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'CMA Country Christmas' 2019: CeCe Winans' 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' rendition gets standing ovation amid criticism on lack of diversity

CeCe Winans' performance with the church choir has impressed viewers, leaving them wondering why more headliners of color were not included.

Gospel legend CeCe Winans took the stage not once, but thrice at this year's 'CMA Country Christmas' special that aired on ABC tonight. In her first performance, she joined the Rascal Flatts to perform 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' while she took the stage a second time with the ladies of the night, Trisha Yearwood, Kristen Chenoweth, Tori Kelly and Hillary Scott to perform 'Children Go Where I Send Thee'.

Winans' first solo performance came later in the night when she sang 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' with a big church choir backing her performance. Winans sang in all her glory proving why she is one of the most revered gospel singers in America. Part of the church choir was present for most of the other performances, but it was Winans' performance that brought them to the center stage and fans loved them, with one writing, "Where did #CMACountryChristmas get this choir?! They are AMAZING!"

Viewers loved Winans' performance, which earned her a standing ovation at the end of the song. Fans watching from home chipped in their comments as well, with one tweeting, "I've loved seeing @cecewinans on #CMACountryChristmas sharing her powerful voice and talent."

Another wrote, "Hark The Herald. Hark the hell yeah!! She’s killed it ALL night. #CMACountryChristmas." Another added, "@cecewinans is a Queen! I LOVE hearing her sing! What a beautiful & powerful voice! Yes! She on FIRE! #CMACountryChristmas."

However, CMA's Country Christmas special was not without its criticism. The CMAs have received constant backlash over its consistent lack of inclusion of black people and at this year's Christmas special, CeCe Winans was the only black headlining performer of the year.

Fans noticed this, with one tweeting, "Okay Cece Winans bringing the color to the #CMACountryChristmas show cause yeah..." Another wrote, "Say what it is @ABCNetwork, a #CMAchristmas #CMACountryChristmas is a celebration of racism & bigotry."