A package blurb says "Christian & Country artists offer Christmas favorites inspired by the film," which might make you think these are new songs written in connection with "The Nativity Story" movie. However, it's probably more correct to say this is a collection of songs that fit the tone and mood of the film, because most were written and recorded years earlier. Jaci Velasquez sets the tone with "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," Points of Grace adds a joyful "For Unto Us," and few people do "Breath of Heaven" better than Amy Grant, who co-wrote it. Jo Dee Messina, Kenny Rogers and Wynonna, Mark Schultz and LeAnn Rimes. — C.W.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Putumayo Presents New Orleans Christmas" (Putumayo)

Put some swing into the season with "New Orleans Christmas." This 11-cut album is a soundtrack for the hippest Christmas party ever — Big Al Carson, Lars Edegran & His Santa Claus Revelers' Dixieland take on "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," Ingrid Lucia does "'Zat You Santa Claus?" and Ellis Marsalis' piano hop of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" gets the listener in the holiday spirit. — S.I.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Simply Christmas: Home for the Holidays" (Sony)

If you're looking for a softer, gentler place to celebrate the holidays, this collection of beautiful instrumental selections can take you there. A compilation of previously recorded material, it offers holiday perennials "Silent Night," "O Christmas Tree," "The Little Drummer Boy" and "O Come, All Ye Faithful" in addition to selections of classical works inspired by the season. — C.W.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "A Very Special Charlie Brown Holiday Collection" (Concord Records)

Created exclusively for the United States Postal Service (which maybe relates well to Charlie Brown at this time of year), this collection includes several selections off previous Charlie Brown albums as well as a few new offerings. The David Benoit Trio serves up a fun new rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and their "Jingle Bells" also has a lot of holiday sparkle. The Vince Guaraldi Trio performs several standards, including "Linus and Lucy," "The Christmas Song" and "Greensleeves." Vanessa Williams and Toni Braxton provide vocals on "Just Like Me" and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." — C.W.

ANDREAS VOLLENWEIDER; "Midnight Clear" (Kin Kou)

New-age harpist Andreas Vollenweider has known singer/songwriter Carly Simon for more than 25 years, and they team up for the harpist's holiday album. Simon's trademark vocals are the highlights of such arrangements of "Midnight Clear," "Suspended Note," "Forgive" and "Hymn to the Secret Heart." The harpist goes at it with his studio musicians in instrumental works of "The Holly and the Ivy," "Over the Hills and Over the Vale," "The Coventry Carol," "The Wexford Carol" and "What Child Is This?" — S.I.

WYNONNA; "A Classic Christmas" (CURB)

A bit of guitar here and there is the only clue that Wynonna makes her living as a country artist. Well, there's also her throaty voice, and you get a few more country leanings on her original "It's the Messiah," but for the most part this is a straight-forward collection of traditional Christmas songs. Included are "Winter Wonderland," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "White Christmas" and "Silent Night." — C.W.