If you’re a fan of powerful hymns, get ready for a real treat.
The award-winning a cappella group Pentatonix has just released a preview performance from their upcoming national TV Christmas special, and it’s a cover of the classic hymn “How Great Thou Art.” Not only does it feature the group’s signature harmonies and zero instruments, but it also welcomes Grammy- and Oscar-award-winning vocalist Jennifer Hudson.
Hudson grew up attending and singing hymns at a church in Chicago.
“Church was at the center of my life growing up,” she wrote in Guideposts in 2013. “My family went to a Baptist church on the South Side of Chicago, and I think we spent more time there than at our house.”
“We were always there. And more important, our church family was always there with us, helping us stay close to God in good times and bad.”
As for “How Great Thou Art,” it has a special meaning to Hudson. She says it was her grandmother’s favorite hymn. When you see her belt it out below, it’s easy to see why:
As Billboard notes, the group is no stranger to Christmas music, “as three of their four charting singles on the Hot 100 are Christmas covers: ‘Little Drummer Boy,’ ‘Hallelujah’ and ;Mary, Did You Know?'”
The hymn comes on the heals of Carrie Underwood singing “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling” on national TV during the CMA awards. And while there is certainly a long way to go before culture is fully redeemed, it’s nice to be able to recognize and celebrate displays like this.
The Pentatonix Christmas special airs on Monday at 9pm CT on NBC.
Now watch: Carrie Underwood’s incredibly touching moment of faith at the CMA awards
