"December" is the sixteenth and final studio album by the Moody Blues, notable for being their only Christmas album. Although the band decided against recording any further albums after its release, they continued to tour intermittently until 2018.
In a November 2005 interview, bassist John Lodge explained the motivation behind recording a Christmas album, noting that all of their albums have themes and that Christmas is one of the most universal themes. He expressed a desire to show the band's commitment to the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of contributing their perspectives on Christmas beyond just gifts and celebrations, particularly with songs like "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by Lennon and Ono, which conveyed a deeper message.
Lodge shared the inspiration behind the original song "The Spirit of Christmas," recounting a moment when he turned off the news about conflicts in the Middle East and picked up his guitar. Reflecting on the state of the world during the holiday season, he wrote the song in about fifteen minutes, starting with the line, "Where did the spirit of Christmas go?"
This album marked their first studio release since The Magnificent Moodies in 1965 to include cover songs alongside original compositions, and it was also the only album produced after the departure of Ray Thomas.
