One of 2023’s best new Christmas songs comes courtesy of church in Aptos

The Christmas season playlist is dominated by songs that have been around for decades — and, in come cases, for centuries.

We’re talking about such classics as “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” “White Christmas” and, of course, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” a carol that has been around since at least the early 1700s.

Yet contrary to what the Muzak played at shopping malls this time of year might lead you to believe, people are still writing new Christmas tunes.

And one of the very best of 2023 comes courtesy of a church in the Santa Cruz area.

So, those looking for a good jolt of holiday cheer should push play on the cool tune “Good News Great Joy” from Twin Lakes Church in Aptos.

“Hey everyone! Twin Lakes Worship has a brand new Christmas song out on all streaming platforms!” Twin Lakes’ worship pastor Trent Smith posted on social media. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say I think this will be the most fun new Christmas song you hear this season.”

“Good News Great Joy” can be heard on Spotify, iTunes and other streaming sites. There is also a lyric video up on YouTube.

The song is credited to Twin Lakes Worship, which is the worship music team at this welcoming seaside church. The project was helmed by team member Elizabeth Hunnicutt Summers, who also sings lead vocals on the soulful pop number. Other musicians featured on the track include Seth Condrey, Brandon Li and Dave Matsumura.

Summers is a great singer, who this music critic has admired ever since he heard her sing on the amazing “Bay Area Blessing” project from 2020. Summers — who serves as associate worship pastor at Twin Lakes — also has a number of other songs that people can hear on her Spotify page (just search her name). People can also learn more about this talented singer-songwriter by visiting her webpage, elizabethhunnicutt.com.

Smith says that “Great News Great Joy” will get is live debut — appropriately enough — during the Christmas Eve services at Twin Lakes Church. The services are scheduled for 4 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 23 and at 11 a.m., 3 and 5 p.m. on Dec. 24. For more information, visit tlc.org.