Jars of Clay was formed back in 1993 at Illinois' Greenville College by singer/songwriter Dan Haseltine and keyboardist Charlie Lowell. They were joined by fellow music major Stephen Mason on guitar and Matt Bronleewee later joined the band as second guitarist. The Christian band had an interest in releasing a holiday themed album from the start of their recording career. To that end, in 1995, Jars of Clay released the Little Drummer Boy EP. However, the group remained frustrated because their record label at the time didn’t want them to release a full-length Christmas album.

Finally, under contract to a new label, Jars of Clay has recently released their first Christmas themed project, Christmas Songs. The album is a mix of new and classic holiday songs, all with the electronic and alternative rock mix that Jars of Clay fans have come to expect. While most of the tracks are centered on the holiday season, a couple of them could be played throughout the winter as simple odes to love. “The Gift of St. Cecilia” is a short instrumental, no doubt an homage to the patron saint of musicians and church music. “Wonderful Christmastime” is a reworking of the song written by Paul McCartney, layered with synthesizers and percussion.

The words and lyrics to "Love Came Down at Christmas," were written by the English poet Christina Georgina Rossetti. The arrangement by Jars of Clay is a traditional reading of the lyric, driven by drums. The band has taken “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and infused it with synth layers and drum loops and combined it with Dan Haseltine’s slow dripping lyrics, creating an electro-pop sound, suitable for a club.

“Hibernation Day,” an original song written by Jars of Clay with Jeremy Lutito and Gabe Ruschival, is a song about staying out of the cold, and keeping warm with the one you love. It is a ballad that could easily be played all winter long. “Winter Skin,” another Jars of Clay original song, is just a sweet little diddy about getting bundled up to take a walk in the snow. The faint sound of bells in the background may get you thinking about the holiday season.