AMG Review of Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection

Gina Boldman
All Music Guide

Reba McEntire's second Christmas album is a departure from 1988's Merry Christmas to You. Secret of Giving features more down-to-earth, pop-country tracks that reflect her decidedly contemporary country style of the '90s. Cheerful and sincere, McEntire shows her usual eloquence on songs like "This Christmas," "Up on the Housetop," "This Is My Prayer for You," and "The Angels Sang." The lyrics in "Mary, Did You Know?" may be a little precious, but McEntire won't lose any fans with this holiday collection.