Top 10 Country Christmas Songs

This isn't a list of tired classic Christmas songs that have been recut by country artists. Its a fresh list of songs that will bring you to tears, say, "oh yeah, I've been there" or just inspire you to string Christmas lights on your house. It doesn't list the silly songs that get so much airplay such as "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" by Elmo and Patsy or "Leroy the Redneck Reindeer" by Joe Diffee.

Since you are reading this, you probably already know that country music is about real life, and often the kind everyone imagines at Christmas. It's stringing popcorn and drinking hot apple cider with family. It's curling up with someone special under an afghan as the mesquite logs crackle in the fireplace. It's playing board games in some hidden away, rustic cabin as the snow drifts against the tall pines outside. Country music captures that feeling of cutting your Christmas tree from a snowy mountaintop where you can almost feel God's breath on your neck.

Here are songs that conjure up Christmas images and feelings as only country music can, sung by artists that touch the heart in their special way.

County Christmas Song # 1 - "Mary Did You Know"
Artists: Kathy Mattea, and as a duet by Kenny Rogers with Wynonna Judd, Reba McIntyre
Written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene

This powerful, spiritual song was written in 1984 and has been covered by artists in many genres. There are many thought provoking, goose bump lines, such as "This child that you delivered will soon deliver you".

Country Christmas Song # 2 - Christmas Cookies
Artists: Oak Ridge Boys, and George Strait
Written by Aaron Barker

This infectious song is all about a guy who is telling his sweetie how much he loves her Christmas cookies. Apparently, he loves them so much that he eats them before she can even get the icing on them! The best line is, "Every time she sticks another batch in the oven, there's fifteen minutes for some kissin' and huggin'".

Country Christmas Song # 3 - "Christmas Shoes"
Artist: Newsong, Bob Carlisle
Written by Eddie Carswell and Leonard Alstrom

This song, is reported by Wikipedia to have started as a viral internet legend that just might be one of the most touching songs ever written. I consider it country because of its gospel melody which is a big part of many country songs. It is a story about a little boy who wants to buy a new pair of shoes for his Mom who is dying and a stranger helps him pay for them.

Country Christmas Song #4 - "Dear Santa"
Artist: Tim McGraw
Undetermined Writer

A heart broken by her man is the subject of this Christmas song. A theme many women and men will be able to relate to in this line, "Dear Santa bring her a heart, the one she's got is broken, fill up her stocking with the words that I left unspoken."

Country Christmas Song # 5 - "I Only Want You for Christmas"
Artist: Alan Jackson
Written by Zack Turner and Tim Nichols

The title speaks to the lyric content. The singer just wants his sweetie and that's enough as is driven home by the lyrics, "I only want you for Christmas, baby, I don't need nothing else, I only want you for Christmas, baby, Tie a ribbon 'round yourself."

Country Christmas Song # 6 - "Let it Be Christmas"
Artist: Alan Jackson
Written by Alan Jackson

This is a song hoping for peace and happiness around the world, a common Christmas theme with Alan's unique songwriting spin on it.

Country Christmas Song #7 - "Wrap me in Your Love"
Artist: Joe Diffee
Written by Wyatt Easterling and Stacey Slate

This song delivers the message every woman wants to hear. Joe sings this play on words, "Cause if the best things in life are free, there's nothing you could buy for me, your presence is enough, Wrap me in your love.

Country Christmas Song #8 - "All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan"
Artist: Kenny Chesney
Written by Paul Overstreet

As one might expect, Kenny is not wishing for a white Christmas but a Christmas where he can stick his toes in some warm, white sand. He is using his boyish charm and lyrical images of a Jimmy Buffet style Christmas to persuade his lady to agree to pack up and head for some beach somewhere (Oh, that's another song!). (Kenny, I'll join you on any island you choose!)

Country Christmas Song # 9 - "It Wasn't His Child"
Artists: Trisha Yearwood, Skip Ewing, Sawyer Brown
Written by Skip Ewing

This is a song that takes a different angle and tells the story of Joseph and Jesus, father and son. It shines the light on the fact that Joseph accepted Mary's baby as his own. Very touching and gives listeners a fresh, thought provoking point of view of an ages-old story. Stuff that hit songs are made of.

Country Christmas Song #10 - "It Won't be Christmas without You"
Artists: Brooks & Dunn
Written by Steve Busch, Jerry Williams and Ronnie Dunn

This 2002 song tells the sad tale.about the typical lonely heart at Christmas, but with this dynamic country duo singing it, you hear it in a whole new way. You don't know why she's gone and whose fault it was, but you want to help with a hug.

Ready to burn that CD now? Me too! And suddenly I also have a hankering for Grandma's fruitcake!

Resources:

Metrolyrics.com
Amazon. Com
YouTube.com
Cowboy Lyrics.com
LyricsMode.com
CMT.com