Top Christmas Songs #1

I love music. It is a vitally important aspect of my life. Unfortunately... I have little music ability; I can’t sing at all, and after 6 years of working on guitar, I’m still pretty bad. Despite my lack of ability, I need music for my soul. Growing up as a kid, one of the major reasons I loved Christmas was the Christmas carols and hymns. Since the music I heard at Church didn’t move me towards God (and sometimes move me away), it was the one time of year that my faith and love of music came together. Thank God that twenty years ago, I discovered worship music that moved my heart towards him. Still, one of my favorite things about this time of the year is worshipping God through the worship songs of the season.

Recently, I was inspired by watching YouTuber Rick Beato, who put together his top Christmas songs. I challenged my family to put together their own list and share with one another. In this blog and the next, I’ll share with you my top ten Christmas songs and the version I think is best. The version matters since so many artists have played them. A great Christmas song can be ruined by a poor rendition. By the way, these are all sacred, so Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you” won’t appear... not that it would have made the list anyway.

And while you read, go ahead and listen - we've saved these all on a Spotify playlist for you! 
Tom's Favorite Christmas Songs

Number Ten: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/ We Three Kings" by Bare Naked Ladies and Sarah McLaughlin

Usually, I am not a big fan of mixing songs or hymns, but this one really works seamlessly. My favorite verse from the song is “Glorious now behold him arise; King and God and Sacrifice.” One of the great aspects of enduring Christmas hymns are the rich theology in them. In one line, we see how Jesus is King, God and our sacrifice all at the same time.

Sarah McLaughin’s voice is just haunting in the verses she sings. I wonder how singing these sacred words impacts secular musicians. How much does the truth and beauty of these words pierce their heart? I do pray that musicians who sing these profound words are moved closer to Christ as a result.

Number Nine: "Carol of the Bells" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

I guess this isn’t really a worship song, but I am going to include it anyway. You can’t help but be moved emotionally by this version of Carol of the Bells. For a while, it would be the go-to request from my daughter Lydia when we were in the car.

In 2022, we played it in Nativity's Prelude to Christmas (a program we have before Christmas Eve Mass begins, to engage those who arrive early to Mass). It was spectacular. Joe Weaver plays the lead guitar and it is just fun to watch. it will be worth your time, check it out on our YouTube Channel.

Number Eight: "Little Drummer Boy" by For King and Country

My dad passed in 2018. The Little Drummer Boy was his favorite Christmas song. Growing up, we would listen to the Andy Williams Christmas album, and I can remember him singing it. He especially loved the lines: “I played my drum for him” and “I played my best for him.” For Christmas Eve Mass in 2023, we then did the For King and Country version as a song before the opening song. It was absolutely awesome.

Number Seven: "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"

This is more an Advent hymn than Christmas, but it needs to be on the list. (As an aside, I have tried to create an Advent playlist but have struggled to find songs.) My favorite lines from the hymn: “Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.”

My favorite version is the one we do at Nativity, led by Al Walsh. It is now a staple for Advent as a post-communion meditation. One year, our worship leader, Simon, chose another song, and he got grief from everyone, including his wife, Jen. Some things you just have to leave alone because they work so well and create an emotional tie. The words are so rich and meaningful, and everyone sings it. To listen to Al’s version, again check it out on our YouTube Channel. 

Number Six: "Hark the Herald Angel Sing" by Nat King Cole

This is one of the staples of Christmas. I did some brief research and learned that the lyrics were written by Charles Wesley and George Whitefield. It first appeared in the collection of Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739. Originally, they crafted the lyrics to go to the tune of “Christ the Lord is risen today.” A century later, in 1855, an organist at the Waltham Abbey Church changed the tune to a secular composition from Felix Mendelssohn’s Festgesang. That’s the composition that made it such an uplifting and inspiring hymn.

Growing up, my family had three Christmas albums we would play. Two by Andy Williams and one by Nat King Cole. So personally, I am partial to Nat King Cole’s version of the song. His Christmas album is a classic.

That’s the first half of my list. I’ll share the next five in my next blog. Maybe you have a list of your own, if you don't, I’d encourage you to make one. It’s a simple, meaningful exercise to do personally, or even with friends or family. Often, it reveals something about your faith journey and how God speaks to your heart.

Rooting for you,
Tom