Anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE Christmas music. I’m not ashamed to admit that I start listening to a few select Christmas cds July and gradually add more to my music lineup until it is all Christmas music and nothing else.
The other day I was organizing my cds and making sure that my Christmas ones were easily accessible and decided to make a list of my top 10 Christmas albums to share it here. However, I quickly discovered it was impossible to choose only ten, so I expanded it to 20.
In no particular order, here are the first five.
1. Sarah Brightman ~ Winter Symphony I waited my whole life for Sarah Brightman to come out with a Christmas album, and a couple of years ago, she finally did. It wasn’t exactly what I had envisioned, and it actually took me a while before I really loved it, but now I listen to it almost year round. I love the opening song, Arrival, (which I recently discovered is based on an old ABBA tune, who knew?), as well as Ave Maria, a duet with countertenor Fernando Lima, Carpe Diem, a duet with Mario Frangoulis, and the over the top, exploding with Christmas sparkle and spirit, I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day. Rounding out the album are a couple of non-Christmas Vince Gill and Neil Diamond covers and the ubiquitous Silent Night and In the Bleak Midwinter. 
2. Amy Grant ~ A Christmas Album This album came out in 1983, and I have to say, I don’t really remember Christmas without it. We had it on a record, then a tape, and now I have the cd. It is really the perfect Christmas cd. Tennessee Christmas, Heirlooms, Emmanuel, Sleigh Ride…Ahhh, I love all the songs on this album. For the record, Amy Grant’s two other Christmas albums, while not quite as good as this one, are worth having, too. 
3. Mannheim Steamroller ~ A Fresh Aire Christmas Christmas music and Mannheim Steamroller go together hand in hand. I’m pretty sure the number of Christmas albums they have recorded is in the double digits, but this one is my favorite. It came out in 1988. I remember that we had a copy of it on a tape and my mom would turn it on for my sister and me to listen to after we went to bed. I absolutely loved the arrangement of Carol of the Bells when I was small. Now when I listen I am instantly transported to the late 80s and Christmases of my childhood. Good times.
4. Sarah McLachlan ~ Wintersong This one came out about four years ago, and when I bought it, I had no idea I would like it as much as I do. Even though it is over done on Christmas albums lately, I especially like her cover of Happy Xmas (War Is Over). Her take on What Child is This is beautiful, as she uses a new melody. River, The First Noel/Mary Mary, and In the Bleak Mid-Winter are standouts, too. 
5. City On A Hill ~ It’s Christmas Time City on a Hill produced a series of several cds a few years ago that were thematic and featured a bunch of popular Christian artists. This is the Christmas one. It is a compilation of traditional Christmas carols and newer, original Christmas songs. The whole album is worth a listen, but I especially like Babe in the Straw by Caedmon’s Call, Bethlehem Town by Jars of Clay, and O Holy Night sung by Michael Tait and Leigh Nash. Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow!
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