Artists hope to define year with Christmas albums

Why do recording artists make new Christmas albums?

Seriously, three-quarters of them are usually full of songs that have been recorded a quarter of a million times already, and the rest are attempts at new seasonal tunes that are in reality what is known as filler.

So, what does a current recording artist bring to the table that's any better than what Nat King Cole or Bing Crosby did decades ago?

Well, first off, like the rest of us, pop stars like to sing Christmas songs. So, if you can put your own twist on "O Holy Night" your fans will probably buy it. Why not?

New tunes sometimes take root, which comes to mind listening to Casting Crowns' take on Wayne Kirkpatrick's "God Is With Us." And new artists come with new points of view, be it the classical colors of the Annie Moses Band or Sara Groves' brand of Americana.

There are sounds and songs on albums that will define the year.

Here's a look at the best of 2008's Christmas packages from the contemporary Christian crowd.

—Sara Groves, "O Holy Night": Critics' darling, thy name is Sara Groves, and we will not vary from that here. "O Holy Night" is a wide-ranging Christmas package that starts off sounding as if it will be a rootsy exploration of songs about the sacred evening but slowly begins to fold in other experiences such as "To Be with You," a sentimental look at family Christmases, and "Toy Packaging," an unsentimental look at that which sends many a parent's blood pressure soaring at Christmastime. The sonic centerpiece is a "Silent Night" arrangement that spirals into reverberating electric guitars that create a sublime effect, like a sky filled with shooting stars.

—Casting Crowns, "Peace on Earth": The unassuming superstars' Christmas disc succeeds the same way the band succeeds, by being relevant to its audience and thoughtfully made. "While You Were Sleeping" is a prime example, telling the Christmas story of a town that went down in history as having no room and asking whether that's how America will be remembered. There is an amped-up "Joy to the World," giving the DeVevos, guitarist Juan and violinist Melodee, a little room to jam, and a beautiful cover of Kirkpatrick's underrated "God Is With Us," with Megan Garrett delivering a vocal that has Mary Chapin Carpenter-like intimacy.