Every song you hear seems to say "Merry Christmas"

Wherein Our Humble Narrator Doth Endeavor to Present an Utterly Unbiased and Most Scholarly Examination of Those Celebrated Phonographic Masterworks Devoted to the Sacred and Festive Season of Christmas (or Other Winterly Holidays), Thereby Equipping the Discerning Listener With Such Essential Knowledge as Is Required for the Enjoyment of Melodies of the Highest and Most Refined Quality

It’s that time of year! I don’t know about you but I LOVE the Christmas season. I love decorating, baking, watching Christmas movies, the smells, the holiday villages, the garland, the Christmas trees, the decorated houses, the traditions… really all of the stuff that makes the Christmas season The Christmas Season, I enjoy. 

And one thing I enjoy in particular is Christmas music. I enjoy it so much that it is a struggle, (legit struggle!) to not listen to it too early. Once a year I started at the beginning of October but by the day after Christmas I was… a little tired of the music. This did not go down well with Mrs. Martini who prefers to listen to Christmas music closer to the day (both before and after). Since then, I’ve started listening to Christmas music on October 31/November 1.

I say that to let you know, I have strong opinions when it comes to great Christmas albums. And now, you’re gonna hear about it! What follows are my absolute favorite albums and you should give them a chance.

First off, let’s carry things on from the title which is a quote of the Christmas Waltz, sung so memorably by the legendary Frank Sinatra. 

You know the hits on this song–they’re memorable and played endlessly on different radio stations this time of year. And you know? They should be. They’re timeless classics. Who can forget the classic J-I-N-G-L-E Bells? Or Dean Martin singing Rudy the Red Beaked Reindeer? It never gets old. 

Now, maybe you like the classic Christmas songs, like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen but enjoy a little bluegrass at the same time? Then look no further than The Petersen family!

My family loves this album! And rightfully so. This family is extremely talented. You should check out their YouTube channel. There are so many great songs! But of all of their songs, it is their Christmas songs we enjoy the most. 

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - The Petersens (LIVE)

Also, listen to Santa Train–there’s a little Easter Egg reference to a Relient K Christmas Song. 

Maybe, after listening to The Petersens, you find yourself in the mood for the Christmas Story. You know, The Christmas Story. 

Good news–literally. There is an excellent album that tells the Christmas story unlike any other album I’m aware of. I am speaking, of course, of the phenomenal work by Andrew Peterson (no relation to the above family) Behold the Lamb of God.

I'd love to share a cover of his album, but he does a good job of protecting this stuff. I'm not a Balrog. Check out the Rabbit Room for more.

If you aren’t familiar with the amazing Christmas stories and the way that Jesus the Messiah (Christ) fulfills so many Old Testament prophecies and how the Old Testament points to Jesus, listen to this album. One of the great things about it is how catchy he makes Scripture. Take, for example, the wonderful song based on Matthew 1:1-18. Otherwise known as Matthew’s Begats. 

Matthew's Begats by Andrew Peterson with Lyrics

Okay, only a few more to go. 

Let’s take a diversion. How about something fun and… unexpected.

Barenaked for the Holidays!

Yes, Barenaked Ladies made a Christmas (holiday) album and yes… it is one of my favorites. Please, let me have the benefit of the doubt. It is really well done. While there are some fun songs (Green Christmas) and good covers (Do They Know Its Christmas) there are two standout songs on this album.

The first is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen featuring Sarah Mclachlan. It is hauntingly beautiful. The second is possibly the best Hanukkah song I know: Hanukkah Blessings. 

Barenaked Ladies - Hanukkah Blessings (Official Audio)

Now, a newcomer. I’ve just started listening to this season. But it is truly wonderful. It is Chris Renzema’s album Every December. 

I really like this album. It has a folksy sound. But it also has a wonderfully fresh take on traditional Christmas songs. Maybe it is because I’m currently reading Two From Galilee but I never really thought about how magnificent the love story between Joseph and Mary truly was. Renzema’s song, Mary & Joseph, does a beautiful job of illustrating that falling in love is a miracle, staying together during challenging circumstances is a miracle. And Jesus’ conception was a miracle. 

The fun thing about this album, and it is very fun, is the songs which are deeply biblical and then end, with a perfect tradition, to a traditional Christmas carol. Like this one, which is what first caught my attention.

There Came A Light / O Holy Night

Finally, my favorite Christmas album. Like they say, save the best for last, right? 

Listen, in my mind, there is no better Christmas album than MercyMe’s Christmas Sessions. I don’t even know what to say other than get a copy and listen to it from start to finish and then tell me if you can resist the temptation to just listen to it all over again. 

There’s nothing new on this album…except it is all new. They reimagine every classic Christmas song and somehow, make it familiar and new at the same time. Beautiful and enduring. This album is simply… the best. Let’s take a simple song, like the Little Drummer Boy, and see what they do with it (or if you're impatient for the slow build up skip to about 1:20). 

Little Drummer Boy by Mercy Me

Okay my friends, that is it. May you have a Merry Christmas and may you enjoy the sounds and songs of the season! 

For the sake of engagement... what do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Any albums you'd add?