The Spirit of Christmas were a twenty-five year running series of compilation albums of both traditional and modern Christmas carols performed by Australian artists and musicians which was released every Christmas between 1993 until its discontinuation in 2018 with proceeds going to The Salvation Army in Australia as part of their "Red Shield Appeal" which supports at-risk children and youth throughout Australia.
This initiative started when Myer wished to continue their philanthropic support in the community "whilst at the same time providing something special for everyone to enjoy.
[2] Each year Field contacted various fellow Australian musicians – including those he had worked with personally – to donate a track for the compilation, most commonly a new rendition of a standard Christmas carol.
[2] In 1995 he reflected, "People get to hear top Aussie artists singing previously unrecorded tracks, and through buying a copy they can support the valuable work of The Salvation Army.
[3] The albums were produced in collaboration with former musician and later talent manager Glenn Wheatley (ex-the Masters Apprentices, Little River Band, John Farnham).