Some of the most beautiful Christian songs are the ones that were written for Christmas. Many of them have become a part of our secular culture, too. Even people who aren’t Christian often feel nostalgic when they hear these classic seasonal songs.
Around Christmas time, many of the churches in Galesburg, IL are putting on special musical programs to sing these songs. Church members are also enjoying Christmas music during their congregational worship on Sundays.
Christmas songs are an excellent way to praise God for His gift of Jesus. The best Christmas songs have beautiful, memorable tunes and lyrics that remind us of what the holiday is all about.
It’s hard to pick a number one Christian Christmas song, but there are several winners that many people would place at the top of the list. Here are a few of the songs that get picked most often for first place! No matter how many times these songs are sung in a Christmas program or played over the loudspeaker in the grocery store, they’ve remained popular year after year.
“Joy To The World”
This classic Christmas hymn was written in 1719 by Isaac Watts. It makes sense that a song by Watts would be at the top of the list. He’s known as the father of English hymns. Watts wrote many other well-known Christian songs that many churches still sing today, like “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “I Sing the Mighty Power of God.”
However, did you know that Watts didn’t originally intend for the song to be about Christmas? Watts actually wrote the poem as a paraphrase of Psalm 98, which celebrates Jesus’ lordship over the whole earth. This song is uplifting and energizing, and it sounds best when a whole choir is singing it together!
“Silent Night”
“Silent Night” has been translated into at least 300 languages. It’s one of the most enduring Christmas songs of all time. This song is quiet, reflective, and calming. This song was written in German in the early 19th century. Europe had been experiencing a period of severe weather, which harmed crops and caused widespread economic hardship. The priest who wrote “Silent Night” wanted to provide comfort and remind Christians of God’s sovereignty. He wrote the lyrics and asked a friend to compose a tune. The rest is history!
Speaking of history, “Silent Night” made its mark on history during World War 1. In 1914, German and British soldiers were engaged in trench warfare on Christmas Eve. They approached each other in the neutral zone between them, and they decided not to fight on this one special day. They even sang “Silent Night” together.
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
This beloved Christmas song was written in Philadelphia in 1868. The author was Reverend Phillips Brooks, a preacher who had devoted much of his ministry to speaking out against the injustice of slavery. Brooks had recently visited Jerusalem, and the first stanza of this song describes his experience of looking out over the landscape of the Holy Land at nighttime. The song preceded Brooks’ rise as a well-known preacher. As his career continued to flourish, he was even asked to preach in England for Queen Victoria. However, this Christmas song has a simple tune with humble, sincere lyrics.
“Away In A Manger”
“Away in a Manger” is a somewhat mysterious Christmas song. Its origins are hard to trace, and it’s often sung to several different melodies. For a long time, people thought this song was written by Martin Luther, and it was known by the title “Luther’s Cradle Song.” However, historians concluded that this assumption was incorrect. Martin Luther spoke German, and there’s no German version of the lyrics on record before the 20th century. It seems that the song got its start in America, as a Lutheran children’s song in the late 19th century. Wherever this song came from, it remains a favorite for children’s Christmas programs today.
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”
This beautiful, majestic hymn has roots that go far back into history. Its Latin lyrics may go back as far as the 13th century, but it’s usually attributed to a man named John Wade, who published it in 1751. Wade was British, but moved to France due to political unrest and worked as a music teacher
and hymn writer. The English lyrics we usually sing in church were translated in 1853. This song was the favorite Christmas hymn of at least two US presidents. It has also been sung professionally by a wide variety of musicians, ranging from Bing Crosby to Mariah Carey.
The song ends with three repetitions of the phrase “Oh come, let us adore Him.” Many congregations like to sing the first repetition in almost a whisper, then become gradually louder and louder as they build towards a triumphant finish.
“O Holy Night”
This Christmas song is among the most difficult to sing, since it requires a considerable vocal range from low to high notes. However, the challenge of singing it hasn’t made it any less popular! Written in 1847 by a French poet, the lyrics are sung to a melody composed by Jewish composer Adolphe Charles Adams. For a period of time, some European church leaders avoided this song due to the songwriter’s controversial politics and the Jewish heritage of the composer. However, it became more popular in America during the abolitionist movement. Some of the lyrics were slightly rewritten, and the song became a clear condemnation of American slavery.
This song is powerful because it acknowledges that the world without Christ is a dark place. The melody in the verses is somber, and it reflects the weight of this darkness. However, the chorus promises that Christ’s coming brings hope, and the tune becomes triumphant and joyful.
How About You?
Do you have a favorite Christian Christmas song that isn’t on this list? Do you agree with our picks? At Harmony Baptist Church, we love singing traditional Christmas songs together as we celebrate the season. We welcome you to join us this year for singing and fellowship–see our ‘Contact‘ page for details!
