Christmas Standards - Old and New

Christmas music holds a special, wistful place in my heart. It automatically brings memories of watching snowfall, and gathering around the dinner table for Christmas dinner. From hymns to contemporary songs, there are a number of Christmas pieces that always get in the season. Here are some of my favorites. Maybe they'll touch your heart and bless your family this Christmas season. In no particular order…

"Mary Did You Know?" (Mark Lowry/Buddy Greene). This tune is now a modern-day Christmas standard. It has been recorded by everyone from Kenny Rogers to Kathy Mattea to Clay Aiken to Mark Lowry himself. The song is a narrative of questions Lowry wrote while developing a script for a local Christmas event.

"The First Christmas Morning" (Dan Fogelberg) - in what promises to become a modern Christmas standard, Fogelberg tells story of the birth of Jesus, set to a wonderful melody.

"Don't Save It All For Christmas Day" (credits…) performed by Avalon, Celine Dion, Clay Aiken, et.al. This is another newer Christmas tune that is becoming very well-known. It talks about the spirit of giving and how we should all be in that spirit everyday not just on Christmas.

"We Are The Reason" (David Meece/Dwight Liles). This song has been also widely performed in CCM circles. A beautiful and poignant reminder of the reason for the season.

"Nothing But A Child" (Steve Earle) - a beautiful song that brings the miracle of the Christ child into our modern lives "so once again we all can be children for awhile". Covered by Kathy Mattea, LeeAnn Womack, et.al.

"Precious Promise" (Steven Curtis Chapman) - This tune is from Chapman's first Christmas album, and is a nice departure from the standard modern overly orchestrated holiday effort. With just an acoustic guitar, Chapman weaves a special tale about God's promise to man in the form of baby born in Bethlehem.

"White Christmas" (Irving Berlin) - to call Berlin a genius of a songwriter, may not be too far-fetched especially considering he wasn't very musically inclined at all. No matter…with this tune Berlin crafted a song that will be remembered for generations to come. It's hard to imagine Christmas without this tune somewhere in the rotation. Covered by more singers than I can list here… :)

"The Christmas Song" (Mel Torme) Otherwise known as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire", many people forget that Mel Torme, the Velvet Fog himself, wrote this tune. Perfectly capturing the mood that it sets, this song has likewise been covered by more artists than I can list here, although Nat "King" Cole's version is a standout.

"Celebrate Me Home" (Kenny Loggins) - This song might be forgotten by many, but it's a nice tune for the holidays for sure. It immediately evokes memories of arriving home for Christmas dinner with family.

"O Little Town of Bethlehem" (Phillip Brooks/Louis Redner). This carol originates from the mid-19th century and has long been one of my favorites come Christmas time. The line "the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight" brings a tear of joy to my eye every time I sing it each Christmas.

"In The Bleak Midwinter" (Rosetti/Holst) - I had not heard this tune until I heard Dan Fogelberg cover it. It is now one of my very favorite Christmas songs. It is so simple and succinct (as all truly great songs are), its beauty lies in the message and the melody that carries it. Truly wonderful…

There you have it. There's a cross-section of some of my favorite Christmas songs. Hopefully you'll find one or two of them that you haven't heard before. Make yourself some hot apple cider or a pour a glass of egg nog, snuggle up by the fire, and listen to some fine music this Christmas.