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Jesse Slater's avatar

I will be the Anglican pedant, and point out that this is Advent. The Christmas season begins on December 25th, rather than ending.

The *Advent* hymn par excellénce however, is O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Nothing captures the longing and expectation for a savior and Messiah by a broken World quite like it.

https://youtu.be/7xtpJ4Q_Q-4?si=m5sZjh3T6j8pTS9d

Sam Robb's avatar

Oh, fine choice! That sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it.

Tiffanie Gray's avatar

Mary did you Know (Pentatonix version is my favorite) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

(Okay, most Pentatonix versions of Christmas Songs and Hymns are my favorite, with Home Free's versions being next, and Voice Play third - I like Acapella!)

O Holy Night is probably my next favorite, and then Little Drummer boy and Do you hear what I hear.

And I love Loreena's Dickinson Christmas - she has a few other lovely songs of the season, too. My heart cries for the little child - who is also adorable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQNQRpxOHqo

And Carol of the Bells for non-Christian.

Sam Robb's avatar

Shari would agree with you about Home Free, I think. They're one of her favorite bands.

Jesse Slater's avatar

Our priest is hilarious on the subject of "Mary Did You Know."

"Don't these people read?!? Of course she did!!! Gabriel told her!!!" 🤭🤭

Tiffanie Gray's avatar

Right?!

There's a cute song that is "Tonight you are Mine". Mary ruminating about all the things to happen in the future, but saying, but, now, He is still a baby.

Codex redux's avatar

Never heard the Pogues or that song until now. You are correct: one fine Christmas song.

Thanks.

Dustin Roberson's avatar

I am partial to "The Little Drummer Boy." Jars of Clay has about 20 versions, and I love and cry at all of them.

When you say Familylife, do you mean the ministry Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepin did on the radio for years?

Sam Robb's avatar

Little Drummer Boy is amazing :)

No - there's actually a lot of "Family Life" organizations out there. Technically, they're "Family Life", and we're "FamilyLife Network".

Jesse Slater's avatar

To actually answer Sam's question, though, my favorite Christmas him is Angels We Have Heard on High.

There is nothing quite as transcendent as singing Gloria in excelsis Deo at full throttle. It's always made me feel like part of the Heavenly host, for those few moments.

https://youtu.be/WHWqj6gKS9g?si=fPQgOIxkSutnp7Oh

Sam Robb's avatar

I agree. You can't help but belt that out, especially in a crowd!

Tiffanie Gray's avatar

And here is a great version of O Holy Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVKcej20-uk

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Dec 18, 2024
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Tiffanie Gray's avatar

Are you sure that's the right link?

Tiffanie Gray's avatar

And I like Pentatonix's O Come Emmanuel.