Every year at this time I go down to the basement and dig out our great collection of Christmas CD’s. The All-Christmas radio stations play the same ten songs over and over again. I wonder why they can’t update their collection. Oh, well…maybe next year.
In the mean time, I’m beginning to play what I consider to be the great music of Christmas. Some of it is new and different. Some of it is old and traditional. But it all puts me in the Christmas mood and expresses the true meaning of Christmas…not what TV and movies say is the true meaning of Christmas, but what St. Luke Chapter 2 says is the true meaning of Christmas.
In no particular order, here are my ten favorite Christmas CD’s, and why I love them:
- Amy Grant: A Christmas Album I’ve had this one for a long, long time. It came out in 1983 and is still one of the first CD’s I get out. My favorite cut is the Michael W. Smith penned “Emmanuel.” But “Tennessee Christmas” has new meaning now that we have son who goes to school in Tennessee.
- God With Us: A Celebration of Christmas Carols and Classics I can’t help but get excited for Christmas when the first cut of this CD comes on: “Joy to the World” by Anointed. For my money, it’s the best version of the old carol I have ever heard. The rest of the compilation has other great versions of favorite carols.
- Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration Quincy Jones’ updated version of the Messiah. Enough said.
- Christmas at Trinity My uncle recently retired as the Cantor at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. Back in 1992 he recorded “Christmas at Trinity,” featuring the world renowned Trinity Choir and the Rosales organ that my uncle had installed during his tenure. The music is simply sacred and truly transports one to the glory of the Christmas story. Perfect music for very late on Christmas Eve.
- Crystal Lewis: Holiday! Crystal Lewis has a distinct voice that drives these holiday classics with a swing that’s contageous. The disc makes you feel like you’re listening to old time radio, but still has an updated feel.
- Gloria This is another compilation album with a variety of artists like Charlie Peacock, Michael W. Smith, Christine Dente, and Ginny Owens. “Sing Gloria” starts off the album with a shout!
- A Charlie Brown Christmas: Vince Guaraldi Trio What top ten Christmas music list would be complete without this one? When we’re eating dinner after church on Christmas Eve, this is the CD that is playing. Christmas Time Is Here!
- Our Christmas This compilation CD concludes with the incomparable Roberta Flack singing a creative and lilting version of “What Child Is This” that makes leaves one wanting more.
- Downhere: How Many Kings Debuting in 2009, this CD is already at the top of our Christmas listening list. It includes an original called “How Many Kings” that reminds us just what kind of sacrifice it was that Jesus made by “becoming flesh” and “dwelling amongst us.” It also includes a wonderfully raucous version of “Good King Wenceslas.” Why All-Christmas Radio doesn’t pick up songs off of CD’s like this, I’ll never know.
- City on a Hill: It’s Christmas Time This CD came out in 2002, and its music has accompanied our gift opening on Christmas morning every year since then. It isn’t truly Christmas anymore unless we hear the beautiful bells that begin the first cut on the CD: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” With that, our morning celebration begins, gifts are opened, and we continue our Christmas celebration with Christmas morning worship.
I hope you might find something in this list that you like. What Christmas music is part of your tradition?
Great Post.
I would suggest a few others.
Faith Hill's Christmas Album with "A baby changes everything."
Third Day's Christmas Offerings
A Album Call Gospel Christmas – favorites done gospel style.
And a little transiberian orchestra for fun.
Thanks, Phil! I'll have to check those out. I'm especially intrigued by "Gospel Christmas"…
I am surprised you don't have Point of Grace– A Christmas Story. One of my favorites.
Vanessa Williams also does a WONDERFUL version of Joy to the World–Go Tell it on the Mountain that makes me want to Go Tell it on the mountain!!
Point of Grace is more Tammy's style than mine, but I'd like to hear it anyway. Thanks for the suggestion! The V. Williams pieces sound great, too!
Amy Grant is one of my all time favorites as well .My other must hears are Steven Curtins Chapman "The music of Christmas" one of my favorites on this CD is This Baby.
Also Micheal W Smith "The Ultimate Christmas" and Mannhiem Steamrollers" A fresh Aire Christmas"
And Hampton String Quartet :What if Mozart wrote Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. This takes some of the classis christams songs and turns them into a classical arrangement.
We have Steven Curtis Chapman’s is up there for us, too…but it didn’t quite make the top ten. Hampton String Quartet sounds GREAT! I’d like to hear that!
I need to add another one to my list…BRAND NEW this year! Dave Barnes' "Very Merry Christmas" has shot right up to the top of our list. He's got some *different* arrangements of some lesser known classics, and has some really great originals on the offering, as well. You NEED to check it out!
I love to sing Worship the King with Sandi Patty, but another unusual favorite would be Boney M's version of Mary's Boy Child. Lorie Line is my favorite Christmas performer and when accompanied by Robert Robinson on Oh Holy Night….. amazing! Love the Christmas music…
My favorite is "The Promise" by Michael Card. It is Advent and Christmas put together for me. I am interested in some of the others you mentioned that I haven't heard.
The Promise IS excellent!