Ghost
by Crowder
For two years in a row now, I was very close to including some of Crowder's music on my list. Much of his music falls into the category of anthemic contemporary praise and worship, as evidenced by his collaboration through the years with Passion (this song is also featured by Passion), but his musical and lyrical creativity is certainly noteworthy. Furthermore, over time he has turned more toward embracing the Folktronica element within his music, yielding some very interesting results. "Ghost" is one of his most interesting songs to date because it definitely has the feel of anthemic praise and worship song, yet it is also very much defined by his creative exploration of abstract themes. His new album, I Know A Ghost, plays with people's popular understanding of ghosts to speak about the notion of Resurrection from the dead, as well as the classic way of referring to the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Ghost. It simultaneously evokes a sense of holy fear, as well as a sense of confidently overcoming ordinary fear of harm, since we have the One who conquered death on our side, indeed even living within us. The closing track brings this concept into a Crowder-style anthem of praise, inviting the entire listening congregation into that medley of holy fear and confidence. "Get Ready. There's a Ghost in the room."
Reckless Love
by Cory Asbury
My first exposure to this song was this past summer, while traveling with our parish youth ministry group to a Steubenville Youth Conference. The sentimental connection to this profound moment of prayer and praise, filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit, will always be a part of the effect this song has on me personally. However, when I returned home, I found myself looking it up and listening to it again and again. What a beautiful celebration of the reckless and relentless love of our Heavenly Father, who never gives up on us, but keeps pursuing our distant hearts. The song speaks for itself. Listen to it. Pray with it. Celebrate it.
Harmony Humility
by Brother Isaiah
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Poco a Poco, the new album from Brother Isaiah, of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (http://franciscanfriars.com/), is beautiful and delightful from beginning to end. Just about any track could be included on this list. "Harmony Humility" describes well why this album is such a gem, as it seems to reflect the album's musical approach, while also communicating a deep and powerful truth. There is a kind of humility required in embracing the part that we are called to play in a harmony, in order to bring forth a glimpse of the beauty of God's design. This profound, yet necessarily simple, truth has implications for our moral lives, as well as our vocational discernment. Embracing the unique part we are called to play in God's great harmony requires humility, as does the choice of embracing moral guidance that sometimes goes against our personal preferences. But, the beauty of the harmony is far greater than we can imagine.
Christmas Eve
by Gwen Stefani
This one is definitely not a "church song," but is a new Christmas song that I didn't want to miss the opportunity to include on this list, especially since it seems to be a prayer. Every year, beginning in the later days of Advent, I find it very interesting to sample some of the new Christmas albums recently released - a market that is even more over-saturated than superhero movies! As one who remembers well the days of my youth, when I was struck by the beautiful voice of Gwen Stefani on No Doubt's "Don't Speak," I couldn't help but give this one a shot! The payoff comes, if not before, with a lovely little surprise at the end of the album. "Christmas Eve" is a beautiful illustration of how the beauty we encounter in the Christmas Season, at the end of a year that has surely had its ups and downs, leads us to turn our eyes and hearts back to the Lord for redemption and hope. This song would be a worthy addition to your Christmas and Holiday playlists.
The First Christmas
by Tenth Avenue North (ft. Zach Williams)
Perhaps some of you discovered Tenth Avenue North's Decade the Halls, Vol. 1 last year, when it came out. I'm late to the party, I know. But, Tenth Avenue North has given us yet another reason to respect and admire them for their creativity, as they chose to approach their Christmas album as a tribute to one hundred years worth of musical styles. Beginning with the 1920's and ending on the 2010's, each track is done in a style reflective of a specific decade. This whole album is an absolute delight! The track that seems most noteworthy, however, is the 1950's style song "The First Christmas." The song plays like a carefree holiday track from 50's rockers, while calling us to turn our hearts even further back. It is a celebration of the fact that on that first Christmas day, we did not need the external trappings, without which Christmas so often feels incomplete to many of us. Instead, we got what we need. The beautiful irony of such a song, which plays like another delightful addition to these trappings is striking. If your playlists feature whole albums, add the whole album to yours. If you prefer to build them one song at a time, don't forget "The First Christmas!"
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