The Spirit of Christmas is a duet Christmas album by Christian singer -songwriter Michael W. Smith, released on September 30, 2014 by Sparrow and Capitol Records. This would be his final album on the Capitol Christian Music Group as he went independent on future releases.
It is Smith's fourth Christmas album overall following up his 2007 Christmas album It's a Wonderful Christmas and features duets with several country music artists like Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Jennifer Nettles, Martina McBride, Little Big Town and Lady A. Other artists include Amy Grant, Michael McDonald and Bono of the alternative rock band U2. Bono is featured in spoken word on the track "The Darkest Midnight." Several songs were released as singles mainly to Christian radio. Smith co-produced the album with David Hamilton and Robert Deaton.
The Spirit of Christmas topped the Top Christian Albums and Top Holiday Albums charts and peaked at number 16 on the Top 200 Album chart in Billboard magazine. The album won a Dove Award for Christmas Album of the Year at the 46th GMA Dove Awards.
Track listing
1. The Miracle of Christmas (instrumental) (Michael W. Smith) -1:43
2. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Edward Pola, George Wyle) -2:39
3. Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season (Irving Berlin/Kay Thompson) -3:07
4. Christmas Time is Here (with Vince Gill) (Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson) -3:00
5. White Christmas (with Lady A) (Irving Berlin) -3:49
6. Somewhere in My Memory (with Audrey Smith and the Nashville Children's Choir) (John Williams,
Leslie Bricusse) -3:21
7. The Spirit of Christmas (instrumental medley) (traditional; arranged by Michael W. Smith)
-Deck the Halls/Good King Wenceslas/O Little Town of Bethlehem/Feels Like Christmas/O Come All Ye
Faithful -5:21
8. Silent Night (with Little Big Town) (traditional; arranged by Michael W. Smith) -4:18
9. What Child Is This (with Martina McBride) (William Chatterton Dix) -4:20
10. Almost There (with Amy Grant) (Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Wes King) -3:38
11. All Is Well (with Carrie Underwood) (Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick) -3:55
12. Christmas Day (with Jennifer Nettles) (Michael W. Smith, Wes King, Cindy Morgan) -3:13
13. The Darkest Midnight (spoken word by Bono) (arranged by Michael W. Smith) -1:39
14. Peace (guest vocals by Michael McDonald) (MIchael McDonald, Beth Nielsen Chapman) -3:11
Accolades
Dove Award -Christmas Album of the Year (The Spirit of Christmas)
Radio singles
2014 -2015 "All Is Well" featuring Carrie Underwood -#6 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, #22 Billboard Christian Airplay, #30 Billboard Christian AC Airplay
2014 -2015 "Almost There" featuring Amy Grant -#27 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, #35 Billboard Christian Airplay
2014 -2015 "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" -#38 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, #24 Billboard Christian Airplay, #13 Billboard Christian AC Airplay
2014 -2015 "White Christmas" featuring Lady A -#39 Billboard Hot Christian Songs
2014 -2015 "Silent Night" featuring Little Big Town -#48 Billboard Hot Christian Songs
2015 "Christmas Day" featuring Jennifer Nettles -#49 Billboard Hot Christian Songs
2015 "Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season" -#39 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, #22
Billboard Christian Airplay
Next release: Hymns II - Shine on Us (2016)