Yesterday I posted my thoughts on “Christmas Wouldn’t Be Christmas Without …”  Come to think of it, I forgot an important one, but I guess that makes a great segue into today.  The music.

I do LOVE Christmas music  In fact I currently have 653 Christmas songs on my I-pod.  Unlike some folks, I only like listening after Thanksgiving.  Guess I need to stay home more to hear all of my tunes although I might keep listening into the first part of January… 🙂 Even my exercise playlists in December feature Christmas music!

For this week before Christmas, just like last year, I thought I would again feature some of my favorite songs of the season in a countdown of sorts.  While I do really like some of the more secular songs (in fact I think I will be listening to Sidewalk Prophets fun version of “White Christmas” soon since we actually have snow this morning …) But on this blog, I really want to feature some of the great songs that are written about Jesus.  After all, it is His birthday we are celebrating.  Thanks to the wonders of YouTube, that is as long as you know what you are looking for, you will be able to see and hear the songs.

TobyMac’s “Christmas in Diverse City” is just as the album implies – eclectic.  (His songs are definitely some of my favorite workout ones!)  Due to various reasons, my family has become Owl City fans lately.  My kids were quite excited when they realized that one of TobyMac’s songs featured this band.  So for a very fun version of “The First Noel,” click below, then read more further below for the story behind the song.

One book series that has made Christmas songs more meaningful is the collection of Stories Behind the Best-loved Songs of Christmas” by Ace Collins.  (He has a More Stories book too!)  Anyway, I learned that this is old folk song and is in fact one of the oldest Christmas songs still around today.

Interestingly the author points out that there is a bit of a theological discrepancy.  While the song is from the shepherd’s point of view and does talk about them looking up and seeing the star that also guided them to the baby.  I guess that could have happened, but more than likely, the angels were light enough.  Anyway, what is beautiful about the fact that perhaps the lyrics got it wrong?  Despite the flaws, the song is still a gift of worship.  “Born is the King of Israel.”  He definitely got that right.