Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The American songsmith said recently, "As a songwriter, I tend to write a few new Christmas songs every year. It's always a way for me to reconnect with the greatest story ever told - the birth of a Saviour." This, Matthew's second full-length Christmas project, features five brand-new recordings and five which have already been heard on earlier releases. Pride of place goes to the title track which is joyful and reverential - Christmas worship in fact. The CCM hitmaker also makes a good fist of some carol evergreens like "The First Noel" and "O Holy Night" although you will never convince me that "Jingle Bells" is a song West, or anyone else for that matter, needs to record. There are no classic West compositions like "Hello My Name Is" or "Family Tree" on this set let alone a modern Christmas gem of the standard of Greene/Lowry's "Mary Did You Know". But then neither does a listen to 'Unto Us' give the impression that we sometimes get with CCMers releasing their regulation Christmas albums - that they are simply going through the moneymaking motions. Matthew LOVES Christmas and that is skilfully conveyed.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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