I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas:

Christmas, such a wonderful time of the year. I love the colorful lights, beautifully decorated homes and lawns, brightly wrapped gift boxes, and wonderful music. This time of year brings much joy to many people all over the world. Below is a list of 10 favorite Christmas songs of various genres.

1. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. (various artists)
It was introduced in 1944 by Judy Garland for the play "Meet Me in St. Louis". After some criticism of depressing lyrics, Frank Sinatra later changed the words from "Have yourself a Merry Christmas it may be your last/Next Year we will all be living in the Past" to "Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let yourself be light/Next year all our troubles will be out of sight."

2. The Christmas Song. (Nat King Cole)
This song is also known as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire," or "Merry Christmas to You." It was written by Mel Torme and Bob Wells and then made popular by the singer Nat King Cole.

3. Winter Wonderland.
Though Christmas is never mentioned, it has become a song sung at Christmas time. Its inspiration came from New York's Central Park in Winter and became the biggest chart hit in 1934 with Guy Lombardo's orchestra.

4. Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow. (Dean Martin)
Otherwise known as "Let it snow", this song was written on one of the hottest days on record in Hollywood, California in 1945. It reached number one on billboard's music chart in 1946. Though Christmas is never mentioned, it is considered a Christmas song due to its seasonal theme.

5. Little Drummer Boy. (various artists)
This popular Christmas song otherwise known as the "Carol of the Drum", is based on the story of a little boy who played his drum for the infant Jesus with Mary's approval. It was written by Katherine K. Davis, though Harry Simeone Chorale was given the credit, though he only helped arrange it.

6. I saw Mommy Kissin' Santa Claus. (Jimmy Boyd)
Written by Tommie Connor and sung by Jimmy Boyd, it reached number one on billboard charts in 1952. It was chosen by Neiman Marcus to promote their Christmas card that year.

7. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (various artists)
A favorite of children, this song first recorded by Gene Autry, is about a reindeer with a bright red nose who could light the night so that Santa's sleigh could get through with his load of gifts. Several cartoons and a movie have been made about Rudolph.

8. Silent Night. (various artists)
Also known as "Stille Nacht" in German, the lyrics to this popular song were written by an Austrian Priest Father Josef Mohr and set to music by an Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber. An English translation was published in 1859 by John Freeman Young. This is the version that most people sing today.

9. Mary Did You Know? (various artists)
This is a more recent popular song in the Christian and Gospel music world but has been sung in other genres as well. It was written by Mark Lowry in 1984 and is based on his thoughts about what the virgin Mary may have been thinking regarding birthing the Savior of the world.

10. White Christmas (Bing Crosby)
Probably the most popular Christmas song of all time, it appeared on all lists. It was written by Irving Berlin in 1940 and sung by Bing Crosby for the movie Holiday Inn, and later used for the title of the movie White Christmas in 1954. It is recognized as the best selling single of all times and has sold millions of copies worldwide.