I told you there would be more. Here’s another collection of classic Christian Christmas songs to brighten up your Christmas playlists this holiday season.
Downhere - “How Many Kings”
It’s quite amazing how a song from a little known Christmas compilation from a then fledgling Christian music label became the most successful song for the band. Originally from the Bethlehem Skyline compilation, “How Many Kings” muses how of all the kings and rulers in the world, only one gave his only Son for us. And gave him not in some earth-shattering battle, but sent him to earth as a child in the most humble of places. Written by vocalist Marc Martel, this song was so popular that it ended up being used on several of the band’s subsequent projects. It was sung at concerts all year round, despite the Christmas theming. To this day, it’s arguably the band’s most successful and well-known song, and still a staple of Christian Christmas playlists. Despite the song now being old enough to vote, it has stood the test of time to become a legitimate classic.
Jars of Clay - “Bethlehem Town”
Originally from City on a Hill: It’s Christmastime, this song speaks about Mary and Joseph appreciating the moment where Jesus is safe and warm as a baby, despite the shadow of what He would one day do ultimately hanging over him. Jars of Clay was a major presence in Christian music for a good decade or so back a ways, and this song exemplifies why. Dan Hastletine’s vocals are instantly captivating in their soft delivery, and the band’s low-key approach makes for fine reflective musical listening perfect for quiet evenings by the fireside.
Krystal Meyers - “King of Angels”
From a little-known compilation called Come Let Us Adore Him that more or less played as a sequel to the City on a Hill Christmas albums. Krystal Meyers was a hot new player in Christian music for a few years in the latter half of the 2000s. With an aggressive brand of rock-edged Christian pop, she enjoyed a nice run of hits. Lesser known was her original contribution to this album. Lyrically, the song’s standard Christian Christmas fare, but with a more rock-driven delivery giving it an energy to stand out from the pack.
Newsong - “The Christmas Hope”
Not the inclusion you might’ve been expecting from Newsong. While most known to Christmas music listeners for a certain sad song that people either love or detest, Newsong actually has a pretty deep collection of Christmas songs. This one in particular, co-written with Matthew West, has always been a standout. An encouraging Christmas anthem for those who fight depression and loneliness during the holidays, it reminds us all that Jesus is our hope and that He is the Light that will guide us home. For those who might’ve been jaded by Newsong’s certain tale of a dying mother, perhaps this song is just the remedy you need to give Newsong’s Christmas repertoire another chance.
Phil Keaggy - “And On That Day”
An underrated and lesser-known song from one of Keaggy’s regular non-seasonal studio albums, this song tells the story of the Annunciation to Mary and the story of John the Baptist’s birth. These stories serve to illustrate how “on that day was put in motion the means of our redemption…through the young and Blessed Mary came the greatest gift of all.” Other than in the song’s bridge, the song remains a fairly low-key acoustic number, with Keaggy’s restraint on the song serving to help its simple message resonate. While it may not have been marketed as a Christmas single, it’s definitely an appropriate inclusion for the Christmas season.
Joy Williams - “2000 Decembers Ago”
I loved this song from the first time I heard it. Something about it, be it the opening beat or the anthemic delivery make you stop and pay attention. The song asks if anyone could possibly have looked at the baby Jesus and seen only a child and not the king that he was. The song’s musicality evokes the cold and dark night Jesus was born. Williams sounds flawless here and the song is definitely an underrated gem that you would do well to give a fresh listen to.
MercyMe - “Joseph’s Lullaby”
I mentioned in my last article how songs sung from Joseph’s perspective were comparatively rare. This is another one of those rarities. The song is exactly what its title implies, a lullaby to the newborn baby Jesus sung from St. Joseph’s perspective. As a new father myself, I have an even deeper appreciation for the song’s simple and soothing delivery, a fine conclusion to a more upbeat and fun The Christmas Sessions from MercyMe.
Relient K - “I Celebrate The Day”
“And the first time that you opened your eyes did you realize that you would be my savior/and the first breath that left your lips/did you know that it would change this world forever.” It’s this chorus that carries this song to classic status. While known for their more playful and witty songs, this profound Christmas ballad from the punk rockers still stands as one of their crowning achievements. It’s simple questions and subsequent confessions of faith offering a profound and meaningful meditation for the holiday season.
Todd Agnew - “Did You Know”
My last article mentioned a certain song that asks what Mary knew. And the above two songs in this list touch on asking what Jesus knew. But this song takes that theme and takes it to the next level. This song dares to ask “how much heaven and how much earth were in this baby at his birth.” It’s a thought provoking question, and Todd Agnew is known for theologically challenging songs. His powerful vocal delivery hammers the song home even more, and his imagery offerings some potent imagery that is hard to get out of your head. “Did the cross cast a shadow over your cradle/did you shudder each time your hammer struck a nail?” For those looking for Christmas music with some more challenging and meaty lyrics, look no further than this song.
Yes, this still barely scratches the surface of the amount of quality Classic Christian Christmas songs (let alone all the one that one day will be classic). What songs would you want to see in a future list? In case you missed it, check out Vol. 1 right here.
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new Christmas novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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