Thinking of You This Christmas (1988)

Thinking of You This Christmas is the ninth studio and Christmas album by

Christian singer - songwriter Chris Christian, originally released on October 18, 1988 by Home Sweet Home/Word Records. Christian produced and arranged the album himself.

Originally released on CD and cassette tape, Thinking of You This Christmas contains some previously released tracks, holiday songs and new Christmas recordings. Included are "God Bless the Children" and "Christmas All Year 'Round" (the vocal duet with Charlene) that was originally featured in the 1983 various artists Christmas album Contemporary Christmas Classics. The title song, with guest vocals by Bob Breunig (who was a linebacker for the NFL team Dallas Cowboys), was originally recorded two years prior to this album and appeared in a 1986 Dallas Cowboys charity Christmas album that Christian produced. Christian's two daughters Courtney and Casey Noel lend their voices to sing "Jingle Bells" with Courtney (who was five years old) singing the full version and Casey Noel (who was three) singing the quick reprise.

In 2020, Thinking of You This Christmas was reissued and remastered and jointly released on CD by Christian's record label Home Sweet Home and Retroactive Records as part of The Legend Series. In addition to the original 12 tracks, it contains four bonus tracks, including a re-worked version of "What Child Is This," that originally appeared on a 1985 various artists Christmas sampler LP A Home

Sweet Home Christmas that was arranged by John Andrew Schreiner, with saxophone added and "Gift of Love" performed by The Boone Girls, originally from the various artists 1979 project On This Christmas Night. The CD booklet contains photos and liner notes written by Christian himself with a track by track commentary.

Track listing on the 1988 original release

1. O Come All Ye Faithful (John Francis Wade) -2:28

2. Thinking of You This Christmas (guest vocals by Bob Breunig) (Chris Christian)

-3:45

3. Jingle Bells (featuring Courtney Smith) (James Lord Pierpont) -2:57

4. Jingle Bells (featuring Casey Noel Smith) (reprise) -0:18

5. Christmas With Children (Chris Christian) -4:08

6. White Christmas (instrumental with saxophone solo by Ron Jones) (Irving

Berlin) -3:15

7. On This Very Special Day (Chris Christian) -4:22

8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (William H. Cummings, Felix Mendelssohn,

Charles Wesley) -2:35

9. Christmas All Year 'Round (vocal duet with Charlene) (Dwight Liles) -4:22

10. Silent Night (guest vocals by Janice Archer Cruse and the Dallas Cowboys

Cheerleaders) -3:52

11. God Bless the Children (Chris Christian, Shanon Smith) -3:08

12. Away in a Manger (featuring Courtney Smith and Casey Noel Smith)

(traditional; arranged by Chris Christian) -2:49

Previous release: No Lyrics (1988) (instrumental album) 

Next release: Focus (1989)