It’s easy to tell when the Christmas season is near: right after Thanksgiving, stores trade the oranges and browns of fall decor for rich greens and reds and whites. When the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, you think of your favorite holiday comfort food and crave the sounds of Christmas music.

When we think of Christmas music, many different options come to mind! There are songs for every Christmas feeling: sometimes we want to go rockin’ around the tree or just grab a blanket to enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate. Maybe you enjoy the nostalgia of older songs or tunes from your favorite Christmas movie.

Whether you’re gathering with others this season or spending some socially distant time at home, music helps us to get into the Christmas spirit. These carefully curated playlists are meant to match your holiday mood, including one to remind us of the greatest story of Christmas: Jesus born in a manger.

Christmas Songs for Hot-Chocolate Weather

As the temperatures fall, it’s starting to feel and look a lot like Christmas. Cold nights are the perfect time to bring out the hot cocoa and your favorite blanket. So, get out the Christmas mugs, put a log on the fire, and cozy up to this playlist:

• “O Tannenbaum,” by Vince Guaraldi Trio
• “It’s Not Christmas ‘Til You Come Home,” by Norah Jones
• “White Christmas,” by Bing Crosby
• “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” by Joy Williams
• “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” by Ella Fitzgerald
• “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” by Michael Bublé
• “The Christmas Song,” by Beegie Adair
• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” by The Sea The Sea
• “Winter Wonderland,” by Ella Fitzgerald

Music for a Nostalgic Christmas Mood

There’s nothing like the Christmas season to put you in the mood for the good ole’ days. Are you looking for some tunes to tide you over in between watches of “It’s a Wonderful Life”? If that’s you, try out these nostalgic “oldies, but goodies” to keep feeling like Christmas:

• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” by Judy Garland
• “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” by King’s College Choir
• “A Marshmallow World,” by Dean Martin
• “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” by Perry Como
• “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” by Bing Crosby
• “Silent Night,” by Bing Crosby
• “The Christmas Song,” by Nat King Cole
• “Let it Snow, Let it Snow,” by Vaughn Monroe
• “Frosty the Snowman,’ by Gene Autry
• “Jingle Bells,” by Perry Como

Christmas Music to Welcome Guests for the Holidays

The Christmas season often brings friends and family to visit and celebrate. While things might look a bit different this year, you can still turn to the same festive Christmas music! Create a party atmosphere in your home with this playlist:

• “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” by Andy Williams
• “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” by Burl Ives
• “What Christmas Means to Me,” by Stevie Wonder
• “Silver Bells,” by She & Him
• “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” by Michael Bublé
• “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” by Mariah Carey
• “Sleigh Ride,” by The Ronettes
• “When It’s Christmas Time In Texas,” by George Strait
• “Good ‘Swing’ Wenceslas,” by Count Basie Orchestra
• “The 12 Days of Christmas,” by Ray Conniff

Songs for Christmas Fun

Who says Christmas can’t be fun? Silly holiday songs bring out the child in all of us, and add laughter to the season. If you want to start smiling, or play something fun for your little ones, start up this playlist for a cheeky twist:

• “Christmas Don’t be Late,” by Chipmunks
• “Here Comes Santa Claus,” by Gene Autry
• “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” by Frank Sinatra & Cindy Lauper
• “Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer,” by Burl Ives
• “Good King Wenceslas,” by Relient K
• “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” by Brenda Lee
• “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch,” by Thurl Ravenscroft
• “Up on the Housetop,” by The Jackson 5
• “Jingle Bell Rock,” by Bobby Helms
• “Grandma Got Run-over by a Reindeer,” by The Irish Rovers

Christmas Music to Tune Your Heart to Jesus

In all the excitement of Christmas, it can be easy to forget the biggest reason to celebrate: our Lord Jesus was born into the world! Try out this playlist to help turn your heart to Jesus and remind you of the true joy of Christmas:

• “Joy To The World (Joyful, Joyful),” by Phil Wickham
• “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” by Enya
• “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” by Rend Collective
• “Oh, Holy Night,” by Celine Dion
• “O Come All Ye Faithful,” by Red Rocks Worship
• “Advent Hymn,” by Christy Nockels
• “What Child is This?” by Kari Jobe
• “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus,” by Kings Kaleidoscope
• “Angels We Have Heard On High,” by The Piano Guys
• “The First Noel,” by Frank Sinatra

Songs for Christmas Playlist Inspiration

If you’ve looked through the previous slides but are still searching for that perfect Christmas mood, it might be time to curate your own list of Christmas tunes! Use this playlist as inspiration for creating your own:

• “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of The Year,” by Andy Williams
• “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” by Tenth Avenue North
• “This Christmas,” by Donny Hathaway
• “Silent Night,” by Future of Forestry
• “Christmas Time Is Here,” by Vince Guaraldi Trio
• “Doxology,” by Kristene Dimarco
• “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” by Burl Ives
• “Here Comes Santa Claus,” by Elvis Presley
• “Angels We Have Heard (Glory Be),” by Jordan Smith
• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” by Relient K

Preparing a Playlist for Christmas

Help us to fill our minds

With songs of joy and hope.

We don’t need to throw out “Non-church” songs,

But help us measure them.

Maybe, perhaps, we trim some off, Ones that divert our hearts from You. Give us the strength

To compose playlists thoughtfully, Adjusting for the perfect balance, Folding in true messages:

What is honorable, just, and pure, The lovely and excellent,

All that is worthy of praise.

Guest Post by Bryn Schulke. Bryn is one of 26 contributors to Words for Winter, a collection of liturgies for the holiday season that are meant to meet readers where they are — from joyous moments to times of lament. Excerpted from Words for Winter. Copyright ©️ 2020. Used by permission of The Austin Stone Institute. For more information, visit www.austinstoneinstit.org/resources.