Carrie Underwood reflected on the song that started her Christmas album.

Underwood debuted My Gift in 2020, and extended the holiday record with three additional tracks in 2021. My Gift included “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” “Little Drummer Boy” featuring her eldest son Isaiah Fisher, “Hallelujah” with John Legend, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and more.

“I didn’t really know what my goals were when we started making the My Gift album as far as: Is it going to be originals? Is it going to be traditionals? Will it be some mix?” Underwood remembered in a behind-the-song clip she shared on Instagram on Monday (December 23). “We went in writing just to see what would happen. ‘Sweet Baby Jesus’ is an original. My co-writers are Brett James and David Garcia. It started in the heart of Brett James. He had texted both of us lyrics and I was like ‘wow, this already sounds beautiful.’ It was a very full circle type song about this baby that would die one day to save the world. We wanted to keep it simple and beautiful. That’s how it all started.”

Underwood is one of many country stars to release stunning renditions go holiday music, including a blend of Christmas classics and original songs. She recently took the historic Grand Ole Opry stage for comedian Nate Bargatze’s Nahsville Christmas special, which airs again on CBS on Christmas Eve, and is streaming on Paramount+. Some of country’s beloved artists and rising stars who released Christmas music this year include Dan + Shay, Little Big Town, Gabby Barrett and more. Find a list of some of the artists who debuted holiday music in 2024, and listen to iHeartCountry Christmas here.

Amanda McGraw