Songs of good cheer

I absolutely ADORE Christmas music. Once Thanksgiving hit, I started listening to it on constant rotation in my office.

And in all truth, I started listening to it while I was in Germany. They don't have Thanksgiving over there and all the markets made me feel festive.

I have a few favorites that are oldies and some new favorites that I just purchased this year. As a public service, I thought I'd let you know what's spinning in my playlist right now.

Tried and True

Harry Connick Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas
I love this album so much. It's almost 17 years old now but every year it comes out. I used to dream about marrying Harry and while I've moved past that, this album remains my favorite Christmas album to this day.

Amy Grant - A Christmas Album
Classic. It's not Christmas without "Tennesse Christmas" and "Heirlooms."

Leigh Nash - Wishing for This
You may remember the band Sixpence None the Richer from the late 90s and this gal was their front woman. She has a really pure voice similar to Allison Krauss. I love the whole album but two songs are my favorite - "Eternal Gifts" and "Hard Candy Christmas."

(And yes I know "Hard Candy Christmas" is a sad Christmas song but I love it. Classic.)

Andrew Peterson - Behold the Lamb of God: The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ
Hands down my favorite Christmas tradition of the year is to put this on and be reminded of the Story at the center of my celebrations. He has written an album that traces God's promises and Christ's birth from the Old Testament to the night of His birth. Make it your tradition too!

Jill Phillips & Andy Gullahorn - Christmas
A husband and wife pair that cover some great standards along with two new songs that are so Advent-worthy - "Nations That Long in Darkness Walked" and "You Came Down."

New for 2011

Sarah Hart - This Winter's Eve
A new find for this year, this singer-songwriter has put together an album that is so infused with Advent that you can't help but love it. Very mellow and gorgeous.

Keith & Kristyn Getty - Joy - An Irish Christmas
I love the Getty's music and was so excited to find out they had a Christmas album coming out this year. It's very much Irish influenced but who doesn't love a good jig? The standards are there along with some new anthems they wrote. And my favorite track of all is "Magnificat." It left me speechless.