Asymmetric Music

I don't mind secular Christmas songs if they're kept below a certain percentage of the total. All of that "snow and presents" stuff begins to grate if that's the only kind people play- like they're trying to hide something or are semi-embarrassed by "the reason...." Not the songs in this post: They're open-chested, proud Christian carols. To all of my Christian brothers and sisters (and all of my other brothers and sisters who take it in the way I mean it), Merry Christmas!

The First Noel with Musica Sacra

Silent Night with Dinah Washington

Follow up:

Little town of Bethlehem with King's College Choir

Lift Up your Heads with Bavarian Radio Symphony.

Joy to the World with Dame Joan Sutherland and New Philharmonia Orchesta.

It came upon a Midnight Clear with Singverein Der Gesellschaft Der Misikfre.

God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen with Leontyne Price and Vienna Philharmonic.

Do you Hear What I Hear with Bing Crosby.

Away in a Manger with King's Colege Choir.

Adeste Fidelis with Lucianno Pavarotti.

Little Drummer Boy with Bing Crosby.

It's tough to choose between the two versions of O! Holy Night below. I think you'll agree that one of the most beautiful commands in music is "Fall on your knees." Nat sings this line sweetly whereas Bing Crosby sings it like we'd better do it. The contrast can be a metaphor for contemporary views of Christianity.

O Holy Night with Bing Crosby

O Holy Night with Nat King Cole

The Voices of Christmas

The Time-Life Treasury of Christmas

Tags: best religious christmas music, best religious christmas songs, top ten christmas songs