It’s “Christmas all over again.” Un-coincidentally the name of the title track off the Christmas album that the Goo Goo Dolls put out this year. But it’s been one of the strangest of years, filled with so much upheaval, tension, isolation, you name it. It was a year that warranted starting the Christmas music early. Because Lord knows, I needed it.
So, after many many hours of listening, I present to you my authoritative Christmas song picks for this year.
(YouTube links have graciously been provided for you heathens who don’t have Spotify 😊).
1. “Baby Son” – John Mark McMillan
John Mark McMillan – “Baby Son” – YouTube
We thought You’d come with a crown of gold
A string of pearls and a cashmere robe
We thought You’d clinch an iron fist
And rain like fire on politics
But without a sword, no armored guard
But common born in mother’s arms
The government now rests upon
The shoulders of this Baby Son
In a year marked by chaos and divisiveness in the realm of American politics, this song really makes me marvel at the meekness of Jesus. I love how this song pulls from Isaiah 9, that wonderful list of all the things that Jesus would be: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and that the government would be on His shoulders. It’s been a year that I’ve longed to see Jesus’s reign and rule now, but in this season I’m reminded that Jesus didn’t come to rule by force, but by coming in the weakness of a baby, and then laying down his life to bring us hope for an unshakeable kingdom to come.
2. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
– For King & Country feat. NEEDTOBREATHE
for KING & COUNTRY- O Come, O Come Emmanuel – YouTube
In one word, EPIC. This rendition takes an already-fantastic song about anticipating the arrival of the savior, and you add in Bear Rineheart’s piercing vocals. Just wow. With the layered vocals and the percussion, it all builds into something that’s hauntingly beautiful. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.
3. “Refugee King” – Liz Vice
Liz Vice – Refugee King – YouTube
Absolutely beautiful song. It parallels the more popular “Away in a Manger” lyrics, but recounts the flight of Mary and Joseph to Egypt. May we remember the escape from Bethlehem that followed soon after the Christmas journey to Bethlehem. May we remember our Jesus who stands with the outcast, the harassed, and the hurting because He has walked in their shoes.
4. “Better Days” – The Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls – Better Days – YouTube
This is it. 2020 was the year I discovered The Goo Goo Dolls, and what a wonderful surprise to get a Christmas album from them this year! I didn’t think of “Better Days” as a Christmas song until they released this track, but it fits unimaginably well. Particularly for this year. It’s been a year that just keeps coming at us, when all we want is better days. If you know me, I have a special distaste for kids singing, (children’s choirs most specifically), but there’s something magical about this track that captures hopeful innocence.
So take these words
And sing out loud
‘Cause everyone is forgiven now
‘Cause tonight’s the night the world begins again
This song so wonderfully reminds me of the grand beauty of Christmas, that it was the night that “one poor child came to save this world,” to offer forgiveness to everyone. A night that the world was forever changed, a new beginning from our broken path as a human race.
5. “Far Away” – The National Parks
The National Parks || Far Away – YouTube
So I discovered this track in July, just casually listening to The National Parks as part of my indie repertoire, and after a few listens, I thought “wow, this sounds an awful lot like a Christmas song!”. And behold, it was.
I just love how it recounts the elements of the Christmas story, all of these things that feel so very “far away”. But with tender simplicity (and beautiful touches of strings!), this song makes all those things feel “a little closer today” in this Christmas season.
6. “Christmas Tree Farm” – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift – Christmas Tree Farm – YouTube
2020 has been THE YEAR of Taylor Swift. Gracing our pandemic-shaken world with not one, but two surprise albums that are both absolutely amazing…
Anyways, this song is so delightfully jingly, a nice escape from the really heavy stuff of this year.
7. “The Christmas Party”
– The Goo Goo Dolls feat. The Union Square 5
Goo Goo Dolls – The Christmas Party – YouTube
Have I, by any chance, mentioned The Goo Goo Dolls’ Christmas album?
Anyways, I’ll finish off with this fun little track. It’s the perfect jazzy medley for a Christmas party… (if we could have one this year…. But anyhow,) It evokes warm cozy Charlie Brown Christmas vibes and I love that.
So with that, Merry Christmas all! Happy listening!
a cup of kimitea 