Soundtrack to Christmas

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season has always been the music.

Although I didn't even realize it was happening, over the years, certain albums have become deeply-rooted, precious traditions to me. Time can't erase the memories attached to these songs! Tonight while I was baking Christmas cookies and Amy Grant was singing in the background, I reflected on all of the years she has voiced the truth of the Incarnation to me.

I am so thankful for traditions like these. They provide snippets of constancy throughout years of change.

So... I thought I'd share my top 10, gotta-hear-em-or-it-isn't-Christmas albums (AND if you read until the end, you'll get a free gift! Seriously!)

1. A Christmas Album by Amy Grant: the first one I listen to every year (starts with Tennessee Christmas). When I met her, she signed the CD cover for me. And it just might be one of the things I grab first if our house ever burns down.

2. All of Ray Conniff's Christmas albums: my mom's family grew up listening to Ray Conniff Christmas, and she passed her love of the Conniff clan on to me. Quintessential holiday.

3. December by George Winston: all piano. Insanely beautiful. While Brian and I were dating, he somehow managed to find all of the written music online (Winston has never published it). Now I play along with George every Christmas.

4. In the Christmas Mood by Glenn Miller: instrumental big band/swing - you won't be able to keep your feet from tapping!

5. Christmas by Michael W. Smith: his upbeat version of Gloria was the coolest thing my fifth grade ears had ever heard. And its still pretty awesome 18 years later.

6. Psalty's Christmas Calamity by Psalty: yes, I'm referring to the big blue talking book. Ok, I probably only listen to it a couple of times a season, and mostly for laughs when I'm with my family, but truly, it takes me back! :) Someday my kids will listen to it with me. And they will love it.

7. Christmas Portrait by The Carpenters: can't get any smoother than Karen's voice.

8. Music of Christmas by Steven Curtis Chapman: oh, how I love his rendition of O Come O Come Emmanuel which transitions into Our God is With Us. I can't listen to it without being moved to tears by the beauty of the gospel.

9. Home for Christmas by Amy Grant: this is the one that Breath of Heaven is on. When I was in middle school, I was in a drama group at my church. And for the Christmas Eve service one year, I got to dance to this song as Mary.

10. Christmas by Manheim Steamroller: yes, it's soooo old school. But I can never get enough of Stille Nacht (the arrangement of Silent Night where you can hear the rushing wind; its easy to imagine yourself standing outside the stable the night that Jesus was born).

Thanks for bearing with me! I'd love to know your tried and true favorites - always looking for more to add to my repertoire!

Now, as my Christmas gift to you, go download a FREE 20-song Christmas sampler from iTunes, featuring Amy Grant, Lady Antebellum, David Archuleta, Rascal Flatts and even Weezer. Something for everyone. But hurry, it won't be free for long!