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My Top Five Contemporary Christmas Songs

 


I. Noel, Christ Tomerlin feat. Lauren Diagle, 2015





There are many renditions of Noel, but Lauren Diagle singing it is like an angel from the heavens, I love the second chorus, “Son of God and Son of Man, There Before the World Began. Born to suffer, Born to Save, Born to Raise Us From The Grave, Christ the Everlasting Lord, He shall reign Forevermore.” The song feels otherworldly, it truly contains the Parousia, mentioning Christ’s first and second coming. Lauren conveys a transcendence that makes you feel you are in the New Jerusalem and New Heaven. 


II. Gloria, Michael W Smith





A classic. I love the sound and beat. Michael W. Smith really captures the spirit of worshipping Jesus, the chorus, “Gloria Eclesio Deo,” is so good! It is one of the few Latin sentences I adore, and connects us to Christians from the Middle Ages who sang in latin!  



III. This is Christmas, Kutless, 2011





Kutless has been a consistently brilliant Christian band throughout the years. This song is very unique because it paints a picture of what our world would be like without Christ born in a manger, then it shifts gears to proclaiming his birth. I don’t think any Christmas song is like it in ambition and scope. It will shake you you a little, but that may be a good thing this time of year. 


IV. Emmanuel, Amy Grant, 1983



Amy Grant sings Isaiah 7 & 9, and its so powerful, it has that 80’s cheerful sound and beat you’ll never hear again. It is such a charming song, at Grant’s peak of popularity.  


It is amazing we have ancient prophecy that foretells Jesus’ birth. Here are the passages Amy sings, “Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings.” (Isaiah 7:13-16), and “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)


V. You Gotta Get Up, Rich Mullins, 1993



Rich Mullins somg captures what it felt like as a kid on Christmas morning. We all at one time or another wanted a bike or red wagon, and he conveys the nostalgia of simpler days when we waited all year for Christmas Day. He of course mentions the Reason for the Season, “I hope there will be peace on earth and good will toward men, on account of that Baby born in Bethlehem.”  


These are my top five picks. They each capture the Spirit and Meaning of Christmas. I think each is a masterpiece, and will one day be considered classics like Handel’s Messiah. Amen. 

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