1. "Glory (Let There Be Peace)" by Matt Maher
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Christmas worship is one of my favorite parts of the season. There's just something special about combining the incredible beauty of the season with reverent vertical worship to God. Matt Maher's new worship song for the season, "Glory (Let There Be Peace)" will make a beautiful addition to any Christmas worship set list and is a worthy contender for one of the best Christmas songs released this year.
As with any good Christmas song, the focus is squarely on Jesus' birth in the manger and the reasons He came: To speak for the voiceless, hope for the hopeless, to bring us together in love, and peace for all. It's a timeless and incredibly current message all at once. The song builds to a beautiful chorus that is the musical equivalent of one of those heavy, deep sighs we all need at the end of a long, stressful, seasonal task-filled day: "Do not be afraid / His love is strong enough to save us / Nothing stands in the way / His love is strong enough to lead us."
God's love is just that simple. Love. It serves no other ulterior motive. And during a time where it feels all we're doing is ensuring we don't fail everyone around us, it's nice to sing about a love with no strings. Plus, there's jingle bells.
- Kevin McNeese, Founder/President
2. "Glorious" by for KING & COUNTRY
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The Smallbone brothers who captain for KING & COUNTRY have a way of presenting the familiar and accessible, while doing so in a way that completely shocks you and draws you into something new. People who think they have "figured out" for KING & COUNTRY's sound immediately will be confounded with the brand-new Christmas single, "Glorious." Featuring more electronic elements than we've ever heard from the group, Luke's falsetto rings stronger and brighter than we've heard it to date, while Joel delivers the punchy, declarative chorus: "He is the chord to every song we were born to sing / He is the rhythm of your heart so let the beat begin / It's so glorious, glorious, glorious is God with us." This song is worshipful without being cliche, cutting edge without being inaccessible, beautiful without being predictable, a great introduction to what's next for the band and much-needed holiday offering.
- Marcus Hathcock, Executive Editor
3. "God With Us" by We Are Messengers
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We Are Messengers' "God With Us" is a song for hurting hearts this Christmas season. Although Christmas is meant to be a joyful time of celebration, for some it becomes a hard time that feels lonely and acts as a reminder of loss. This song tackles that tender subject well, with Darren's emotional vocals leading the bold chorus that points listeners to the Hope of Christmas: Emmanuel, God with us always. While the message is perfect for the Christmas season, it's not an overtly Christmas-sounding track and is one that can be enjoyed year-round because of it's timeless truth: "He is with us always, in our joy and in our pain / in the lonely midnight, keep looking up / Love has come / God with us."
- Caitlin Lassiter, News Curator
4. "Light of the World" by Lauren Daigle
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Lauren Daigle has very quickly become one of the best-known names in Christian music, with her debut album How Can It Be sparking a meteoric rise and a chance to fill arenas with her striking voice. But for her brand new Christmas album, Behold, Lauren went home to her New Orleans roots. The result is a much more personal and intimate experience of one of the biggest voices in Christian music. The stripped back, frequently jazzy approach is part of what makes her original Christmas tune "Light of the World" shine. The lyrics however are even stronger still, marrying raw places of hurt and a worshipful heart: "He is the song for the suffering, He is messiah / The Prince of Peace has come, He has come, Emmanuel / Glory to the light of the world." Listeners will enjoy Lauren Daigle's voice in a whole new way with this calming, poignant song.
- Mary Nikkel, Associate Editor
5. "Little Drummer Boy" by Peter Hollens
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OK, I'm an a cappella nerd. It's true. I sang in a group in college, and I sang with a certain Mr. Peter Hollens. Despite the obvious personal connection I have to this talented singer and YouTube star, I'm a big fan of his a cappella rendition of "Little Drummer Boy" from A Hollens Family Christmas, featuring another YouTube a cappella star, Mike Tompkins. Featuring no actual drums--vocal percussion, snaps and claps provide the beat--there's so much to love about this bright, sonically interesting rendition of this classic song telling the story of a little drummer boy whose gift to Jesus is rocking the drums. There are some awesome jazzy/gospely chords flying throughout the song in little interludes. In one particular verse, the one about Mary, there's even a brief reference to the song "Mary, Did You Know?" (which also is a track in its own right on the record). Also make sure you check out the emotive and honest original track "December Song" on the project.
- Marcus Hathcock, Executive Editor
6. "Amaryllis" by Christy Nockels
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What I love about the original Christmas worship song, "Amaryllis" by Christy Nockels is that it sets my mind on the Light of Christmas, Jesus. The message of the song strips away the commercialism and secular celebration of this most blessed season, and instead focuses in on the ultimate gift of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I hear a yearning and longing from Christy to see Jesus face to face, and the phrase, "Sending a message to a sleeping world, that You are here with us now and You are making all things new again" is something all believers can sing to God. That's one of those beautiful truths that we can all cling to and get through anything we might be dealing with on this side of eternity, knowing that we have a blessed hope waiting for us in Heaven.
The ultimate gift of Christmas is that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin." That's cause for true community amongst God's sons and daughters and true fellowship with Him and one another. Jesus wants to give you Himself this Christmas and share in His light of life, and not walk in darkness. His love was born and bloomed in winter, like the winter flower, the Amaryllis. 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 of us, that we are the light of the world, and a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. This song celebrates that amazing gift.
