Michael W. Smith & Friends
The Spirit of Christmas

Give Michael W. Smith points for not laying it on too thick. His milieu may be contemporary Christian music (I say “milieu” because “ghetto” sounds too Scrooge-like), but his third Christmas album is nicely balanced between the Jesus stuff and secular songs like “Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season” and “White Christmas”. Smith is no Bing Crosby, or even Andy Williams, but he has a nice lightweight croon. His “friends” include folks from the country and CCM worlds, including Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood. Also Bono, for some reason. Probably the Jesus thing.