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Favorite Christmas Songs for 2016

Immanuel God With Us album coverHere’s my 2016 update to the Christmas music post. Christmas music is meant to be sung with other people, so you’ll notice that many of these albums are live recordings.

McLean Worship: Immanuel God with Us
The freshman release from my church’s worship leaders. A combination of new songs and old favorites. I was part of 15 concerts that featured some of the songs from this release during this year’s Christmas Village. I particularly like the original Son of Light.

Chris Tomlin’s Adore: Christmas Songs Of Worship (Live)
The title track He Shall Reign Forevermore is the best one on the album and I think it’s going to be a classic. It’s a reworking of the old carol In the Bleak Midwinter with a little bit of Handel’s Messiah in it. The whole album is great and is a great follow up to his earlier Christmas album.

Hillsong’s We Have a Savior
Another great album that I was a few years late to the party on. Some great new songs and good renditions of old favorites. I like the opening rendition of O Come Let Us Adore Him and the title track of We Have A Savior. Another good new one is Our King Has Come.

Honorable mentions:

Paul Baloche’s Christmas Worship and Christmas Worship [Vol 2]
Good albums that take Christmas carols and blend them with better known worship songs. Check out Angels From the Realms of Glory / Emmanuel.

Chris Tomlin’s Glory In The Highest: Christmas Songs Of Worship
A couple of years old, but still frequently in my playlists. Particular favorites include Joy to the World and O Come All Ye Faithful.

Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration
Handel’s Messiah as it would have been written and performed by an early 90s gospel choir. The whole album is interesting, but especially great is the Hallelujah Chorus.

Point of Grace’s A Christmas Story
Released over 15 years ago, this album is a Christmas classic to me. Great arrangements. Check out O Holy Night and When Love Came Down.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!