The Christmas Shoes
Veteran Christian band Newsong decided to include the  sentimental ballad, "Christmas Shoes," as a bonus track on 2000'sSheltering Tree,  unaware that the almost O. Henry-esque tale about a young boy  attempting to buy a pair of shoes as a Christmas present for his dying  mother would blow up into a massive hit. So overwhelming was the  response to that song (it landed atop Billboard's Adult Contemporary  Chart) that the group decided to fashion an entire holiday album around  it, naturally titling itChristmas Shoes. In addition to the  heart-wrenching title track, the contemporary Christian rockers serve  up some beautifully arranged versions of cherished favorites such as  "Away in the Manger/God Rest Ye, Merry Gentleman," "The First Noel,"  and "What Child Is This," as well as an impish, rather histrionic  version of "You're a Mean One, Mr.Grinch" which should tickle the  underage set. Newsong have also written a number of well-crafted,  infectious holiday songs that don't bludgeon you with heavy-handed  inspirational messages, but instead shine brightly with the true spirit  of the holiday.--Jaan Uhelszki