For anyone that knows me, it’s no question that I LOVE Christmas. In fact, I love it so much that I tend to drive people nuts by listening to Christmas music year long. Yeah, I’m one of those people. But you know what, everyone’s got their thing and I just happen to love Christmas.
I think what confuses people the most is they hear Christmas Music and assume it’s childhood songs like Frosty the Snowmanor Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. Now, while I do enjoy a good jazz instrumental of these songs during the month of December, these aren’t the Christmas songs I’m listening to year long. It’s actually the Christmas Worship songs. You’d probably be surprised to find out that most of your favourite worship artists have put out outstanding Christmas Worship albums in recent years. They’re usually a mix of modernized Christmas Carols, Christmas Carols with a modern chorus, or completely new songs written about Christmas.
We sing songs about the Resurrection of Jesus and the events of Easter all year long, yet we restrict Christmas Worship to December, why? I think it partly has to do with the stigma that the Christmas Season brings. Black Friday hits and all of a sudden its Christmas Music on the radio non-stop until Boxing Day. Some people get sick of it, which is a fair point. But I think they use that as an excuse not to give these songs a chance. So today I’m here to bring you my favourite Christmas Worship Songs & Albums for you to check out this season, and who knows you might find some good songs to use in your church this Christmas.
Top 10 Christmas Albums
For Unto Us (Christmas Worship Live from London) – Paul Baloche
Paul Baloche, in my mind, is the king of congregational friendly arrangements, and this album is evidence of that. It has a good mixture of old, really old, and new songs, many of which have a mashup of a modern chorus with the traditional carol, making it easy to sing in church while also still being able to Worship. Hark the Herald (King of Heaven), For Unto Us (We Adore You), and Your Name are standouts on this album for me.
Christmas: The Peace Project – Hillsong Worship
Hillsong Christmas album is a great blend of classic carols, re-inventing old carols, and completely new songs. Their version of Joy to the World provides a new catchy chorus, while Arrival is a brand new song focusing on the story of Jesus’s birth.
Christmas LIVE from Phoenix – for KING & COUNTRY
for KING & COUNTRY and their band are just superb. If you ever get a chance to go to one of their concerts I highly recommend it. While this album is less congregational friendly, it’s still a great album with a great focus, and some powerful choruses. The Proof of Your Love is the stand out song for me on this album along with Little Drummer Boy (which works great as a special for your Christmas Eve service!)
Joy to the World – Lincoln Brewster
If you’re looking for a “youth/young adult” Christmas album, this is it. Lincoln Brewster’s loud electric guitars and modern recordings turn this classic carols into a ton of fun to sing, including his version of Little Drummer Boy with a catchy hook.
Joy to the World (Live) – Jeremy Riddle
Jeremy Riddle’s EP is the shortest album on this list, but it’s a simple modern recording of classic Christmas Carols. So if you’re looking for something that’s true to the source material with a modern swing, this is your album to check out.
Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship – Chris Tomlin
This is the first Christmas album I ever got hooked on. Between Chris and Paul, they were the ones to really pioneer modernizing Christmas Carols into Christmas Worship (in my opinion at least). Tomlin’s rocking version of Angels We Have Heard on High and worship songs like Glory in the Highest make this album a great place to look for Christmas Worship songs this season.
A Mostly Acoustic Christmas – Lincoln Brewster
This album is mostly just a great listening album. A lot of great instrumentals good for background listening, and a few modern carols in classic Lincoln Brewster fashion, just with less electric guitar.
Peace on Earth – Casting Crowns
I love Casting Crowns, they have a raw authentic worship to them and this album is no exception. It’s nothing amazing, but it’s a solid album and definitely worth a listen to.
Christmas – Phil Wickham
This album is ok I guess. It’s taken a few listens for it to grow on me, I’m not sure how I feel about any of the arrangements in a church context but its a great background listening album.
Adore – Chris Tomlin
Funny enough I didn’t expect Chris Tomlin to make it on to the list twice, but his Adore album does have some solid versions including the title track Adore and a Christmas Alleluia which is just a beautiful song.
Top 10 Christmas Songs
- Hark the Herald Angels Sing / King of Heaven – Paul Baloche
- Joy to the World (Reimagined) – Hillsong Worship
- For Unto Us a Child is Born / Open the Eyes of My Heart – Paul Baloche
- Arrival – Hillsong Worship
- O, Come All Ye Faithful – Chris Tomlin
- Glory in the Highest – Chris Tomlin
- Go Tell it on the Mountain – Jason Gray
- It’s Christmas (Medley) – Chris Tomlin
- Little Drummer Boy – for KING & COUNTRY
- Arrival – Hillsong Worship
Bonus Songs
These songs aren’t necessarily Christmas, but can definitely be used in a Christmas set!
- Peace Be Still – The Belonging Co
- King of Kings – Hillsong Worship
- The Proof of Your Love – for KING & COUNTRY
- Your Name – Paul Baloche
- What Can I do – Paul Baloche
- God with Us – Bryan & Katie Torwalt
- He Shall Reign Forevermore – Chris Tomlin
- King of All the Earth – Bryan & Katie Torwalt
- My Soul Magnifies the Lord – Chris Tomlin
What are your favourite Christmas songs? Leave a comment down below!