Hi,
I am wondering what your favorite Christmas songs/artists are... stuff that really helps you focus on the true meaning of Christmas... thanks for your help. This site has helped me so many times in the past. May God bless you all this week. Just said a prayer for you all for peace, love and joy.
love, amy

Hey Amy!

A few of my favorites include the "City on a Hill" project, Steven Curtis Chapman's Christmas music and a bit of old-school Nat King Cole. How about you?

Well, I absolutely love the Mannheim Steamroller version of Silent Night (which i think they call "Stille Nacht" on the CD.
I also like his (Chip Davis) version of The Holly and the Ivy, and Christmas Lullaby.

I also really like any of the gentle Christmas CD's that are marketed as "relaxing or calming"... they are usually instrumental, and i use them as background music for dramas in our kids ministry. (i work w 2nd and 3rd grade at a large church)
there was a really nice version of The First Noel and Joy to the World on one put out by Target called "Calming Christmas".

Then i like the really celebratory stuff too.. but I confess i am really drawn to the gentle stuff. It is amazing to watch what happens in a room of 100 plus kids who are hyped about presents and cookies when you play a gentle Christmas lullaby and dim the lights and have Mary and Joseph on the stage with a manger, and a group of humble shepherds appear... It is absolutely captivating. I had a gentleman tell me the other day that it was the first time he felt like it was really Christmas. We are in a somewhat depressed economic area and many have lost their jobs this year, and yet Christmas this year was like a tonic that just gave them all a break from the worries... everyone i know had to cut back drastically and yet it was maybe one of the nicest Christmas' ever...

After our drama, we presented the message of hope, and invited kids to step across the line of faith... over the weekend, we had 34 kids make that decision. I know the music helped prepare their hearts and allow them to shift focus for the time, what a gift at Christmas! I sat with a group of 3rd grade girls (one of which made the decision) after the production, and heard the other girls all encouraging the newest member of God's family... and then to hear them ponder what Heaven will be like, and will they meet Mary and Joseph, and what does God look like... it was like God just reached down and said, Merry Christmas Amy!

(so you can tell i am sentimental!)
But i asked because i am always on the lookout for what strikes people as their favorites, and i often end up loving them myself.
And then i may use them in my ministry.

I like Nat King Cole too...
Merry Christmas everyone.
love, amy

Great story of the power of music and the power of Jesus' love

If you like gentle music you'd love the 2 I mentioned above - excellent this time of year