Chris Tomlin has an early Christmas present for his fans: new music! The Grammy Award-winning singer announces the release of Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship Deluxe, following Emmanuel: God With Us, released in 2021. The new version includes all of the songs from the original record, along with two new songs: “Gloria,” which Tomlin wrote Tyler Hubbard, Dave Barnes and Corey Crowder, and “Emmanuel God With Us,” featuring Anne Wilson.
“Christmas is my favorite time of the year… I love the traditions, Christmas lights, and most of all I love the music,” shared Chris. “I have always found it interesting that this is the only holiday to have its own genre of music… and I think it is because Christmas started with a song, with the announcement of Jesus’ birth. I am so excited to be releasing Emmanuel: Christmas Songs Of Worship Deluxe today.”
The 50-year-old is also celebrating two more Grammy nominations, for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for “Holy Forever,” and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, for Always.
“I am speechless,” Tomlin says on social media of the honor. “To be this far into my career and to still receive this level of support… the only word I can think of is ‘humbled’… First and foremost, as Johann Sebastian Bach initialed his compositions, “Soli Deo gloria”… glory to God alone. Secondly, I would like to congratulate my friends and colleagues who are also nominated. It is an honor to be nominated alongside not only talented people, but incredible people.”
Tomlin has made a name for himself as one of the most prolific songwriters of all time. It’s an honor he takes very seriously, still overwhelmed at how well his music continues to be received, more than 20 years after his debut The Noise We Make came out in 2001.
“I’ve always just had this idea to write,” Tomlin tells Everything Nash, “Even young, I just loved what people would sing. I didn’t even know what the term ‘worship leader’ was or what worship music was. I just loved when I played at church, and people would sing, and so I started trying to write songs that way. And then God just did it all. This was long before there was a publisher, or record companies started using these songs. The songs started being sung around, and I’m just so grateful.”
See a track list for Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship Deluxe below. Find all of Tomlin’s music and tour dates at ChrisTomlin.com.
Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship Deluxe
1. Emmanuel God With Us
2. Christmas Day (with We The Kingdom)
3. All The World Awaits (Hosanna)
4. Hallelujah (with Blessing Offor)
5. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
6. His Name Is Wonderful
7. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
8. Hope Of Israel
9. O Holy Night (with CeCe Winans)
10. Crown Him (Christmas) (with Matt Redman)
11. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
12. Crown Him (Reprise) (with Matt Redman)
13. Gloria
14. Emmanuel God With Us (with Anne Wilson)
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Schmidt Relations / Robby Klein