Underrated Christmas Songs

Well, it's officially the holiday season--the weather here in central Texas finally dropped below freezing yesterday, and my mom put up Christmas lights. Yes, we are definitely Christmas-before-Thanksgiving people, but we have an excuse: Our family lives so far away that they generally only come down for one holiday, and that's Thanksgiving, so we try to squeeze in all the harvest and yuletide festivities in one week.

Now that decorations are going up, I no longer feel guilty playing Christmas music. As Buddy the Elf once said, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear. So, if you like to listen to music while you write, here's my top-five list of unknown, underrated Christmas songs. You might have heard of some of the artists before, but these songs aren't what they're known for, even though the lyrics are stunning. Without further ado:

1. Old City Bar Trans-Siberian Orchestra

                    TSO is best known for rocked-out variations of classical compositions, such as Sarajevo 12/24 (their take on Carol of the Bells) and the sweet, choral Christmas Canon. However, Old City Bar also deserves a spot on your Christmas playlist. This song tells a story of an unexpected act of kindness on Christmas Eve, with a twist at the end.

2. I Need a Silent Night Amy Grant

                    While this Christian artist has dozens of excellent Christmas songs, ranging from classics like Winter Wonderland to new beauties such as The Night Before Christmas, I Need a Silent Night stands out as an experience everyone can relate to--the need to get away from the Christmas rush and return to the fundamentals of Peace on Earth and Good Will Towards Men.

3. How Many Kings Downhere

                    This artist may be little-known, but How Many Kings is a beautiful meditation on God's love for the world in sending his son. To quote: "How many kings would give up their thrones? How many lords would abandon their homes? How many fathers would give up their sons for me?"

4. Light of Christmas TobyMac, Owl City

                    Well-known Christian singer TobyMac is featured in this bouncy, poppy song about the true meaning of Christmas and the joy of giving. This song is part of an album of Christian artists and their new takes on Christmas music, including Jamie Grace with Mary's Boy Child.

5. Glorious and Heavenly Hosts For King and Country

                    You get a bonus song! This band's signature Christmas song may be Little Drummer Boy, but their original compositions Glorious and Heavenly Hosts, while not as rocked-out, are just as beautiful. A lyric from each, respectively: "He's the chorus to every song that we were born to sing," and "Holy, holy, holy, love has come to save us."

I could talk about my favorite underrated Christmas songs all day--Heaven Everywhere by Francesca Battistelli, What a Glorious Night by Sidewalk Prophets, Here to Stay by Hannah Kerr and Cochren and Co., On This Winter's Night by Lady A, and The More You Give (The More You'll Have) by Michael Bublé, to give your five more--but unfortunately, I have limited time this cold drizzly Monday to discuss the most wonderful time of the year. Until next week, fellow writers!