9 Christmas Songs That Will Make Your Heart Dance

I love Christmas music. Love how the soundtrack of life takes a turn for the whole season. Adore how the whole wide world (Germany included) changes its tune for a while.

I love how everything around Christmas time puts on a different air. Admittedly, sometimes that air is kind of rank. Like the grumpy that starts to take over in the stressed-out mall-goers. And the messy of wrapping-paper-central that takes over the living room and threatens to take over my every sense of delight in the beautiful packages I work on.

But the rest of the air at Christmas time, well, I find it really sweet. I especially love the soundtrack that walks me through the mall in the middle of the crazy people.

So today, I thought I’d introduce you to some of my favorite Christmastimes jingles. I’ve linked almost all of them to a you tube version. I hope you’ll listen. And let your heart dance to the soundtrack of this month.

1. Hallelujah (Light Has Come) by Barlow Girl. Seriously, this one gives me chills. It’s Christmas in a song. It makes me bow my heart. Points me to the True Light that gives light to everyone. (See John 1:9.) It’s my favorite kind of song. 

2. Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song) by Amy Grant. The Christmas after I graduated from college, my friend and I had this CD playing while we drove around Akron. We got to this song, cranked it up, and sang with Amy as loudly as we could. Then we hit the back button about 20 times and did it all over again. For about 2 hours. Love. This. Song. The words. The key. The notes. The way it makes me wonder what Mary must have gone through as she carried God around in her belly those nine months.

3. (Must’ve Been Ol’) Santa Claus by Harry Connick, Jr.  It makes me want to dance. And look out my window for Santa. Happy ho ho ho to you! 

4. Mary Did You Know? by Mark Lowry. Yeah, this song. The words, they make me pretend like I’m Mary looking at Baby Jesus while He sleeps and then learns to walk. And I think how amazing that woman was to be able to treasure so much in her heart. And I think how overwhelming it must have been to potty-train God. And my heart worships Him because He is God. And He became a man. There is just so much about this that inspires the deepest praise I can muster.

5. Joseph’s Lullaby by MercyMe. My all-time favorite version was actually performed by Ben at my church’s’ Christmas concert at my church a few years ago. (Yes. He is that good.) Anyway — I love how this song makes me remember the kind of faith it took Joseph to actually marry Mary and then to raise a child that was not his own. I love how he loved her. How he loved Him. This song makes me want to live like that.

6. Gotta’ Get Up (Christmas Song) by Rich Mullins. I hear it and want to wake up at 4:30 on Christmas morning and go ask my sister if we can wake up Mom and Dad yet. I want to lay down on the floor next to her bed and wait, asking every three minutes until she say yes. This song makes love the memories of waiting. And anticipating. And being a little kid on Christmas morning.

7. O Come, O Come Emmanuel. It’s so sad. And beautifully haunting. Our we-have-nothing need for God to rescue us. O come, Lord God! We need you. And then — He did! He came! A baby human delivered in a stable to deliver us from the sad haunting of life without Him. Here’s a version by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

8. The Hallelujah Chorus by the people at the mall who did a flash mob. Inspired worship right in the middle of the food court. It breaks me up every time I watch. No joke. Hands raised. Indeed, He shall reign. Even in a food court.

9. Rachel’s version of O Holy Night. Best part of the song? Fall on your knees! Chills everytime.

So — what’s are some of your faves? I want to know. Please?