Nearly any hymn is good for me, some more so than others. Then again, I'm a church organist so I'm a bit biased.
As far as other songs, I like:
- "All I Want for Christmas Is You
" by Vince Vance & the Valiants (not the Mariah Carey song — I swear I've never heard Mariah's song, but I've heard Vince Vance & the Valiants' song a billion times)
- "Mary, Did You Know?
" (there are other versions, but I like Kenny Rogers with Wynonna best)
- Any version of "Sleigh Ride" that includes the "There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray" part (I swear, only 5% of any renditions that I've ever heard have that part)
- "Redneck 12 Days of Christmas
" by Jeff Foxworthy
- "Rusty Chevrolet
" by Da Yoopers
- "Born on Christmas Day" by Brad Paisley (he was a pretty good writer at age 12, and hearing child!Brad and adult!Brad singing together is pretty cool)
If we can include songs from TV and films, I'm gonna add the following:
"The Very First Christmas to Me" from the Sponge Bob episode "Christmas Who?" A classic.
And one of the most tearjerking songs from a Christmas special, "I'm All Alone in the World" from Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol. I dare you not to cry when listening to this.
I'll throw in my choices.
"Away In A Manger" was probably the first Christmas carol I ever heard, so it always seems to end up my favourite.
Paul Kelly's "How To Make Gravy"
is possibly the most conflictedly upbeat yet incredibly sad Christmas song out there, so if you haven't listened to it yet, have some tissues nearby.
The chord change in "O Holy Night", particularly in Nat King Cole's rendition, sends chills up my spine.
Fall on your knees!
Now hear the angel voices!
O night divine!
I am not a religious person, but in that moment, I can believe in something powerful.
I'll hide your name inside a word and paint your eyes with false perception.![]()
Which melody? "Mueller
" by James R. Murray, or "Cradle Song
" by William J. Kirkpatrick?
Personally, I've always liked "Mueller" best for that song since it was the only melody I knew to it for the longest time. At one church I play for, one hymnal has both, but the other has only "Cradle Song". I sight-read my way through it once, and thought it sounded like a knockoff of "Mueller".
edited 13th Dec '13 9:35:36 PM by Twentington
Carol of the Bells
is always my favorite, but this version by the Piano Guys is amazing.
Speaking of that, if anyone has any other good versions (mostly choral), I'd love a link.
You've got to admit, carol of the bells is one creepy Christmas song.
Keeper of The Celestial Flame

Well, that time of year is coming up. This is a thread for people to share their best Xmas songs - be they carols, hymns, or hit singles.
I'll start us off with:
and
- Slade - Merry Christmas Everybody.
Schild und Schwert der Partei