Top 10 Country Christmas Songs You'll Want on Your Playlist

I love Christmas, and for me, what makes part of the holiday season special is the music. It's everywhere - on the radio, stores, restaurants, concerts, holiday parties. You can't help but smile when you hear some of the songs - maybe they remind you of a favorite childhood memory or maybe it's a favorite traditional carol. Maybe the song is new to you but it speaks to you anyway. And if you had a choice, there are always some songs you wouldn't mind being on replay 24 hours a day. The fact is music speaks to us and moves us and country Christmas songs do both quite well. The list below is a Top 10 list of some traditional and original songs, with the reverently sung carols to the right down silly song about a penguin.

To start off the list, there are two songs sung by Martina McBride. While there are certainly other country female superstars, legends, and divas, Martina is arguably the one with the best set of pipes and not to mention great song selection! She picks songs that showcase her vocal range but she also picks songs that touches people. In her Christmas album, she wrote that she chose songs that reminded her of a good old-fashioned Christmas album, an album you would want to put on and listen to as you settle in for a night of wrapping presents. Two of the best songs featured on that album that highlight Martina's skills with a song are "O Holy Night" and "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

The next three songs come from country singers that have made their mark in country music. Trisha Yearwood's "It wasn't his child," is a favorite as I've listened to it for years. I particularly like the song because it focuses on Joseph when many songs this time of year focus on Jesus or Mary. The other reason I like the song is because it talks about a man loving a child that is not of his flesh and blood. I am adopted and so this father's love for a child takes on special meaning to me. The next song by Vince Gill just gives me goose bumps when I listen to it and it's a great reminder of what we should strive for, especially during the holiday season. This song is "Let there be peace on earth," which he sings with one of his daughters when she is very young. The next song to make the list is by Reba McEntire. There are many songs one could add from Reba's repertoire. However, only one song makes the top 10 list. "The Angels Sang," makes you want to sing and Reba's voice inspires you to hear angels singing.

The next two songs come from the country superstar couple of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Faith Hill's standout holiday song is from the movie, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (2000). Faith Hill sings "Where are you Christmas?" - Cindy Lou Who's question as she watches everyone in Whoville be more concerned about presents and holiday decorating contests. It's actually a great question to be asked each holiday season and a reminder that Christmas is more than about the presents, the tinsel or the holiday lights. Tim McGraw sings, "Dear Santa." If you ever feel like you get caught up in the bustle of day-to-day life and forget to show your appreciation and love to your spouse, this song is for you. It's about a husband asking Santa to bring gifts to his wife who has a broken heart and needs words he's left unspoken. Makes me wonder what my husband will ask Santa to bring me this year as he hears the song again.

Also on the list is Jo Dee Messina's "A Joyful Noise." Above all, Christmas is a celebration. And perhaps that is why music is so important. We are celebrating and when we are celebrating what better way to do that than to make a joyful noise! I love her song simply because it is a reminder to celebrate the birth of Christ and to find something you are thankful for and to find something that is worth celebrating in your life.

And finally, Brad Paisley is known for his tongue-and-cheek style songs. And so, he brings us two songs on his holiday album, Christmas, Brad Paisley gives us two songs that may make you shake your head, chuckle or out right burst out laughing. In honor of our son who loves penguins, a family favorite is "Penguin, James Penguin." The other favorite is "Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday" - a take on what some old-time country singers will do if they have to sing all the holiday tunes with politically correct language! You may dissolve into laughter as my husband and I do every time we hear it, especially if you have any familiarity with the country singers like Little Jimmy Dickens or George Jones that are featured on the song.

You may go to Amazon.com and find most of these songs available to listen to as a preview, or to purchase as an MP3 file or to purchase as part of the Christmas or Holiday album.