Worship Wednesdays: Michael W Smith’s “All Is Well” (Feat. Carrie Underwood)!

carrie-underwood michael w smith

It’s time for another Worship Wednesday’s post, where we delve into a popular worship song, speaking about what it means to us.

Seeing that Michael W Smith’s The Spirit Of Christmas released this week (which is one of my favourite Christmas albums ever, by the way), and that there are a few high profile Christmas albums releasing in the near future, inclusive of 1 Girl Nation, Chris August, Everfound and Peter Furler, I thought that it would be appropriate and fitting if we talk about a worshipful Christmas song.

Though I believe that Christmas is a wonderful, blessed and probably most special time of the year, as believers are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour; it’s a nitpick and a concern of mine that as early as September, the stores light up their establishments with Christmas lights and decorations, and many turkeys, puddings, tinsel, trees and other ornaments are sold. Ads on TV or at the cinemas for Christmas themed movies are released, and even in the CCM industry, Christmas albums release early as well.

Yet I know deep down inside of me, that looking forward to Christmas early is not really bad and is in fact good in some respects, and its more opportunities for non-Christians to be acquainted with Jesus. And what better way to be acquainted with Jesus, than with Michael W Smith’s new album. Collaborating the 14 track album with many mainstream vocalists, this is an album bound to receive lots of attention, and hopefully this will be a tool for Christians to evangelise to their non-Christian friends.

One of the songs that stuck out to me on the 14 track holiday album is “All Is Well”, where Michael sings a powerful and chilling duet with country singer/songwriter Carrie Underwood. Originally recorded in 1989 on his first Christmas album, the piano led slow ballad re-recorded Smitty classic is strikingly different to the original version sung by a children’s choir. In this re-recording of a 20 something year old classic, we hear Michael and Carrie championing Jesus and singing out praises because of His birth. For me the lyrics of the whole song (which is in fact 3 verses long) are very impacting, and guaranteed to speak to your very soul as well. Here they are below.

All is well, all is well
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of love’s light
Sing A-le
Sing Alleluia

All is well, all is well
Let there be peace on earth
Christ is come, go and tell
That He is in the manger
Sing A-le
Sing Alleluia

All is well, all is well
Lift up your voice and sing
Born is now, Emmanuel
Born is our Lord and Savior
Sing Alleluia
Sing Alleluia
All is well

What do you think of those lyrics? Pretty explicit about the gospel, and worshipful as well, huh? As Michael and Carrie both proclaim that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour, there’s an atmosphere that shifts, and you can tell that God is inhabiting the song and will minister to all who listen.

With both Carrie and Michael magically create an inspiring musical experience that transports me to a place of worship and a place of surrender to God, every time I listen, especially during the epic crescendo at the end of the bridge; both artists showcase their brilliant vocal abilities. In fact, with Carrie’s name and stellar reputation across the country, Christian and pop mainstream circles, I am positive that this song will be played on the mainstream radio stations closer to Christmas time, and fans of Carrie’s music, who may or may not know of her strong Christian faith, will hopefully listen to this Holy Spirit inspired gem! And when this song does receive major radio airplay (I’m being bold here!), hopefully we will be able to see the effects of a timeless classic impact the lives of many around the world.

Kudos to Carrie and Michael for a stirring anthem that is one of and will continue to be one of Michael’s Christmas hits!

What is your favourite original Christmas song? Is it worshipful? Which Christmas song do you think will impact the lives of people this year, regardless of who wrote it and when it was written and recorded?

Let us know in the comments below.

Til next time!

5 thoughts on “Worship Wednesdays: Michael W Smith’s “All Is Well” (Feat. Carrie Underwood)!”

  1. I love Francesca’s Be Born In Me, Heaven Everywhere and December 25, Dara Maclean’s Bethlehem Skies and The Day that Love was Born, and Sarah Macintosh’s There is a Star.

    After listening to All is Well, I can say I will add it to my Christmas song playlist. Thanks for letting me know about the song Josh. 🙂

    1. It’s my pleasure! And I hope that you can listen to the rest of Michael W. Smith’s new Christmas album, it’s probably the best Christmas album in my opinion over the last 3-4 years or so!

  2. Josh, have you heard about Carrie’s new song: Something In The Water. When I first saw the title, I thought it was a cover of Brooke Fraser’s song. 🙂 It’s going to get a lot of radio play if it’s released as a single, I’m sure of that. 🙂

    1. Yes I have heard the new Carrie Underwood single, I love that she’s being very overt in her faith on this song, in the mainstream media as well!

      That song is indeed a single- and a brand new song she’s releasing with a few other songs to form her Greatest Hits project releasing in December this year!

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