Although, it’s nearly two months until Christmas, Chris Tomlin has put together a complement of his favorites and some new offerings on Glory In The Highest: Christmas Songs Of Worship. This disc opens with “O Come All Ye Faithful” in a warming embrace of acoustics, simple guitar strumming and a full choir backing his every word rejoicing Jesus Christ’s birth on this classic hymn as Tomlin doesn’t touch a thing honoring its virginal brilliance. Chris makes “Angels We Have Heard On High” into a pop rock concerto ramping up the tempo and adding in some tight hooks, but keeps the traditional harmonies making this still a great song to sing.

“Emmanuel” is wrapped in a truly exuberant blanket of subtle beauty as this ballad is illuminated by his dulcimer tenor and pearly piano accompaniments that shouts out love toward The Lord. He continued with soft and serene lyrics with “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” through an acapella of singers and shimmering keys as it’s a pleasantly endearing anthem. Next was something original from him as he brings us “Good News And Great Joy” as it’s a nice contemporary single with tons of poppy breaks, euphoric chants and snappy melodies that shall get you feeling happy.

Next up was his vigorous interpretation of “Joy To The World” as he gives us his most cheerful vocal on here masterfully sung and makes this sound like a live album with the cherubic chorus and merry moods wanting us to go along for the ride. This release’s title track comes to us with the heart and passion that has always shaped a Chris Tomlin worship effort as “Glory In The Highest” showcased this pretty combination of awesome lyrical quality and angelic choral charm from his backup singers arranged wonderfully around the drums, guitars and ivory touches that could place this cut on the radio immediately. “O Holy Night” however was covered with the gentleness of a sleeping child as it was given a careful touch to its composition and kept to its origin quite well.

If you want a true homage to God, you’ll need to listen to “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” as Tomlin was the conductor while his band of carolers rose their lips up to Heaven sweetly on this one. Yet another new song was dawned upon us with “Light Of The World” as this had a good deal of feedback and soaring refrains tremendously telling us that Christ’s birth was a miracle and that he’s our beacon.

More unexpected material was sent to us with “Winter Snow” as it was a light and gleaming track full of searing alto notations dueting nicely underneath heartfelt sequences bringing a soothing depth on here. Glory In The Highest ends on a high note with “Born That We May Have Life” as it’s beaming with starry chords and uproarious tones flowing throughout this ditty that is the perfect way to finish this off. Chris Tomlin’s take on Christmas songs was refreshing and poignant and should be soothing to put on during this holiday season.