there be Peace)” is the first to encourage us “do not be afraid”.
  • “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a song I always like, despite its minor key. This version includes a new chorus of hope and encouragement.
  • “Always Carry You” (featuring Amy Grant). Okay, this one’s going on my playlist year-round, and has become very special to me. It’s another “do not be afraid” song, reflective in nature, and although it comes from the perspective of Mary later in life looking back at Jesus’ birth, it’s a song worshippers can make our own.
  • “Love Came Down to Bethlehem” is meditative and reflective.
  • “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” has a new chorus and a driving beat. You may hear it on Christian radio.
  • “Little Merry Christmas” is straight-out kitchen party, complete with some clever lyrics. This one might get you dancing.
  • “When I Think of Christmas” ends the album on a softer, nostalgic note.

The Advent of Christmas is available for download through the usual stores, and as a physical cd as well. Every track carries its weight well and contributes to the whole, so don’t short-change yourself by only buying a few pieces.

Award-winning singer/songwriter Matt Maher has also released a children’s book with the same title. You can see more about the book here: goodreads.com/book/show/41785402-the-advent-of-christmas. For more about Matt Maher, visit mattmahermusic.com.

[Review copy from my personal library.]