Christmas Music Stinks

PostedTuesday, December 8, 2009 @ 10 PMByShannon LewisTaggedNo tags

My God does indeed know how much I dislike most Christmas music. The best of the best - the truly beautiful songs - too often get twisted into A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS volume Infinity metal-triphop-classical-pop renditions, where Whitney Houston joins forces with Metallica and 50 Cent, which is then spun on the radio every 3rd song from Thanksgiving till New Years, every year until Jesus returns. Then Bob Dylan, whom - until about a month ago I considered a musical genius - releases a Christmas C.D., and I begin to question my theological convictions about God's sovereignty. I mean, seriously! Have you heard that thing? What was Bob THINKING?!?!?

In all seriousness, I often struggle to find good, original, Christmas music that I connect with, so I dig pretty deep to find those special songs. And when I find them, I like to share them with my friends, in hopes that they'll bless you as well. This is my list for this year...

"Christ the Lord is Born Today" by Sovereign Grace Music, from the c.d. SAVIOR: CELEBRATING THE MYSTERY OF GOD BECOME MAN. I first heard this when Bob Kauflin sent me a copy to review in late '07, and though the c.d. was pretty good (it was at least refreshingly unique), "Christ the Lord..." is that special song that, 2 years later, I still can't shake. In my book it's a classic, and it's been a well-received corporate song when I've used it in church. You would do well to download it and add it to your house-hold Christmas mix.

"Glory Be" by Sojourn Community Church, from the c.d. ADVENT SONGS. Somehow, in between the lovely Americana of BEFORE THE THRONE and the absolutely unclassifiable, and ground-breaking (some are calling it the "worship release of the year") OVER THE GRAVE, Sojourn managed to also record and release a collection of Christmas music. Though I must be honest and admit that I am entirely unfamiliar with the rest of the c.d., the song "Glory Be" has simply waylaid me this winter. It is an atmospheric alt-rocker, full of patient anticipation, and joyful consummation of the coming, and having come, messiah.

That's not to say that there aren't other excellent Christmas c.d.'s out there, but those are the two songs that are closest to my heart this year.

What about you? Do you have a song you think I should give a listen?

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5 comments

On 12/9/2009 11:00 PM, Carolyn said...Have you listened to Chris Tomlins GLORY IN THE HIGHEST album. Very nice, some traditional but sung as worship rather than the droning way we have sung them for years. Give it a try. I think it has restored my zest for Christmas music.

On 12/9/2009 11:15 PM, Shannon Lewis said...I have heard a few songs from it long ago - many of these songs he's recorded for various compilations and such in the past, and as Chris Tomlin tunes, they are good. He's a great writer. I like the original songs best, as opposed to the rewritten ones.

On 12/17/2009 1:26 AM, Nick Thacker said...Haha, great point, although I haven't listened much to Tomlin's album yet... from my first listen I was a bit disappointed, but it usually takes a few times through to "stick" so we'll see.

On 12/18/2009 9:25 PM, timandannie said...We know what you mean about awful Christmas music, but since you like original songs, we have one that we'd love for you to listen. It's our original song, and you can find on YouTube by searching for "timandannie." We made a slide show to go along with it, hopefully you'll enjoy that, too. Meanwhile, Merry Christmas! timandannie (www.timandannie.com)

On 12/19/2009 7:59 AM, Shannon Lewis said...Nick, I'm not a huge fan of it, but primarily I'm not into the production on his new one. The songwriting is still pretty solid, for Christmas music.

Tim/Dannie - nice meeting you. I hear we have good friends who are your neighbors! Thanks for the link! I'll check it out soon!

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