Track Listing

1. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
2. O Come All Ye Faithful
3. Joy To The World
4. While You Were Sleeping
5. Silent Night
6. God Is With Us
7. Away In A Manger
8. Christmas Offering
9. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1158 in Music
• Released on: 2008-10-07
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

CD Description
Following the highly successful 'The Altar and The Door' album and tour, GRAMMY Award winning group Casting Crowns is releases it's first Christmas record titled 'Peace On Earth'. Known for their life-changing ministry of renewal and discipleship, Casting Crowns continue that mission with this album of songs dedicated to the meaning behind this holy season.

Customer Reviews

Managed Expectations Make This a Good Christmas CD
When I heard Casting Crowns was releasing a Christmas CD, I couldn't wait. I love their music for taking the familiar and making me look at it in a fresh way. So when I got this CD I was a little disappointed with the play list. It is mostly familiar carols. But once I started listening to it, that feeling went away.

Yes, the familiar carols are here and are plentiful. Yet they sound beautiful. There are gorgeous harmonies on "O Come All Ye Faithful." The guitar is fun on "Joy to the World." "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" gets a new melody. With a string background, it sounds like a lullaby. And the instrumental version of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is absolutely breathtaking. It is written for violin but the interplay between it and the piano (and to a lesser extent the orchestra) is haunting.

Only one song on here is truly new. "Christmas Offering" is a praise song, and I truly enjoy it. I've only heard "God is with Us" recorded one other place, by Amy Grant on the Gloria project. This version doesn't stray far away from the original. In fact, it is sung entirely by one of the female members of the group.

And that brings us to "While You Were Sleeping." When I first heard them sing it on LIFESONG, I thought it sounded like a Christmas song. Apparently, it originally was. The only change here is the second verse. Instead of going to Jerusalem, it focuses on the hardships of Mary and the baby that first night. The song sounds the same. And it includes the third verse that focuses on America. I'm still not a fan of that verse, but I have softened to it some over the years.

But I've saved the best for last. The disc opens with a new melody for "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," including a new chorus sung by a boy's choir. It really makes the song come alive in a new way.

I wish they had taken the time to write a few more original tracks for this disc. But what is here is certainly enjoyable. I know I will listen to this CD for many years to come.

Something different
Peace On Earth
We have sons in their twenties and I felt we should have some more up-to-date Christmas music. This included new songs and more traditional carols to modern settings. I would recommend it, it met all our requirements.

casting crowns
I came across the Casting Crowns on AOL Radio one evening and now I am a
fan . Their music is lively and tells a story. I have all their albums and
have put them on my pod for inspiration when I am Running.