Over the past 10 years, I've been listening to a 300-plus song playlist of my favorite Christmas songs by Christian artists, both preparing my heart for this most blessed season and conducting and writing Christmas "Behind the Song" devotionals.
My favorite Christmas albums have a balanced mix of original and traditional songs, such as "Breath of Heaven," a classic original from the iconic artist Amy Grant's 1992 album, Home for Christmas.
Year after year, new music released over the holidays has snowballed into what is now my top 10 original Christmas songs. Here are my suggestions that you can add to your favorites. From my family to yours, have a wonderful, God-filled holiday season.
"Prince of Heaven" by Hillsong Worship
“Prince of Heaven,” from the iconic church band Hillsong Worship’s Christmas: The Peace Project (Deluxe), is a great way to thank Jesus for our undeserved gift of grace. The gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ started at Christmas and continues until we see Him face to face. To celebrate His gift of grace this Christmas, put this song on heavy rotation: "We can know Him, this Prince of Peace, in light of mercy, confess our sin; lay our burdens at Jesus' feet." Whenever you're tempted to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the commercial Christmas season, this song can help you focus on the true meaning of Christmas—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Prince of heaven.
"Light of the World" by Lauren Daigle
What I love about this original Christmas worship song, “Light of the World, from popular artist Lauren Daigle's album Behold: A Christmas Collection (Deluxe), is that it sets my mind on Jesus. The song's message strips away the commercialism and secular celebration of the blessed season and focuses on the ultimate gift of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The ultimate Christmas gift is, as 1 John 1:7 puts it, that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin." This season, celebrate the reason for the season with others.
Jesus wants to give you Himself this Christmas, share in His light of life, and not walk in darkness. Now that Jesus has ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, He tells us in His Word that through the Holy Spirit living inside us, we’re the light of the world, and a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden, as stated in Matthew 5:14. This song celebrates that amazing gift.
"Human for Me" by Katy Kinard
I love the prayerful tone of "Human for Me," a song from contemporary artist Katy Kinard’s release, God of Fireflies. We should never forget that Jesus was born in a stable, probably a cave, with animals. He descended from heaven and became a human to save the world. Throughout the song, Katy acknowledges the true wonder of Christ's incarnation as she reflects "And I wonder why on this silent night/You withstood discomfort for me/Chose to live and die in a harsher time/You refused to make it easy to be human for me." The song offers a profound response to this most blessed season.
"Just a Girl'' by Brandon Heath
The opening lyrics of "Just a Girl" by contemporary artist Brandon Heath from his album, Christmas is Here asks, "I wonder if you've heard the story?" This question invites me in and makes me want to hear the story (Brandon is known for his top-notch storytelling). As I follow the artist on his musical journey, I wonder what I would do if I was the innkeeper. Not much is known about him, except that he denied entry to Jesus' family at the inn. Luke 2:7 says, "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
I've never empathized with the innkeeper before. But what I notice is many of us do what he did, and say we have "no room" for someone. In our busy society, many of us may miss God's blessings in our lives by turning away chances to live life with people. God wants us to examine His Word and think about who we are in the Christmas story and what we would do in certain circumstances.
During this holy season, if you see someone who is hurting or needs comfort, show them you care. If you’re aware of someone's suffering, try to reach out and help. This Christmas, find room in your busy schedule to make time to help others. That's how our King and Savior Jesus would like you to celebrate His birth.
“Immanuel” by Melanie Penn
"Immanuel" effectively captures the picture of Jesus being the hope of the world who came to save us from our sins. Contemporary artist Melanie Penn does a phenomenal job of capturing the essence of the song's story. Do you celebrate the baby Jesus at Christmas because He's cute and a harmless baby and then put Him away for the rest of the year?
Jesus was born in a dirty manger, and His birth was announced to the lowest of low, the shepherds. Don't miss the significance of Jesus' birth. Give Him reverence, celebrating His entire story, His birth, His crucifixion, and most of all, His resurrection. Pray along with this song: "A rebel heart is all I have, but all I have I will bring. Let us adore Him, come, let us adore Him, Immanuel."
"Emmanuel" by Hannah Kerr
I love the reflective and reverent feel of this song from Christmas Eve in Bethlehem. Every year we anticipate Christmas in my family by reading Scripture daily to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus. My wife and I spoke with our three daughters about God's prophesy in Isaiah 7:14, where God tells us exactly what is going to happen 700 years before the birth of His Son. One of my favorite Christmas hymns is "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," and this new song by contemporary artist Hannah Kerr captures that emotional anticipatory feel. You can sing this song in preparation for this Christmas season, in remembrance of Jesus and God's promise: "He meets you where you are/He holds your heavy heart/Our God is with us all, Emmanuel."
"Emmanuel (Hope of Heaven)” by NorthPoint Inside Out
What's amazing about Jesus is the ways He could have chosen to save us; He chose to come down and be the least among us and a suffering servant. The message in worship band NorthPoint Inside Out's "Hope of Heaven" is simple: hold on to Christ, as something better is coming. The song expresses the blessed hope of Jesus: "Emmanuel, Emmanuel/Jesus, hope of Heaven, here to dwell/Oh, sing my soul for it is well/Rejoice, rejoice/Emmanuel, Emmanuel." Ask the Lord Jesus to search your heart and allow you to receive Him with a childlike wonder. That's what Christmas is about.
"Behold the Savior” by Meredith Andrews
“Behold the Savior,” a song from contemporary artist Meredith Andrew’s album, Receive Our King, lifts the Lord's name in reverence: “Jesus Christ/Law of love and light/Come lift Him high/behold the Savior.” I feel like I can count on one hand how many Christmas songs include the name Jesus in the lyrics. That’s a big deal. When you search for the phrase behold the Lamb in the Bible, it's only found a few times. You can’t use the word behold about our Savior without thinking about the reverence on whom it is focused. Our reaction should be the same as John the Baptist's.
The word behold is beyond “hey look” but is more “see and worship” and “look and be amazed.” It's a full sensory experience. Look at Him. Embrace Him. Worship Him. Revere Him. This Christmas, worship and adore our Jesus. Lift high His holy name, joining in with the angels and saints, crying out with a loud voice: “He will bear our weight/He will wear our shame/Come lift Him high/Behold the Savior.”
“Baby Boy” by for KING & COUNTRY
"Baby Boy" from for KING & COUNTRY’s Christmas EP, Into the Silent Night, effectively captures the celebratory revering of Jesus: the Gospel account in Luke of the angels singing "Glory to God in the Highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men."
What's amazing is that because of how humbly Jesus came to earth, people didn't recognize Him. As the song says, "See the King is coming down/and He's here without a crown/the baby boy without a bed/giving life back to the dead."
There are billions of people on earth that don't know Jesus and His gift of salvation. So, share your testimony with others. Tell the world how Jesus saved you, dying for your sins. Tell others that He came and lived a perfect, sinless life.
In the end, Jesus will rule the new heavens and the new earth. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. That's a cause to celebrate and sing out loudly, "Alleluia/we can sing it/Alleluia/Heaven's ringing/Alleluia/Endless hope, relentless joy/Started with a baby boy."
“Heaven Everywhere” by Francesca Battistelli
Contemporary artist Francesca Battistelli’s holiday album, Christmas, contains the original song, “Heaven Everywhere.” This piece of great listening has a great devotional message. Is there something special that you do at Christmastime that you could do throughout the year? Are you showing unconditional love to someone at Christmas that you could show at another time of the year? As the song's lyrics declare: "It's funny how it takes a holiday/To show us how the world could truly change/If we all took the time to care/There'd be a little more of heaven everywhere.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, and an avid music collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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