After we shared our deepest frustrations over the most annoying Christmas songs, let’s focus on the positive and see what Christmas songs really touch us. It could be because of the lyrics, a certain version, the melody, or a combination of multiple factors, but fact is that certain Christmas songs just reach deep inside us.
One of my favorites is the Dutch version of Silent Night. In case you didn’t know, Silent Night was originally written in German and then translated into several languages, including English. The English version, however, lacks the spiritual depth of the original version. The Dutch translation is way better, maybe because German and Dutch are similar languages and are thus translated easier. Translated, the Dutch reads “Peace and salvation is delivered to a world lost in debt (sin). God’s promise is gloriously fulfilled. Amen, to God be the honor!” To me, That’s Christmas.
But my opinion is just one of course, so again, I did a completely unscientific informal poll on social media and amongst my friends and came to a top 3 of best Christmas songs.
3. Go Tell it on the Mountain
Whether it’s in a full black-gospel version (my preference), or a stripped down version by Mahalia Jackson as one friend posted (see below), Go Tell it on the Mountain exudes the joy over Christ’s birth. I also have a cd from Dolly Parton where she sings it and I love that one! (I looked it up on Youtube and lo and behold, there was a video…after watching it I decided that some songs are better without a video, ha!)
[Video via YouTube]
2. Oh, Holy Night
There are so many great versions of this song, but also quite a few mediocre ones. It’s one of those songs that does make you wonder if people mean what they sing…the lyrics are so deep (“Christ is the Lord!”), so powerful, and the melody so beautiful. Personally, I can’t stand Mariah Carey’s version because she tries a little too hard, has too much trouble finding the right tone đŸ™‚ Mahalia Jackson has a stunning version, but my favorite here is Celine Dion. She shows admirable restraint in embellishments and hits all the right notes (literally).
http://youtu.be/7OZ5MoUXKgc
[Video via YouTube]
1. Ere zij God
Yeah, so this one is probably unexpected and you may even wonder what the heck it says. That’s because it’s a Dutch song. ‘Ere zij God’ means ‘Glory to God’. It’s a classic Dutch Christmas song, where the lines from the angels’ choir are repeated (“Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth and goodwill toward men.”) In many Dutch churches, Christmas services end with this song. I grew up in a Baptist church and we indeed ended every Christmas service with this song. My grandparents sang in the choir and I have vivid memories of the congregation and the choir blending voices to lift praises up to God. Almost all of my Dutch friends mentioned this as their favorite song, so I thought I’d share it with you. It was hard to find a good version on Youtube. The one I chose is not a professional recording and it’s even entirely in Dutch,as it was recorded in California (though I’ve never heard a translation of the song anywhere else, must have been a one-time thing), but you can hear the choir lifting above the congregation just as I remember. Hope you like it!
[Video via YouTube]
Honorable mentions were: O Come All Ye Faithful, O Come Let Us Adore Him, Silent Night, Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendour, O Come Emmanuel (I’m now realizing how many Christmas songs start with ‘o come’!), and In the Bleak Midwinter.
I’d love to hear what your favorite Christmas song is (and why).
Share in the comments!
[Image via Free Images STXC, cc]
Bryan Chalker says
Hey Rachel – my favorite is “I Celebrate the Day” by Relient K.
The words have always jumped out at me and grabbed my heart. The last verse summed up the emotional impact of the previous ones…
“And I, I celebrate the day that You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life
Pray for You to save my life”
It helps me keep Christmas on a personal level and I enjoy the song throughout the year.
Rachel Blom says
I love Relient K! I agree, awesome song, great lyrics.
Joan says
There are so many, but I have to go with O Holy Night too. I even know someone who is not a believer who says this is his favorite Christmas song.