Various

City on a Hill: It’s Christmas Time
(Essential Records)

Essential Records has brought together a number of today’s most popular artists for a third album in the “City on a Hill” series.

Groups like Sixpence None the Richer, Third Day, Caedmon’s Call, Jars of Clay and Out of Eden have joined forces to produce one of the season’s most compelling Christmas albums.

Like the other “City on a Hill” projects, “It’s Christmas Time” is a very organic, grass-roots type of album.

The artists on the album have combined their voices and songwriting abilities to produce thoughtful songs that reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. This community approach seems particularly appropriate as the artists rejoice in the birth that has brought life to them all.

“It’s Christmas Time” is not what many would consider a traditional Christmas album. It includes several traditional carols like “In the Bleak Midwinter” performed by the Paul Colman Trio and “O Holy Night” performed by Michael Tait and Sixpence None the Richer’s Leigh Nash.

The essence of the album, however, defines what the Christmas holiday means for many Christians today.

It reminds us that Christmas is a time to share in the joyous event of Christ’s birth.