As we blast Christmas playlists each year or hear Christmas music on the radio, we often hear the same 50 songs over and over. The classics are classic for a reason, but they can get old after you’ve heard them playing so much. If you’ve been listening to Christmas music since Thanksgiving, you might be so over the regular carols by this point. But it’s not Christmas yet! If you still want to celebrate the reason for the season with some festive music, this is the ultimate Christian Christmas playlist that you didn’t know you needed.
This is a collection of songs that are lyrically meaningful and have gorgeous melodies. These songs are relatively unknown and may not be on any of your regular playlists. I hope this will help you find some new music to keep things fresh and meditate on the meaning of Christmas. Comment below with your favorite from the list, or add your own suggestion. The link to the playlist on Spotify is throughout the article so you can listen for yourself!
Magnificat
Artist: Redeemer Community Church
Description: This is the kind of song that needs no introduction. The lyrics quote Mary’s own poetic song praising God for His blessing upon her. Her response of worship to Jesus’ birth announcement can set all our hearts on his gift to us this Christmas.
Lyrics:
My soul magnifies the Lord
My God has looked on me with favor
He takes the broken and builds up
He hears the pleading of His people
And could it be that through this body
The world will be made new
And could it be that through this child
The world will be made new
Arrive
Artist: Anna Mariam Brown
Description: I discovered this song when I found a young songwriter who wrote a musical about Jesus’ life. The full musical is being developed to be performed onstage currently, but this was one of the first songs from the soundtrack that captured my heart. It’s a gorgeous duet between Mary and Joseph contemplating what Jesus’ birth means for the world. Once you listen to it, it’ll get stuck in your head. Here’s a snippet of the lyrics:
Lyrics:
And I hold Him without any hesitation
In this moment, we get a revelation
This Child we’re holding could be our salvation
Mary & Joseph
Artist: Chris Renzema
Description: I found this song browsing through Spotify and grew to really like it. It’s both a love song between Mary and Joseph and also beautiful storytelling painting the picture of how this miracle changed their lives. Songs like these help me meditate on the story because I can imagine the scenes and emotions through lyrics like these:
Lyrics:
So, Mary, Mary
The day you’re getting married
And this isn’t what you dreamed of
Walking down the aisle at eight months
They’ll never understand
That this isn’t what you planned
So, Joseph, Joseph
These rumors, they get real rough
And the name that you defend
Well, it’s the name of real love
You couldn’t see where this road led
But you believed her
A Strange Way to Save the World
Artist: Matt Bloyd
Description: This may not be a new song for you. It’s been around for a while. This is a special arrangement that isn’t quite as well known. I first heard this song in a children’s musical at the church I performed in over a decade ago. The song has been remixed by so many musical groups for a reason! It’s a gorgeous song exploring the questions and doubts Mary and Joseph might have had as they wondered why God would use people like them. The Bible is clear that Mary and Joseph were people of modest means, so this song can help us all examine what it looks like for God to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Lyrics:
To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth
Labor of Love
Artist: Point of Grace
Description: My first interaction with this song was through a choral performance at a Christmas play my college produced. I loved how the song dove into Mary’s labor and how UNFANCY that night was. There was blood and dirt and sweat. It was not luxurious or probably even comfortable. But there is something profound about a mother’s sacrifice in labor – it truly is a labor of love, as this song says so beautifully.
Lyrics:
It was not a silent night
There was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David’s town
Face of God
Artist: Shane & Shane
Description: It always captivates me to think about Mary delivering her son and holding him and realizing she’s looking into the eyes of the Messiah. What must that have been like? She may not have understood the full extent of all Jesus’ birth would mean, but she and Joseph both knew it was deeply significant. God had kept His promise, and this child was going to save them. The weight and joy of that realization must have been so meaningful as they held his tiny body.
Lyrics:
She looks upon the Great I Am
The gift of Heaven in her hands
Born to save the Sons of Earth
He was born to give them second birth
The Angel’s Song
Artist: James Beauregard, Keri Taylor
Description: I discovered this song when my worship pastor arranged a three-part harmony special for our worship team to sing for the Christmas Eve service several years ago. It was one of the most beautiful Christmas songs I had ever heard, and the harmonies were both moving and haunting. Just listen to this song, and you’ll understand.
Lyrics:
Here is a sign for you
A Savior has been born
Behold I bring for all good news
That He is Christ the Lord
And all at once the Angel’s song
In now their voices raise
We now join the heavenly throne
And fill the night with praise
Peace on the Earth
Goodwill to all the world
Gloria gloria in the highest gloria
Mothers and Shepherds
Artist: Sheléa
Description: This is a gospel classic and also so full of passion and emotion as it’s sung. It’s a song that just makes you want to sing praises for what God gave us through Jesus’ birth. It truly did change the rest of human history. It is only right to praise the Lord with the fullness of our voices at this wonderful gift.
Lyrics:
Rumor has it that a child is born
And it’s said that we will call him Lord
Heaven’s angels came to let us know
That our freedom rests upon his throne
So we’ve traveled from across this land
Seeking out the new and precious lamb
The one who came and made time stand still
When heaven opened up at God’s own will
The Son Forsook the Father’s Home
Artist: Cardiphonia
Description: This is an age-old hymn that is written with so much precision and theology woven among the melody. It basically tells the whole gospel story. This arrangement is modern and laid back, with acoustic guitar and strings backing the singers. Just take a moment to close your eyes and really listen to the lyrics, so you don’t miss the beautiful theology in this hymn.
Lyrics:
The Son forsook the Father’s home
For mercy to lost man,
And did not scorn the virgin’s womb
To bear the sinner’s ban.
