I think secular Christmas music can be pretty horrible. I've always felt that jazz is the best thing to happen to Christmas in ages. However, the greatest Christmas music is in the sacred tradition. Some of which dating back hundreds of years. To pick my favorites was difficult. I believe Christmas music was not just meant to be heard but to be sung by everyone so I included on my list some sing-a-long settings which I love the most. Keeping that in mind, none do not properly belong on this list. I found myself constantly drawn to the sacred tradition of Christmas music. There are many great ones I didn't include for one reason or another, and please challenge me on my choices! But I'll likely be very stubborn. These ARE the greatest Christmas songs.
Here are my top five favorite songs to hear this time of year. Each is a masterpiece and ranking them was difficult and may be interchangeable.
6 - Jesus Christ the Apple Tree (Elizabeth Poston)
5 - Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (Lo, how a rose e'er blooming) (Michael Praetorius)
4 - Once In Royal David's City (arr. David Wilcocks)
3 - A New Year Carol (Benjamin Britten) [YouTube doesn't yet have a decent recording I could find)
2 - The Three Kings (Healy Willan)
1 - Stille Nacht (Franz Gruber and & Joseph Mohr)
Best version is the original, with the original melody/harmonies, and guitar accompaniment; of course with congregation call-and-response. THIS is Christmas to me. (I was unable to upload and audio of this, let me know and I will email you a recording of this- the image at the top is of the original score)
