Contemporary Christian rock band Newsboys has released Christmas: A Newsboys Holiday to Christian stores across the USA, and the first single off the CD is O Holy Night. Now, to be completely honest, I wasn’t sure about the Newsboys’ O Holy Night being a good selection, because, quite frankly, while O Holy Night completely captures the essence of Christmas – it’s all about Jesus! – there are just too many versions of O Holy Night, and there are many amazing versions, including David Phelps, Jody McBrayer, Mandisa, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Josh Groban, ‘N Sync, Jennifer Hudson, Tevin Campbell, and Celine Dion, among many others. Could Michael Tait et al be able to pull it off?
Two words: they can.
Newsboys’ O Holy Night doesn’t dazzle with vocal pyrotechnics; it doesn’t sizzle with post-recording effects. What the O Holy Night version of Newsboys has is heart. I believe Michael Tait when he sings “Praise His Name forever.” I believe the members of the band believe Jesus is their raison d’etre. And their lives and career are living testaments to God’s grace and glory. End of day, I think the celebration of Christmas happens daily in our little victories, when our actions glorify His Name. This pleasant version of O Holy Night is one such victory. Good job, Newsboys.
