When considering the realm of Christmas music, iconic vocalists such as Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra immediately come to mind. Surprisingly, Bob Dylan is not usually one of them. However, in a bold move that defied expectations, Dylan released a holiday album in 2009 titled Christmas in the Heart. This album featured a blend of traditional biblical songs like “Little Drummer Boy,” “O’ Come All Ye Faithful,” and “The First Noel,” alongside more whimsical tracks such as “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Must Be Santa.” The album also showcased contributions from several of Dylan’s long-time band members, including Tony Garnier and Donnie Herron, who added their unique flair to the project.

Those musicians had no idea what they were in for when Bob Dylan reached out to them for this project. David Hidalgo, the multi-instrumentalist from Los Lobos, recalls receiving a call in 2015 inviting him to join the studio sessions. “I just got this call to say Bob was going to work for a couple of weeks, and if I was available could I come down. And so I said, ‘Yeah, sure,’” Hidalgo shared. It wasn’t until the very first day in the studio that he discovered it was a Christmas album. Initially, they began working on “Silver Bells,” a classic holiday standard, leading Hidalgo to question Dylan, “Is this a Christmas record?” Dylan’s reply was somewhat uncertain: “Yeah, I think so…,” reflecting the spontaneity that often characterizes Dylan’s creative process.

As with many of Dylan’s projects—be it studio recordings or live performances—the arrangements of the songs were straightforward yet had an intriguing complexity. The musicians adhered primarily to the original structures of the songs, allowing ample room for improvisation and unique interpretations. “We’d just start from a loose framework of a song,” Hidalgo explained, “we’d start playing, and we’d just goof around with it for a while until it started to sound like something – and usually, that would be the take that [Dylan] would like, it was usually the first or second take that he would keep.” This creative approach contributed to the fresh yet familiar sound of the album.

At the heart of Christmas in the Heart lies a sense of joy and celebration, capturing the essence of the holiday season. In the music video for “Must Be Santa,” a particularly lively track on the album, a jovial Dylan, adorned with a wig, dances from room to room, spreading cheer and engaging in festivities with those around him. This visual representation further emphasizes the carefree and joyful spirit that characterizes the album.

Watch the Music Video for Bob Dylan’s ‘Must Be Santa’

Bob Dylan’s Spiritual Journey: Embracing Christianity Amidst a Jewish Heritage

One might wonder why Dylan, who was raised in a Jewish household and has maintained connections to his Jewish roots throughout his life, would choose to create a Christmas-themed album. It’s essential to recognize that Dylan underwent a conversion to Christianity in the 1970s, during which he released a trilogy of Christian albums and participated in Bible classes. However, this phase was relatively short-lived; by the mid-1980s, Dylan began expressing his spirituality in broader terms.

In an interview with Newsweek in 1997, Dylan candidly shared his perspective on religion: “Here’s the thing with me and the religious thing. This is the flat-out truth: I find the religiosity and philosophy in the music. I don’t find it anywhere else.” He regards songs like “Let Me Rest on a Peaceful Mountain” and “I Saw the Light” as his spiritual compass. “I’ve learned more from the songs than I’ve learned from any of this kind of entity. The songs are my lexicon. I believe the songs.” This insight reveals that Dylan’s connection to music transcends traditional religious frameworks.

READ MORE: The Best Song From Every Bob Dylan Album

Ultimately, what seems to have inspired Dylan was a profound sense of nostalgia rather than a strict adherence to religious themes. Although he spent his formative years in a Jewish household, Dylan fondly recalls the Christmas celebrations of his childhood in Minnesota, filled with “plenty of snow, jingle bells, Christmas carolers going from house to house, sleighs in the streets, town bells ringing, nativity plays,” as he described to The Big Issue magazine (via Reuters). For him, Christmas music became a cherished part of his life, akin to folk songs, reflecting the universal themes of celebration and community.

Listen to Bob Dylan’s ‘Little Drummer Boy’

Recorded at Jackson Browne’s Groove Masters Studio in Santa Monica, California, Christmas in the Heart was released on October 13, 2009. This album not only showcases Dylan’s eclectic musicality but also highlights his ability to transcend conventional boundaries in music.

Giving Back: The Charitable Impact of Dylan’s Holiday Album

While Bob Dylan’s artistic choices may sometimes seem enigmatic, his motivations often reveal a deeper sense of compassion. Despite the mixed reactions from critics and fans regarding Christmas in the Heart, the album served a noble purpose: all proceeds from its sales were directed to Feeding America in the U.S., as well as the United Nations’ World Food Programme and Crisis in the U.K.

Dylan expressed his reasoning for this charitable endeavor, stating, “They get food straight to the people. No military organization, no bureaucracy, no governments to deal with.” The royalty donations are ongoing, ensuring that Christmas in the Heart continues to support these important causes to this day. Additionally, as of 2024, fans can purchase a forest green Christmas in the Heart t-shirt on Dylan’s official website, further contributing to charitable efforts.

In essence, Dylan’s decision to create a holiday album appears to stem from a genuine desire for connection and solidarity. Christmas music has a unique ability to resonate with people from all walks of life, as Dylan noted: “Everybody can relate to it in their own way.” This sentiment underscores the universal appeal of music and its power to bring people together.

Listen to Bob Dylan’s ‘Silver Bells’