It’s Christmastime already in the Christian music market. As is the case in all areas of contemporary music, Christmas releases have become a vital and successful genre unto themselves. Part artistic outlet, part breather between studio releases, and sometimes even a career booster (think Mannheim Steamroller), very few artists these days miss the chance to roast some musical chestnuts at least once or twice. Here are some highlights from the season ahead.

      On October 31, Word Records released The Nativity Story: Sacred Songs, a "film-inspired" album tied to the New Line Cinema movie The Nativity Story. The movie stars Keisha Castle-Hughes and chronicles the story of Mary and Joseph up through the birth of Christ.

      The compilation project of mostly previously released tracks features big-name Christian and country artists such as Amy Grant - "Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)," Point Of Grace - "For Unto Us," Kenny Rogers & Wynonna - "Mary, Did You Know?" and LeAnn Rimes - "O Holy Night." A brand new multi-artist recording, "The Virgin’s Lullaby," featuring Natalie Grant and David Phelps, among others, will be brought to Christian and mainstream AC radio in November. Word will also distribute The Nativity Story: Original Score to Christian retailers in December.

      Todd Agnew attempts a unique spin on the concept with the just-released Do You See What I See? Instead of a collection of traditional holiday tunes, Agnew tells the story of Christ’s birth over the course of sequential tracks.

      Artists such as Anthony Evans, Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave, Vince Lichlyter of Jonah 33 and Christy Nockels of Watermark lend their vocal support in the roles of, respectively, the angel, Simeon, Joseph and Mary. This project also features a multi-artist track on the final "In The First Light."

      Instrumentalists will not be overlooked this year as Autumn Records released Christmas Treasures, A McPherson Guitars Instrumental Collection on October 18. The set features eight top guitarists—Phil Keaggy, Mark Baldwin, Dave Cleveland, Bruce Gaitsch, Tom Hemby, Michael Hodge, Michael Ripoli and McPherson Guitars founder and designer Matt McPherson—performing Christmas carols on the namesake acoustic guitars.

      Featured classics include "Away In The Manger," "Coventry Carol," "Little Drummer Boy" and "We Three Kings." Additional featured instruments include piano, Irish whistle, harmonica, drums and bass.

      Touring is also a large component to the holiday rush and so far the following treks have been confirmed.

      Natalie Grant, current reigning Female Vocalist of the Year from this year’s GMA Dove Awards, launches her annual Christmas Believe tour with support from Anthony Evans and local church choirs from each town on the itinerary.

      Grant kicks things off with an appearance on the Polar Express float in the Macy’s Day Parade on November 23. Then she stays in the New York area to launch the tour at the Faith Assembly of God church in Poughkeepsie on November 25 and the Nokia Theater in New York City on November 26. The tour wraps in Denver on December 16.

      Keeping with the title of his most recent—and recently Gold certified—release, Diversity City, Toby Mac headlines a diverse group of artists on the Winter Wonder Slam tour. Supported by Hawk Nelson, the Afters, Family Force 5 and Ayiesha Woods, the Mac tour hits 16 markets from November 24 through December 16. Artists will perform their own hits along with Christmas fare.

      The tour benefits the Toys for Tots program of the U.S. Marine Corps. The program provides gifts to impoverished children, and those attending the concert are encouraged to bring unwrapped gifts for that purpose. Last year Winter Slam set a new tour record for the amount of gifts collected for Toys for Tots.

      Finally, Newsong presents a new holiday trek with the 2006 Christmas Hope tour. Co-headlining is the previously mentioned Todd Agnew and singer Rachael Lampa and author Donna VanLiere will also appear.

      Newsong has just released its second holiday CD, aptly named The Christmas Hope, and all the artists will perform selections from that release and Agnew’s Do You See What I See? VanLiere will be reading excerpts from her best-selling Christmas Hope series, which includes The Christmas Shoes, based on Newsong’s hit song from a few years ago. The tour hits nearly a dozen markets from November 28 through December 18.

      There should be more to come—details of a Rebecca St. James holiday tour should be confirmed soon—so if its music you want this year, you can easily get it.