It's a Wonderful Christmas is an album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith. Released in October 2007, this epic album is Smith's third album of Christmas music and features four choirs and a 65-piece orchestra. About half the album is instrumental pieces, including "What Child is This", "Audrey's Gift", and "It's a Wonderful Christmas". Vocal numbers such as "The Promise" and "Christmas Angels" reflect Smith's trademark personal touch and evoke his previous Christmas albums, Christmas (1989) and Christmastime (1998). Smith utilizes the full sound of the orchestra and choirs to produce an album that exudes a "mastery of the adult contemporary sound" and adds "so richly to the Christmas songbook."
All tracks written by Michael W. Smith, except where noted.
Sam Bacco – Scottish snare drum and bass drum (6)Steven Beers – The Nashville Choir and Children's Choir recording assistantBlackbird Studios, Nashville, Tennessee – recording location,New Cumberland Choir and Highland bagpipes for rhythm sectionMichael Blanton – executive producerMichelle Box – A&R productionBrentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood, Tennessee – The Nashville Choir and Children's Choir recording locationRonnie Brookshire – rhythm section recording engineerJeff Cain – digital editorBrian Calhoon – mixing engineerLori Casteel – music preparationMike Casteel – music preparationChildren's Choir (1, 5)The Choristers of Reigate St. Mary's – boys choir (3, 9)Dominic Christie – boys choir recording assistantAllen Clark – photographySkip Cleavinger – Highland bagpipes and penny whistle (6), low whistle (8)John Coates – The Nashville Choir directorDavid Davidson – violin solo "Song for the King"Deer Valley Studios, Franklin, Tennessee – vocal recording locationDave Dillbeck – vocal recording engineer, digital editorRic Domenico – music preparationAndrew Dudman – orchestra and additional piano recording engineerHumberto Gatica – orchestra, boys choir and additional piano recording engineerGeorgetown Masters, Nashville, Tennessee – mastering locationKathy Goodrich – Children's Choir assistant directorJames Gregory – bass guitar (1, 5)Isobel Griffiths – orchestra contractorRonn Huff – "Christmas Day" orchestra arrangementDavid Hamilton – string conductor, orchestra arrangement (1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11), choir arrangement (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), synthesizer (1, 5), Hammond B3 organ (5), celeste (5), piano (11), rhythm track arrangement (11), producer, digital editorSandy Hamilton – Children's Choir directorKen Johnson – production managerBonnie Keen – backing vocals (11)Derik Lee – Mandisa's vocal recording engineerLegacy Recording Studios, New York City, New York – Mandisa's vocal recording locationPaul Leim – drums (1, 5, 11)Melissa Leonelli – librarian, production assistantAdam Lester – electric guitars (1, 5)The London Session Orchestra – orchestraMandisa – "Christmas Day" vocalsPerry Montague-Mason – concertmasterCharlotte Matthews – orchestra contractorCarl Marsh – orchestra arrangement (1, 5)Scrap Marshall – boys choir recording assistantJason McArthur – A&R coordinationStephanie McBrayer – art direction, stylistAndrew Mendelson – masteringMarie Morris – Children's Choir assistant directorThe Nashville Choir – choir (1, 3, 7, 9)Craig Nelson – upright bass (11)New Cumberland Choir – choir (3, 7, 9)Paragon Studios, Franklin, Tennessee – vocal, additional piano recording location, mixing locationFred Paragano – additional piano recording engineerTim Parker – art directionMark Petaccia – rhythm section recording assistantJeff Pitzer – "Song for the King" violin solo recording engineerEberhard Ramm – music preparationLowell Reynolds – New Cumberland Choir and Highland bagpipes recording assistantDoug Sarrett – The Nashville Choir and Children's Choir recording engineerDavid Schober – additional piano recording engineerStudio One, Abbey Road Studios, London, England – recording location for orchestra, boys choir and additional pianoMichael W. Smith – vocals (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), piano (1-5, 8, 9, 10), arrangements, producer, executive producerGreg Thomas – New Cumberland Choir contractorJohn Tobin – Reigate St. Mary's choir masterMichealle Vanderpoolhair – hair and make-upBill Whittington – New Cumberland Choir and Highland bagpipes recording engineerIt's a Wonderful Christmas sold 12,759 copies in its first week, 6,000 of them digital. The album has since sold 39,000 copies.
The album was a critical success, receiving 4 stars out of 5 with every critic. However, Billboard gave the album mixed reviews.
In 2008, the album won a Dove Award for Christmas Album of the Year at the 39th GMA Dove Awards.
