I wasn't overly familiar with Jewel before buying this disc, but picked it up based on reviews here. I own well over 100 Christmas CDs -- so I'm not easy to impress. However, Jewel's voice is a gift, and she uses it extremely well in this bound-to-become-a-classic collection. It's moving, poignant and, most of all, sincere. It's not overly done, so as to let her voice shine through. The arrangements are lovely.

I highly recommend this disc.

Jewel presents a Christmas CD that is both traditional and at the same time new, and is pure magic to listen to.

The first half of the CD is traditional songs, both sacred and secular, performed in a mostly traditional fashion. The beauty of this section is that the arrangements are minimalist and unique, making them seem fresh even if we've listened to other people do them every year of our lives. I especially like the guitar on "O Holy Night." And, as you'd expect, Jewel's voice shines on every song.

The second half gets into more uncharted territory, but it's still great stuff. She does two almost a cappella duets with her mother on "Rudolph" and "I Wonder as I Wander." The first one is great fun. My only complaint with the second is that they repeat the first verse three times instead of doing the other two verses.

We also get some original songs in the second half. My favorite is "Face of Love," which again features a duet with her mom. It talks about a life changed because of seeing the baby Jesus. "Life Uncommon" (featured in a melody) and "Hands" both encourage us to spread the joy all year round. I wasn't aware at first listen that "Gloria" was original. Written in Latin, it sounds like some classical music you'd hear this time of year.

I didn't get this CD until last year, but it felt like Christmas right away. If you've enjoyed Jewel's other music, even marginally, get it. You'll enjoy it for years to come.

...but I will happily credit her with one of the finest Christmas CD's I've ever heard. In my collection, I have just under 80 Christmas CD's, ranging from classic Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra to Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith to Nat "King" Cole & Glenn Miller. I have numerous discs from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Boston Pops & London Symphony Orchestras, and the Westminster Boys' Choir. In short, I've heard a LOT of holiday music from hundreds of singers, groups, and composers. Jewel's effort ranks with the best of them. I've often been completely disgusted with the works of pop artists who, for whatever reason, release holiday albums. I loathe performances of Christmas standards that are utterly destroyed by a pop/country/R&B/etc. artist who feels the need to put his/her "spin" on a familiar tune. More often than not, the result is a musical quagmire that slaughters the classic tune. However, Jewel refrains from taking that approach, instead presenting each song in a traditional manner and sounding downright angelic in the process. I am very impressed with this album and with the voice and range of this young lady. Only the child-oriented "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" keeps me from giving this album another star. I don't give advice to others concerning what music they should buy, but I will say that as one who owns and has listened to an extensive variety of Christmas music, I rank this CD in my top 5 of all time.

This CD from Jewel has to be the best Christmas album I've ever heard. Her voice is astonishing, and is showcased here in a wide range of styles- from mellow, to operatic (as in her renditions of Ave Maria and Gloria). Her range is also incredible. I love her new re-make of Hands, and it reflects the tremendous growth as an artist, that she has gone through since her first album. I still get goosebumps every time I listen to this CD, even after 30 times or so. Indeed, she has the voice of a Christmas angel.

I wasn't really a big Jewel fan, but this album has won me over. Give her credit...she is willing to try new arrangements on some tired old Christmas songs (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) and it works. Her voice throughout is wonderful and the arrangements are first-rate.

The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was that I wasn't too enamored of her decision to include some of her own stuff and her inclusion of "From a Distance." When I buy a Christmas album I want Christmas music. That said it is still a great CD and will provide variety to you Christmas collection.