Jeremy Camp’s first Christmas album was released this week to mixed reviews. Here’s what some critics had to say about the Hoosier’s holiday offering, Christmas: God with Us.

JesusFreakHideout:  The most favorable review of the bunch gives Camp high marks for uncharacteristically rocking out on Jingle Bell Rock and for his sentimental approach to Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.  But the reviewer isn’t all that bowled over by the album’s one original Christmas song, God With Us, saying it “ doesn’t sound much different than any other Sunday morning worship song.“  Conclusion: “If anything, just hearing Jeremy rock out and have fun on a few songs here is worth checking out the record for alone.” Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5.

NewReleaseTuesday: A mostly negative review criticizes the album for relying too heavily on covers and failing to make the one original offering a standout. “Unfortunately, Camp doesn’t do too much to make his versions especially memorable amidst the sea of other covers,” the reviewer says.  Camp’s emotional rendition of Mary, Did You Know is considered a highlight. Conclusion: “An artist of Camp’s caliber should have a release that’s at least a little more ‘classic’ than this.” Rating: The reviewer doesn’t offer a rating. Members of NewReleaseTuesday give it an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Christian Music Zine: Camp gets credit for giving traditional Christmas tunes his own unique spin, though the reviewer still calls it a “typical Christmas CD with ninety percent of this record being songs of old.” A highlight is considered to be Mary, Did You Know. Conclusion: “If you love Jeremy Camp or Christmas music, you should get this record now.”  Rating: 3 out of 5.