Hi friends. We’ve spent the past few days hanging out in Florida, playing a few shows and enjoying the sun. It’s hard to believe that Christmas is approaching so rapidly when you’re in Florida. But it is!
I’m not usually a big fan of Christmas music. Working in retail for too many years at Christmastime results in an overload of cheesy music. BUT this year I’ve found some really lovely music. So lovely in fact that I thought I’d share it with you. Some of it happens to be free.
Joel Rakes – Festive Mood Inducing Music Vols. 1-5. Our good friend Joel releases about 5 Christmas songs every year and gives them away for free. Joel’s a great friend, lovely musician, and he’s a stud, so you’ll probably want to check him out. You can listen to 15+ songs here.
Sara Groves – O Holy Night Tour Live: The Prison Show. Sara and band recorded a live show in a women’s prison. Not only is Sara Groves amazing live, she has some really fun renditions of classic Christmas songs. We’ve been listening to this one a lot. And, it’s also free. Check it out here.
Sufjan Stevens – Songs for Christmas. This lovely little box set includes lots of fun original Christmas songs by Sufjan. It’s a mellow little collection. The perfect accompaniment to fireside chatter and hot chocolate. Check it out here.
Blood:Water Mission Christmas Compilation 2010. Blood:Water Mission was founded by Jars of Clay. It is a grassroots organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crises in Africa. We’re honored to have “Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light” included on this year’s compilation. You can download the songs over at Brite Revolution. If you’re in the Nashville area you can pick up a copy at Edgehill Studios Cafe. It’s $10 and 100% of the proceeds go to Blood:Water Mission.
Music City Unsigned Family Christmas. We love this CD and if you haven’t checked it out yet, you should. You can download three songs for free here.
Sandra McCracken – In Feast or Fallow. This isn’t technically Christmas music, but it’s certainly truth-filled and I love it. My favorite track is Give Reviving. This is a beautiful collection of modern hymns and I highly suggest you give it a listen. Here it is over at the itunes store.
And of course, our Christmas EP Love Came Down is available over at our store. Download and enjoy!
-jenny
I wholeheartedly agree with Sara, Sufjan, BW, and Sandra. I’ll have to check out the other stuff, too. Sara’s studio album where many of those songs got a studio treatment is on sale at amazon for $5 now, too. Just sayin’.
Yes!!! More Christmas music! And FREE! I’m so excited! I hope y’all are doing well.
I just want to thank Jenny and Tyler for the worship music you have put on youtube! It is so rare to have artists make music that reaches the world. Thank you for standing up for Christ! Well done with being faithful with what He has given you to glorify Him with!
Thanks so much Blake!