Christmas albums are often simple affairs, but that's not the case with Season of Peace: The Christmas Collection, a 2018 album by Michael McDonald. The subtitle tips off that this is a compilation, not a new album, and this is not the first McDonald Christmas comp. His 2001 record In the Spirit: A Christmas Album was rebranded in 2004 as 20th Century Masters - The Christmas Collection, while 2005's Through the Many Winters: A Christmas Album -- which was released through Hallmark stores -- was largely repackaged as Razor & Tie's 2009 set This Christmas. Season of Peace trumps these previous sets by offering highlights from his two proper Christmas albums -- In the Spirit and Through the Many Winters -- adding the brand-new "Winter Wonderland," a lightly skipping instrumental featuring Jake Shimabukuro for good measure. Most of the record leans into McDonald's signature smooth soul, which makes for warm, cozy listening -- the ideal kind of soundtrack for winter nights.