We've already begun playiing Christmas Music in our house. But my absolute favorite of all is We Are The Reason by David Meece followed by O Holy Night.
here is my blog from last year that might fit in nicely here...
I love Christmas music. I actually listen to it all year round. Every time I go to the library I go through the Christmas music. When else are you going to hear the music world's biggest stars sing about Jesus? I've probably heard and bought hundreds of Christmas albums, so I think I can be a good judge on what's the best stuff out there.
My idea of a great Christmas CD will have like 12 songs, of which at least 3 will be originals. When you get originals, or at least little known songs, you feel like the artist put forth a little extra. To many artists feel they HAVE to do a Christmas CD, and it will be the same 10 songs you here on about every other Christmas album. It will sound like they went into the studio and whipped it out on just a few takes in July! So usually Christian artists will have the best albums because they can write great originals, but I'm going to include a few others in my list. I can't really rate them one through ten, I'm just gonna list a few that would be great to have in your collection.
There are several artists who have put out several Christmas projects. Including:
Amy Grant. Her first one of her 3, "A Christmas Album" from 1983 is a true classic that is timeless. This includes songs new at the time and now classics like "Heirlooms", "Emmanuel", "Love Has Come" and "Tennessee Christmas." Her version of "Sleigh Ride" is still the best recorded version of that song. Her other 2 albums are great. but the first has to be in your collection.
Michael W. Smith. He just put out his third this year which I actually haven't gotten yet. My fave from him is 1998's "Christmastime"
If instrumental music is your cup of tea, you can't go too wrong with anything by Kenny G, Jim Brickman, Mannheim Steamroller or Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Anything by the great Bing Crosby.
Randy Travis has a new one this year, but his first one from the 80's, "An Old Time Christmas", is a classic to me.
Steven Curtis Chapman has had several, but his first, "The Music Of Christmas" from 1995, is my fave. Lots of great originals on that one.
Both of Point of Grace's albums are pretty cool.
Now here are some of the other classics.
The Carpenters..."A Christmas Portrait." If you only owned one traditional Christmas album, this is the one for you. Karen's voice just makes you want to curl up in front of the fireplace on a cold Christmas eve.
Mariah Carey..."Merry Christmas." I loved this album so much it was my favorite album period the year it came out. The best originals ever, like "Jesus, Born on this Day" (Which Avalon later covered), "Jesus Oh What A Beautiful Child," "Miss You Most at Christmas Time" and "All I Want For Christmas Is You." Her versions of "O Holy Night" and "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" will give you goose bumps! (In the same vein, I just got Christina Aguilera's from the library, and she really show's off her pipes on some classics and originals too.)
Natalie Grant's "Believe" falls into the big voice style too!
Hanson.."Snowed In" Great energy and fun!
NSYNC..."Home For Christmas" When they were still young and innocent, they recorded a fantastic Christmas album. If you like this style the Plus One Christmas isn't half bad...though the guys in the group were embarrassed by it.
Russ Taff..."A Christmas Song" Classic big band sound. Video's of this album looked like they were from the 1940's!
A Charlie Brown Christmas is timeless.
Brian Setzer Orchestra..."Dig That Crazy Christmas" If you don't mind a couple of songs about Santa being a party animal, this is classic big band fun..fun..FUN! Not much spiritual content though. For that in this style..get Denver and the Mile High Orchestra's album!
From the past few years...the albums by MercyMe, Third day, Todd Agnew and Relient K are all superb! I still haven't heard the Jars of Clay one yet.
Cool side note..on Relient K's, the guys give you a personal greeting during "Auld Land Syne." The Beach Boys are big to them, and I just heard their rendition of the song..they do the same thing..so that's where Relient K must have gotten the idea for that!
Well, I know I've forgoten a few, but I think I gave a good wide variety.
ok there are so many but my favorite group is the denver&the mile high orthestra luther vandross and him in christmas and isreal a timeless christmas and mercy me christmas
I used to hate when Christmas was over cause I wouldn't hear that song till next year. Then I found out that Hawk Nelson did a version of it...and because they are my favorite band I was so happy! Then found out that Taylor Swift did a version too. She is my favorite country singer so I was happy again!! HAHA! I just LOVE that song!
"Oh Holy Night" by far is my favorite Christmas song. It is so powerful and poignant for the Season.
I concur with Jim on Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas. It's probably the only mainstream project besides the great Nat King Cole that I enjoy for the season.
I also love "He Is the Reason For the Season" by Stryper, Amy Grant's "Emanuel", and great albums by Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas, BeBe & CeCe Winans' First Christmas and Sparrow's Christmas, which featured great tunes like Steve Taylor's "Winter Wonderland" and Deniece Williams' "Do You Know What I Know".
American Idol alums George Huff and Mandisa have some great Christmas music as well.
I really like Michael W. Smith's, "Christmastime", because it is a blend of traditional and contemporary feelings about Christmas. It is my very favorite Christmas song.