Brandon Heath

Christmas Is Here
Provident Label Group LLC

Brandon Heath’s 2013 Christmas release “Christmas Is Here” might be overlooked based on the strength of its interpretations of traditional Christmas songs. While certainly acceptable, these sometimes string-heavy arrangements are not the kinds of tunes that we all love and expect from Heath, although even here gems can be found, such as the bluegrass-flavored “In the Bleak Midwinter.”

It’s the original tunes, “Just a Girl,” “The Day After Thanksgiving” and “Momma Wouldn’t Lie To Me” that make this record a candidate for your Christmas music rotation. These are classic Heath — witty, touching, well performed and just fun to listen to. “Just a Girl” may be the best of these, chronicling the very human events surrounding the birth of God incarnate, our Savior Jesus.

While it may not be Heath’s best work, in this crowded field of Christmas music it certainly deserves a listen.