Meekly the maiden pure believed
The great archangel’s word,
And by the Holy Ghost conceived
The Savior Christ the Lord.
The Word made flesh creation sees,
Its mighty God in man:
Great mystery of mysteries
Since ever time began!
That we might gain a second birth
The Holy Son was giv’n:
’Twas God Himself came down to earth
To win us back to Heav’n.
Drive Out the Darkness
Artist: The Porter’s Gate
Description: This is a low-key song with some pretty harmonies to it. It was written for an album of lament songs, so this is perfect for the person who is grieving a loss this Christmas. Though it’s meant to be a season of hope and joy, there are some years when people feel the weight of loved ones who are no longer present or the sadness after a year filled with trials and disappointments. If you’re not feeling the Christmas spirit this year, you can use this song to lament and ask God to come ever nearer.
Lyrics:
Come, O Come
Be our light
Drive out the darkness
Come, Jesus, Come
Every weapon made for war
Every gun and every sword
Will be melted in the flamе
To be used for gardening
Refugee King
Artist: Liz Vice, Hannah Glavor
Description: After Jesus was born and the wise men visited Him, we often don’t spend much time telling the story of how Jesus’ family had to flee in the night to get away from Herod’s wrath. Every baby boy near Jesus’ age was killed, and his life was only spared because an angel warned them to run. This song beautifully paints the picture for listeners by flipping common Christmas carol lyrics on their heads.
Lyrics:
Away from the manger they ran for their lives
The crying boy Jesus, a son they must hide
A dream came to Joseph, they fled in the night
And they ran and they ran and they ran
No stars in the sky but the Spirit of God
Led down into Egypt from Herod to hide
No place for his parents no country or tribe
And they ran and they ran and they ran
Stay near me LORD Jesus when danger is nigh
And keep us from Herods and all of their lies
I love the LORD Jesus, the Refugee King
And we sing and we sing and we sing
Jesus You Come
Artist: Tenielle Neda, Jon Guerra
Description: We all need Jesus to come and enter into our pain and our darkness. This song is a mix between a Christmas song and a worship chorus. If you need to sing about the nearness of Jesus this season, you can join in this melody with Jon and Tenielle to praise and plead for His grace.
Lyrics:
God most high, holy One
The humble King is here with us
Son of Man, Messiah
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Our God is here with us
Jesus You come
Emmanuel
God incarnate
Divine miracle
Christmas Communion Song
Artist: Paul Zach
Description: Communion is such a precious sacrament that Christians participate in together to remember and experience the gospel through the body and blood of Christ. This song was written to celebrate the gift of communion in light of the Incarnation story. Christmas is when the Word became flesh and took on a body and blood. This is a meditative song that can help you set your mind on the person of Jesus this Christmas as you worship.
Lyrics:
Even the songs that we’re praising you with,
even the off’rings we bring:
All that we make and we Do is your gift,
all that we give to our king.
You are the body and you are the blood;
you are the heartbeat and breath.
You are Love, itself.
At Last, The King
Artist: The Gray Havens
Description: If you’ve ever looked around at the broken world and thought, “this isn’t how it’s supposed to be,” then this song is for you. We can sing, “AT LAST, the King has arrived.” What a wonderful proclamation to sing out this Christmas!
Lyrics:
To the serpent low
Said the king upon his throne
You’ve deceived and lied
My child has gone into exile
But I will go
I will make a way home
And I will bleed
Like the enemy
In the dark
In the shadows
Light has come
In the quiet
In the dead of night
Glory, glory sang the angels in the highest
At last, the king has arrived
All Glory Be to Christ
Artist: Kings (MHM)
Description: This is a song that I consider more of a New Year’s Eve song than a Christmas song, but since that’s only days away, I included it in this playlist. This is one of my favorite songs in the entire world. It has been for years. I cannot get over how beautiful it is, but also how it functions as a prayer of dedication over your new year ahead. Use it to surrender 2023 to Him and pray that His will be done.
Lyrics:
Should nothing of our efforts stand, No legacy survive,
Unless the Lord does raise the house, In vain its builders strive.
To you who boast tomorrow’s gain, Tell me, what is your life?
A mist, it vanishes at dawn, All glory be to Christ.
All glory be to Christ our King,
All glory be to Christ.
His rule and reign we’ll ever sing,
All glory be to Christ.
Go Tell It On the Mountain
Artist: Maverick City Music
Description: This song also needs no introduction. It’s a classic! So it’s probably not new to you, but you may not know this rendition. Maverick City Music has become popular over the past several years and has done amazing things to unite different styles of worship together into one big multicultural Church worship platform. As you celebrate Christmas, this is a great song to express the joy and maybe even bust a move or two.
Lyrics:
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a Holy light
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Artist: Barenaked Ladies
Description: I know you didn’t expect to see any bare naked ladies on a Christian Christmas playlist, but this is the perfect song to end a playlist like this. It’s fun and upbeat and makes you want to celebrate. Clap your hands, move your feet, and get up off your seat to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Not every Christmas song has to be somber, and this one is proof!
Lyrics:
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this day
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Christmas music is some of the most well-beloved music throughout the centuries, and the Christmas story gives us much to sing about. My hope is that these beautiful melodies and gorgeous lyrics will help your heart ponder the Christmas story in a new way this year. Check out this link for the full playlist. Like it and add it to your favorites so you can save it to listen to next year too. Share it with a friend who might appreciate some new Christmas music too. They would love to get a text saying, “this made me think of you!”
Merry Christmas, friends! Thanks for another year of being loyal readers and interacting with content that’s so meaningful to me. Jesus is the reason I do what I do, so I’m grateful we can celebrate His birth together!
