Songs for Christmas (or Any Time)

I love Christmas music.

There, I’ve said it.

But the local radio station starts playing Christmas songs on Thanksgiving weekend and I get burned out on their 100-song rotation. Who will save us?

For me, the best Christmas songs are songs of faith, songs that speak to the mystery and wonder of God Incarnate. And I’m also interested in arrangements and interpretations of traditional songs that give them new life.

Two albums that never get old for me are Bruce Cockburn’s Christmas and Sufjan Stevens’ Songs for Christmas. Cockburn’s record contains some gems but his simple rendition of “Silent Night” is money. My favorite songs on Stevens’ album actually aren’t the Christmas songs but two hymns, “Come Thou Fount” and “Holy Holy Holy.” Not a fan of all the graphics in the videos below; close your eyes and enjoy the tunes.

What records are you listening to in the Christmas season?