I love Christmas music of many different genres. I’ve chosen a few songs here that you might find encouraging, in no particular order. I even made a Spotify playlist, although Spotify have added some other songs to it. As ever, I’d love to hear your favourite Christmas songs. Do get in touch and let me know!
Who would’ve dreamed? Sovereign Grace
I heard this performed by a band at the school carol service at work two years ago and it’s really stuck with me. Such a beautiful tune and glorious words. “But to this little town of no great renown, The Lord had a promise to keep.” Let the sense of anticipation build in your home this advent!
Messiah, You Have Come by Skye Peterson
We first heard this song when we watched an Andrew Peterson concert online and he invited his daughter up to perform. I think it was 2021, when we were covid-weary, and this mellow little song just hit the spot. Sometimes you don’t feel like bopping around to Wizzard. Sometimes you want a gentle song like this to warm your heart. “Oh the baby in the manger Would trample over death.”
When the Fullness of Time Had Come – Randall Goodgame
This might be my favourite. It’s not even a traditional Christmas Bible verse. It’s beautiful, it’s amazing, it’s sweet. It will teach you this verse, and the reference, in the English Standard Version(!): 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Galatians 4:4-7)
Happy, Happy Day – Colin Buchanan
Colin’s Christmas album is absolutely brilliant. I have a particularly fond memory of my children singing this song at the top of their voices whilst doing some sort of insanely messy crafts. But the whole album is top notch and full of joy. Our family nativity play always ends with a positively frantic rendition of ‘On that very first Christmas.’ If you’re wondering why all my suggestions are so mellow, crank up some Colin and enjoy yourself. “Angels singing, Do Not Fear, Christ the Servant King is Here.”
We love the memory verse songs from Seeds Family Worship. They are fantastic at getting scripture into your memory, where they will stay for good. They’re supposed to be for children, but we all know the adults need them just as much. I remember driving up the M1 singing Joy with my husband. We were both marvelling at how brilliant it is. His favourite part is the same as my favourite part (I wonder if it will be yours, too). The children weren’t involved in this conversation! But the song does feature in our annual nativity play. The Lord Jesus really is good news of great joy for all the people. Belt it out.
(Fun fact about driving home for Christmas: Chris Rea, who sang ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, is from Middlesbrough like me. So when I’m driving home for Christmas, I’m driving to the place he was thinking of when he wrote that song. Top to toe in tailbacks indeed.)
Bonus track:
Lapwing, Hope Christmas Gets You to Me
In 2020 I got in my car one day just at the moment that Radio 2 were playing this song. It was the first (and possibly only) time it’s ever been played. Later that day I found out that the band is composed of some dads from my nieces’ school gate. What were the chances? They were in shock as suddenly thousands of people were watching the video they’d made in Glasgow city centre.
“Cause I’m missing the touch of the ones that I love,
Couldn’t care less what’s under the tree;
I don’t know what I’m getting for Christmas this year,
But I’m hoping it gets you to me.”
We were absolutely desperate to see our family that Christmas. The words really resonated. Then, Boris Johnson cancelled our trip. We didn’t get to see each other after all. Gifts were frantically posted. I had to race to Asda to buy food for Christmas dinner. My sister-in-law had an enormous turkey crown to go round 5 people. I wept in my husband’s arms.
But God is faithful. Christimas wasn’t really cancelled. Jesus is more than enough to celebrate. This song is a good reminder of what a blessing – a bonus blessing – it is to be with family at Christmas.
Mum in Zone One 