The album was supported by the release of one single, "Still the Light", and two promotional singles, "Winter Wonderland" and "On This Holy Night".
Release and promotion
For several months before the release of the album's first single, Stryper teased songs from the album to somedia.[2]
The lead single from The Greatest Gift of All, titled "Still the Light", was officially released on July 20, 2025. Upon the single's release, the complete album, The Greatest Gift of All, was announced, with its release date scheduled for late 2025. "Still the Light" was supported by the release of a lyric video.[3]
"Winter Wonderland" was released on September 22, 2025, as a promotional single, supported by a lyric video.[4] With the song's release, The Greatest Gift of All was made available for preorder.[5] On October 31, 2025, "On This Holy Night" was released as a promotional single, also supported by a lyric video. The song is themed around the idea that the world has taken Jesus out of Christmas.[6] It was intended to sound "dark and heavy" and as a result was intentionally released on Halloween.[7][8]
The Greatest Gift of All was released exclusively to physical formats.[5]
Recording and production
Stryper had initially been planning on recording a Christmas album for over 40 year, but the band could not find a time to do so.[9]
The Greatest Gift of All was recorded in April 2025.[10] It features five traditional Christmas songs, and five original tracks. Two of the songs, "Reason for the Season" and "Winter Wonderland", are re-recordings of songs that appeared on Stryper's major label debut, The Yellow and Black Attack.[3]
Writing and composition
Sweet, Stryper's lead vocalist, said of the album:
This album has its own unique signature to it and it’s becoming a favorite of mine. There’s just something about it that’s really special and unique. An album we’ve wanted to do for so many years and here we are. We tried some different things on this album in terms of the sound but yet we didn’t venture too far away from who we are and what we do. It’s 100% Stryper yet it has some new flavors here and there and it’s really amazing how it turned out. It will be released this year.
The album has been described by Bravewords to have an "unmistakable mix of faith, power, and metal energy". It demonstrates the styles of Christian rock and heavy metal.[5]
Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source
Rating
Jesus Freak Hideout
Today's Christian Entertainment
Speaking for Today's Christian Entertainment, Jay Heilman reviewed that "The structure of the album is balanced perfectly," elaborating that, "It is split roughly down the middle, featuring one half of traditional tunes and the other half comprised of originals". He also noted that "Michael Sweet’s voice has, quite honestly, never sounded better". Heilman stated that the album is "long overdue," although "absolutely well worth the wait".[12]
John Underdown of Jesus Freak Hideout observed that the album "sounds like Stryper", however, it contains "subtle changes that bring a freshness the band has long needed." He states that it contains a "punk rock feel".[13]
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