Are you having trouble deciding what to buy your loved ones this Christmas season? Whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer or just a little something extra to give to your friends, we have your back. You can find all kinds of great Christmas gifts just looking at new releases from 2020. From the bestselling books to music you won’t want to miss, here are some good ideas for the holidays.
Have you always wanted to see your favorite country artists joining forces with one of the biggest names in Christian music? “Chris Tomlin & Friends” is the album for you. As for the people on your shopping list, they’ll love collaborative hits like “Who You Are to Me” (featuring Lady A) and “Thank You Lord” (with Thomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line). It’s a new way to enjoy songs praising the Lord while bridging the gap between genres.
One of the most popular songs of the year has to be “The Blessing” by Kari Jobe. This inspiring song serves as the title track for the singer’s newest album, one that is jam-packed with content. The deluxe version of the record has 15 tracks, a runtime of nearly two hours, and a half dozen music videos (the videos are only on the iTunes version). See the video below for one performance version of the album’s much-hyped single.
The people you’re shopping for this Christmas need a little entertainment in their lives and few Christian musicians can do that like Tauren Wells. “Citizen of Heaven” is the talent’s latest CD and one of the year’s biggest in the genre. In addition to the title track (an impressive video for which you can find below), the album boasts the chart-topping song “Famous For (I Believe).”
This year has been unfortunate in that we have been unable to gather in large groups for worship. Maybe your friends and family could use a live album like “Graves Into Gardens” to scratch that itch. Elevation Worship’s latest record is one of the big musical footprints from 2020 and it can be yours today. Enjoy a little taste of what the album delivers by watching the video below.
If you want to give the people on your list a chance to see what’s new in Christian music, we think one of the great Christmas gifts is “Holy Water” from We the Kingdom. The band has been rising through the ranks over the last couple of years, culminating in a nice debut album titled after the group’s biggest song to date. Here’s an acoustic take on the song for your viewing pleasure.
One of the early albums getting airtime in 2020 was “Brand New” from Matthew West. Nobody combines goofiness and heartwarming music quite like this guy. You’ve probably already enjoyed his special songs “Quarantine Life” and “Gobble Gobble” this year, so you might as well check in for his more traditional stuff like “The God Who Stays” and “Truth Be Told.” West’s music can be a blessing for any friend or family member this season.
With over 8,000 ratings on Amazon, Jennie Allen’s “Get Out of Your Head” is probably the most successful new book of the year and one you should consider for your gifting needs. It’s all about taking our thoughts captive and changing our attitude as we encounter the everyday world. If you haven’t read this one or know someone who hasn’t, now might be the time to pass it along.
Giving Christian books at Christmas can be difficult because so many center around overcoming trials or moving beyond trauma. If you do have someone on your list who fits the bill for Lysa TerKeurst’s new book, however, it could be the perfect gift. The author teaches the reader how to understand the Biblical meaning of forgiveness and enables us by providing practical tips to restore relationships.
Looking for great Christmas gifts for the contemplative person in your life? “Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortlund is a heartfelt journey through the mind and love of Christ. So many of our books today are about understanding ourselves better, but what about trying to attain a stronger grasp of who God is? After all, when we get to where we know who God is, it will have an important effect on how we view ourselves.
Max Lucado has such an incredible ability to pump out bestseller after bestseller, you could easily make his new books the great Christmas gifts you distribute each year. In a time when we are all spending so much time in our own homes, the message of “You Are Never Alone” is more important than ever. God is walking alongside you wherever you go, no matter your circumstances.
A newcomer to the writing game is Allie Beth Stuckey, a cultural commentator who has authored a popular new book that’s especially meant for young people. For college students and young adults on your Christmas list, consider a book that speaks into the self-love culture of the day. It might ruffle some feathers, but we all need that every now and then.
No list of great Christmas gifts is complete without a good novel for our fiction lovers. Charles Martin is one of the best known names in Christian fiction and this year he started a new series with “The Water Keeper.” It follows the journey of a lonely man who maintains the grounds for a dying church and is pulled into the story of modern-day slavery. Few gifts can beat the call to adventure found in the pages of this book.
These are but a few of the great Christmas gifts in Christian music and books you can consider this holiday season. We promise we won’t tell if you choose to get one or more of these for yourself. Just don’t forget to take care of your friends and family members.
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