Carrie Underwood Brings Christmas Carols to Life
Not all holiday performances carry the same magic. Some drift into the background, while others seem to crystallize the very essence of the season.
When Carrie Underwood performs, time slows, familiar melodies feel renewed, and even well-loved carols reveal layers of emotion previously unnoticed. Her recent Christmas work has left viewers reconsidering what it truly means to experience these songs.
Few artists can summon the spirit of a classic hymn like Underwood. In 2020, she released My Gift, her seventh studio album and first fully devoted to Christmas music.
Produced by Greg Wells, the album blends timeless carols with original compositions and features memorable collaborations, including John Legend on “Hallelujah” and a touching duet with her eldest son, Isaiah, on “The Little Drummer Boy.”
Later that year, Underwood brought the album to life in My Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie Underwood, which premiered on HBO Max.
The special combined live performances of the album’s highlights, intimate behind-the-scenes moments with Isaiah, and solo tracks like “Favorite Time of Year,” creating an immersive and heartfelt holiday experience.
Recording “The Little Drummer Boy” with her son became the emotional centerpiece of the project. Underwood has said that the album’s title, My Gift, was inspired by this collaboration.
Isaiah’s enthusiasm and love for singing infused the track with a natural warmth, producing a keepsake both mother and son will cherish forever. For fans, it’s a rare glimpse of a family sharing the joy of music in its purest form.
The album balances beloved holiday standards with original material, making it stand out even for listeners who don’t usually seek out seasonal music.
Underwood’s approach to carols is particularly remarkable: her voice carries both technical mastery and emotional depth, qualities also evident on her gospel album, My Savior.
This is especially clear in her live rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful” from the HBO special. With roots tracing back centuries to John Francis Wade and Cistercian monks, and later translated by Frederick Oakeley in the 19th century, the hymn is central to Christmas tradition.
Underwood’s performance, flowing white gown and all, transforms it into a transcendent musical moment—honoring its history while adding her signature emotional resonance.
Conclusion
Carrie Underwood’s My Gift and her live interpretation of “O Come All Ye Faithful” demonstrate why she remains one of today’s most compelling voices.
Through her artistry, she elevates familiar songs into profound experiences of joy, reflection, and connection. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, Underwood’s work captures the essence of Christmas, leaving an emotional impression that endures far beyond the holiday season.