We’ve been taught about the power of hymns to bring us closer to the Savior. As I’ve been driving around town running my errands the last few days, I’ve also found that certain Christmas music also has that power – the car is one of the only places where I’m really able to listen to music and hear the lyrics. I’d like to share with you a couple of my favorite Christmas songs and explain just why they impact me so greatly.
The first is “O, Holy Night.” I have loved this hymn for as long as I can remember. It’s gentle, like a lullaby sung to welcome the Christ Child, but then the line, “Fall on your knees” comes across as a commandment to worship. If you picture the beauty of the newborn Christ and His tender sweetness, of course we would fall on our knees – He is our Savior and deserves no less than our total devotion. I appreciate every version of this song but my favorite is sung by Josh Groban.
Next is “Mary, Did You Know.” For those of you who have not had the opportunity to hear this song, the lyrics speak to Mary, asking her if she knew just Who it was she had just brought into the world. Some of my favorite lines – “This child that you delivered will soon deliver you” and “Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little baby, you’ve kissed the face of God?” That line gets me every time. If I’m driving, I have to flip the radio off or I’ll be trying to drive with tears streaming down my face. My favorite rendition is the one performed by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd.
Another favorite is “Still, Still, Still.” The very nature of this song is soft and lilting, reminiscent of a hushed and quiet winter night, with the snow softly falling. The choirs who sing it always use their most gentle voices, not to overpower the listener but to lull them. My favorite line is “Dream, dream, dream, of the glorious day to come, while guardian angels without number, watch you as you sweetly slumber.” The tone of the music evokes worship and wonder of this sacred night.
My other favorites include “O, Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Away in a Manger,” and “What Child is This?” Each of these songs speaks of the joy of welcoming the Savior into the world and the honor that is ours in knowing Him.
As you fill your home with decorations, good food, and gifts this holiday season, I would also like to invite you to fill it with uplifting, religious Christmas music as well. I’m certainly not opposed to a little Rudolph here and there, and I enjoy Frosty the Snowman as much as the next person, but playing the Christmas carols that praise the name of Christ will help usher in that Christmas spirit like almost nothing else.