I love Christmas time and usually start listening to Christmas music after Halloween. I know, I know, I’m one of those people. But the last few years I’ve noticed I’ve felt worn out on the music and the season by the time Christmas actually comes. Maybe it’s different because I’m an adult now. There’s more stress and more to do.
I’ve felt the need to bring some of the Christmas spirit and Christmas magic back this year, and I figured the best place to start was focusing on Christ.
I don’t know about everyone else, but I can only listen to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause so many times. Some of the typical songs are fun for kids or are nostalgic, but I’ve found a Pandora station that I LOVE! I don’t even know how I found the song How Many Kings, but my Christmas station this year is based off of it, and I’ve found so many amazing songs.
I listen to it every day right now but thought it would be fun to make a list of 25 Christ-centered Christmas songs. One for every day of December leading to Christmas Day, so I can focus on one and really think about it each day. You can listen to one a day, all of them in a row, mix up the order, start your own Pandora station based on your favorite, or even put them all in a jar and pick one out each day. However you do it, I hope these songs bring you the Christmas spirit just like they have me.
- How Many Kings by Downhere: It probably sounds silly, but this is the song that helped me realize there were Christmas songs out there that I hadn’t heard. It has helped me to think about what Jesus and Heavenly Father did for me.
- The Night Before Christmas by Brandon Heath: I like how this song talks about what the world was like before Christ was born. It shows us how much of a blessing it was that Christ was born to save us from this world.
- While You Were Sleeping by Casting Crowns: This gives a different perspective on the world Christ came to. Instead of it just being the innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph away, the song points out how Bethlehem and the United States need to “wake up” and make room for Christ in our lives.
- Jesus is Alive by Josh Wilson: Jesus is alive. I think we sometimes forget what that means. How Jesus conquered death. We have so much to celebrate! “This Savior in a manger changes everything.”
- This is Christmas by Kutless: I love how this points out how so many of the things we relate to Christmas don’t really matter. We wouldn’t have Christmas if it wasn’t for the Savior. We can’t forget the holiday is really about Christ.
- A Strange Way to Save the World by 4him: This is kind of a different Christmas song. But I like how it points out how unexpected the Christmas story was. It also makes me think that small and common things and people and situations can prove great.
- Christmas Changes Everything by Josh Wilson: Christmas isn’t just a time of the year when we see pretty lights and give and get presents. It’s “hope in a manger.” Christmas changes everything.
- Oh What a Glorious Night by Sidewalk Prophets: This is a fun, upbeat song about the night Christ was born.
- I Cannot Find My Way/Three Kings by Michael McLean: My favorite song from the Forgotten Carols! I’ve heard this song my whole life, but I get a different message from it every year. We don’t often focus on the wise men in songs, but in a lot of ways, we are like the wise men.
- Hope Was Born This Night by Sidewalk Prophets: Because Christ came to earth, we have hope. We have joy.
- I Need A Silent Night by Amy Grant: I wonder what it was like in Bethlehem that night. How wonderful it would be if we had that kind of peace and hope in our homes this Christmas instead of stress and hurry.
- Let Him In by Michael McLean: The innkeeper is commonly talked about as part of the Christmas story, but we don’t usually talk about things from his perspective. Not only is it interesting to hear what his story might have been, but we can also learn to let Christ into our lives.
- Baby Boy by for KING & COUNTRY: I love this song. I love the way it sounds, and the lyrics are so insightful. It all started with a baby boy. I look at my little boys and think what it would have been like to meet Christ as a baby. How much potential and power a tiny baby could have. “Endless hope, relentless joy started with a baby boy.”
- Handel’s Dream by Michael McLean: We know there were choirs or angels singing when Christ was born, but do we ever really think about them? How amazing would it have been to be part of that choir? And how sad would it have been to not be allowed to sing in the choir?
- Joseph’s Lullaby by Mercy Me: We usually focus on Mary, so I love hearing this song from Joseph’s perspective. He seems so protective and so loving. Very sweet.
- Homeless by Michael McLean: Christ may have been born in a stable, but he still saved the world. There is a great message here about how our circumstances aren’t all that determine our lives.
- Mary Did You Know? by Pentatonix: I know this song can be controversial. However, I love the message. I think it is a great way to remember so many of the things Christ did and the reasons we celebrate his birth.
- Glory to God by Downhere: It’s easy to get caught up in this song, but if you really listen to the lyrics, the night Christ was born is told in an almost poetic way. “God chose not to glory in wealth, power, fame…”
- The Shepherd by Michael McLean: I love how this song directly relates to us today. We weren’t there the night Christ was born. We have to choose to believe… the Christmas story and so many other things. It’s also fun to think about the shepherd who fell asleep and didn’t get to go to the stable.
- Joseph by Michael McLean: Another great song about Joseph. I think my favorite part is when he says, “How could one so foolish and so flawed ever hope to raise the Son of God?”
- He Has Come For Us by Meredith Andrews: This is a mix with God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. I love the sound of it and the focus on how Christ came to earth for us.
- Angels We Have Heard On High: I’ve tried to find uncommon Christmas songs, but this classic is beautiful!
- Beautiful by Kutless: I love the thought that the night Christ was born was beautiful. From the star in the sky to the baby Jesus to the hope he brought to the world. I also really like how this song ties the Christmas lights to Christ being the Light of the World.
- Christmas is Coming by Jason Gray: Think about experiencing Christmas again through the eyes of a child. Not because of Santa or presents but because of Christ. “Be taken by the wonder that took the whole world by surprise.”
- The Heart of Christmas by Matthew West: Christ. Christ is the heart of the Christmas. The reason we celebrate. Slow down, enjoy family, give service… just as Christ would.
