My Favorite Christmas Songs

First and foremost there is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (I wrote all about my love for this perfect song two years ago).  Then there are the classics, the obvious choices – “White Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “The Christmas Song.”  Then there’s always “O Holy Night” – such a lovely, simple song.

But, I have some other, more eclectic favorites.  Bear with me, some of these are strange, but all of them are worth it.

[I’m posting some videos below, but I only wanted to post links to videos that where officially posted by the artists.  You can look up the other songs on YouTube for unofficial videos, or on Spotify.  But I do suggest that you listen to each and every one of these songs.]

“A Baby Changes Everything” by Faith Hill.  This one was all about the timing.  I first heard it when I was 9 months pregnant with Alma.  It’s slightly cheesy, but it still has a beautiful message about motherhood, and Jesus and all that.

“It Won’t Be the Same This Year” by Vince Gill.  This is a sad one.  I don’t know why I love sad Christmas songs.  We had this album when I was little, and I always loved this song.

“Love is Christmas” by Sara Bareilles and by Evynne Hollens and Emily Sangdor.  This is probably the most modern song on my list.  I love anything by Sara.  I also love everything by Evynne, so her version is perfection.

“Where Are You Christmas?” by Faith Hill (again).  This one is from the Grinch movie that I have never seen.  The song, though, is one of my very favorites.  It’s all about hope and love and joy.  What a great message to have all year, but especially at Christmas.

“The Man Who Would Be Santa” by Vertical Horizon.  This was another song that came into my life at the right time.  It was my freshman year of college. “The man who would be Santa tells his son to write, to call him if he needs him in the middle of the night, ‘don’t you worry, don’t you cry now, your mother and I love you, and think about you all the time.”  This is an acoustic version on the band’s YouTube channel, but the original is also great.

“Magic” by someone on an old Christmas in Sun Valley cassette tape that my brother turned into a CD.   I can’t find a video of this song, but it’s great.  It’s all about how Christmastime is magic.  Absolutely magic.

“Good King Wenceslas” by The Roaches.  I love this one so much.  The idea of helping others, especially those who are less fortunate, is such a beautiful idea.  And the fact that the Feast of Stephen is the day after Christmas is perfect.  After all the craziness, it’s great to take a breath and give back.

“The Cherry Tree Carol” by Peter, Paul, and Mary.  I love a good story song.  Peter, Paul, and Mary’s Christmas album was in heavy rotation when I was a kid.

“Silent Night” all versions, but especially Cantus and the Dublinaires.

“One Little Christmas Tree” by Stevie Wonder.  Another song of the year.  I listened to this one on repeat while we were in Azerbaijan.  Christmas felt so strange there, and this song seemed especially poignant.

Last, but certainly not least – The entire Very Special Christmas, Volume 3 album. Especially “Christmastime” by the Smashing Pumpkins, “Oi to the World” by No Doubt, “Christmas” by Blues Traveler, “Christmas in the City” by Mary J. Blige ft. Angie Martinez, “Christmas is Now Drawing Near at Hand” by Steve Winwood, and OF COURSE “Christmas Song” by Dave Matthews.  I know this is a crazy 90s flashback.  I remember listening to this during my senior year of high school.  If I started the Dave Matthews song right as I left school, it would end as I pulled into my driveway, every time, WITHOUT FAIL.  Christmas miracles, folks.