- Kevin Davis, Lead Contributor
7. "The Song of Christmas" by NewSong
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Many of us get lost in the shopping, the family gatherings, the work parties--and let's not forget the vacation days off--instead of focusing on what Christmas is truly all about: the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. NewSong's worshipful and emotionally powerful "The Song of Christmas" pulls the listener into reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas: the beginning of salvation for us, the beginning of the end for Satan. "The Song of Christmas" shows reverence to our King--something we need to remember going into this holiday season.
- Staff Writer Phill Feltham
8. "Joy to the World" by Canton Juncton
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The best news in the world is found by playing a simple scale on the piano. Canton Junction's rendition of "Joy to the World" is both classic and fresh, traditional with a little edge. I love the groove they find to showcase the timeless response to Jesus' birth: Joy! In a season that so easily gets bogged down with "stuff" and the clamoring for more, don't forget the Lord has come! That's something to celebrate.
- Staff Writer Sarah Bassett
9. "Shine So Bright" by Salt of the Sound
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"Shine So Bright" is one of six meditative tracks on Salt of the Sound's latest project, the reflective Advent offering Waiting for the Dawn. Featuring bell-tones that hearken back to the mysterious melody of "Carol of the Bells," this tune by Swedish couple Ben and Anita Tatlow is all about the Light of the World coming to us. With a sound that mixes chill electronic vibes with the Celtic resonance of Enya and the octave-unison you hear with Of Monsters and Men, this song represents a sort of experience that's at once relaxing and cerebral. One of my favorite lines is one of response to this incarnation: "Will the light shine in the darkness once again? / When I see it, I let it in / You'll be the sunlight and I'll be the moon / To reflect your light, yes I'll shine so bright for you."
- Marcus Hathcock, Executive Editor
10. "Christmas is Here" by JJ Heller
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My youngest of three daughters, Bethany, is ten years old, and she has that childlike faith that God challenges us to have. As a father of three young girls, I need to point my girls to their Heavenly Father. There's a lot more we can accomplish together by leaning into God as opposed to trying to solve life's challenges on our own. Life is messy and JJ Heller's song "Christmas is Here" is a great song celebrating the joy of Jesus coming and living amongst us as Emmanuel: God with Us.
As Christians, one of the aftershocks of the most important birth in the history of the world, Jesus', are the commercial celebrations we see all around us. What we need to remember is to "not be conformed to the patterns of this world." We need to sing "Gloria" and celebrate the birth of our King and Savior. The song expresses the blessed hope of our Savior, Jesus: "Light in the darkness, hope for the hopeless, His love will never fade away, Heaven came down to earth, To bind our wounds, and wipe away our tears." Ask the Lord Jesus to look into your heart and allow you to receive Him with a childlike wonder.
- Kevin Davis, Lead Contributor
11. "Come To Save Us" by All Sons & Daughters
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It's not flashy, but there's something about the soothing melody and simplistic lyrics of All Sons & Daughters' "Come To Save Us" that makes it a terrific addition to my annual Christmas rotation, courtesy of the Majesty in a Manger compilation by Integrity artists. Perfect for a quiet Christmas Eve at home, Leslie Jordan and David Leonard do what they do best, crooning, "You're the hope among us / You're the peace that binds us / You have come to save us, Lord." It's a subtle, much-needed reminder of the true reason for the season: God's redemptive plan through Jesus' birth and ultimate sacrifice on the cross. As my schedule picks up during the hustle and bustle of the busy Christmas season, this track helps me focus on what truly matters. Let us never forget the baby in the manger.
- Micah Garnett, Publicity Manager
12. "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep/Silent Night" by Jody McBrayer
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Let me start by saying this particular combination is magic to me. My favorite Christmas movie is "White Christmas." My favorite Christmas carol is "Silent Night." And since I first heard Avalon, Jody McBrayer has been one of my favorite singers. So, I'm biased. However, someone who has never seen "White Christmas" or listened to "Silent Night" or heard of Jody McBrayer will enjoy this song. While Bing Crosby's warm bass/baritone is smooth and rich, Jody's tenor is velvety and tender. The tone is reflective and reverent, befitting the season of peace on Earth and goodwill to all men.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXKxazgio2s bing and rosemary (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fADc19Svf0U jody (audio)
- Staff Writer Sarah Bassett
13. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Hannah Kerr
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"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a classic song that personifies family gatherings--lounge style. The right version of this song can fill the listener with Christmas spirit and stir memories of Christmases past. In my opinion, this song is not open for musical interpretation, remixes, or so-called new versions. Hannah Kerr's version respects the song's classic sound and achieves the song's intended goal: filling the listener with Christmas spirit. Good job, Hannah.
- Staff Writer Phill Feltham
14. "A Big Ole Texas Christmas" by Canton Junction
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Canton Junction wishes everyone across the globe "A Big Ole Texas Christmas." Texas is known for having bigger everything, so why not Christmas too? "A Big Ole Texas Christmas" is a swingin' celebration of the season. It's like a big boot-stompin' singing Christmas card that shares Canton Junction's heart for their listeners this holiday season.
- Staff Writer Phronsie Howell
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