My Favourite Christmas Songs
It’s that time of the year again: bright lights, jingling bells, musical concerts and carols, family dinners, and just pure rejoicing in the air. It is Christmas time. Unfortunately, many people do not know why Christmas is so important to Christians; in fact, many countries have started to secularize Christmas as any other public holiday. While most Christians recognize December 25as Christmas day, it does not mean that that was the day Jesus was born. It is simply the day that has been earmarked for celebrating the fact that Jesus came to save this world––hence the song “Joy to the world the Lord is come”. Christmas is a reminder that Jesus brought His glorious light to this dark world and that He came to redeem us all from eternal bondage. It is also a reminder that God loved the world so much that he gave us Jesus so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Christmas is a time of rejoicing. When Jesus was born in a manger to the virgin Mary, we are told that heaven and earth were rejoicing. The angel who brought the good news was reported saying:
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:10-12).
Every Christmas, I find myself returning to the following songs as a way of reflecting and reminding myself of why Jesus is the reason for the season (He is in fact the man for all seasons). Because I find myself returning to these songs every year and because I always feel blessed listening to them, I concluded that they are my favourite Christmas songs. I hope they bless you too.
- For Unto Us A Child is Born
“For Unto Us A Child is Born” is what happens when your favourite scripture is made into music by your favourite classical musician. The prophecy of Isaiah (9:6), many centuries before Jesus was born, is something I find myself returning to every now and then. I cannot even count the number of times I have used those words as a prayer point. I also don’t remember consciously memorizing the verse––– and that is simply because G.F. Handel turned it into a memorable song. It’s such a privilege for me to have sung this song in the choir a couple of times. The orchestra accompaniment (especially the sound of the string instruments) always moves me to tears. Thank God for Prophet Isaiah and for the gift of G.F. Handel: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
- Mary, Did You Know?
This contemplative song written by Mark Lowry of the Gaither Vocal Band gets to me all the time. While the song has been criticized for lacking theological depth and for infantilizing Mary, I still cannot help but enter a meditative mode every time I listen to it. It is quite ironic that some critics think the song lacks theological depth because, for me, it provides some of the most profound insights into the simultaneous humanity and divinity of Christ. I think the “Mary questions” in the song are just a rhetorical and musical device employed to spur listeners into thinking of Jesus as “God become Man”. Here is an example of a line from the song: Mary, did you know? That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am. There is a thousand version of the song online but my favourite performance of the song is by the band called Pentatonix. Their harmonious acapella and penetrating acoustics will leave you transfixed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Did you know that this advent/Christmas hymn, originally written in Latin, is over 1200 years old? It was translated into English only in 1851. I love the texture of this metrical song, the raw pessimism giving way to a call for joy. The song beautifully encapsulates the story of Christmas. We were languishing in sin and darkness with no hope in sight but thanks be to Jesus who chose to come to earth and rescue us from Satan’s tyranny. Thank God for the promise of Emmanuel (God with us”). Every year, I listen to For King and Country’s version of the song. I like their version because of how they tactfully add the touch of soft rock/pop without losing the original soul of the song. I particularly like the part where the trombone comes on because it gives you a feeling of nostalgia for a place (Heaven) that dwells within even though you have never really been to that place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkvYR4BcHYc
- O Holy Night
My Christmas is not complete without listening to “O Holy Night”. What a gift the song is. Did you know that this song was originally based on a poem written by Placide Cappeau, a French poet, in 1843? The poem was made into music four years after it was written. The song would go on to become one of the most popular songs celebrating Jesus’ birth. The song captures how the birth of Jesus gave our miserable world “a thrill of hope”. The song pictures how the world rejoices because the birth of Jesus has heralded a “new and glorious morn”. While the song is one of the most popular Christmas songs, it is also one of the most difficult to sing because of its wide and–– might I add–– wild vocal range. Some of the best vocalists in the world (Celine Deon, Mariah Carrie, David Phelps, Lauren Daigle etc.) have all attempted the song, but my favourite rendition of the song is by Lincoln Brewster. Listen to Brewster’s version as see why, in my evaluation, he has the best rendition of the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i4c5cFKls8
- Noel
There are many “Noel” songs out there, but I don’t think any of them matches the musical genius of this particular one written by Chris Tomlin and performed by Lauren Daigle. Apart from Daigle’s enchanting voice, my favourite part of this song is the piano interlude––– it gives me chills all the time. The song emphasizes how the Christmas story is, ultimately, a story of love. God loves the world so much that He gave us His only begotten son, Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is an embodiment of love; he is love incarnate, love divine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vwu-t7QRaE
- Mary Had A Little Lamb (Yoruba Version)
There are so many Christmas songs in my native tongue, Yoruba, and many of them are translated from English. While this song entitled “Mary Had A Little Lamb” draws from an existing Christmas song, its lyrics and tune are innovative and original. What is innovative about the song is that it combines a western classical musical style with a Yoruba ballad style of singing. The song, which is often performed as a duet, is meant to be accompanied by an orchestra. It tells of the peace that is brought upon the world by Jesus, the Lamb of God. The song is best experienced as a live performance. While the only available recording of it ( performed by The Belcanto Ensemble of Italy) is not very clear, it is nonetheless enjoyable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwWYT9GqAaA&t=1s
De Vine 