Christmas Music You'll Actually Enjoy

The first Sunday of Advent is tomorrow, so it's officially the Christmas season. If you're anything like me, you have a love-hate relationship with the music of the season. On the one hand, there's a certain amount of enjoyment that comes from the traditional songs of the season, both "sacred" and "secular." It's hard to deny that Jingle Bells is a catchy tune that is especially fun to sing with energetic kids. Some of the Christmas hymns reflect the emotions of God's people so beautifully: longing, expectation, surprise, joy, elation and peace. Some of these songs are truly brilliant.

However, the expression "familiarity breeds contempt" doesn't even come close to describing the sickening feeling many of us have upon hearing the same tunes over and over and over again during this Christmas season. There are too few songs that are played too often and everywhere. For example, I studied Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker in my college orchestration class. It is, simply put, one of the most genius examples of composition and orchestration in all of western music history. However, whenever most of us hear some snippet of The Nutcracker, our reaction leans more towards acts of violence rather than peace on earth.

With that in mind, I am always thankful whenever a band or an artist has a fresh take on some of these classic songs. My wife and I both enjoy Bing Crosby or Dean Martin this time of year, but there's just something to be said for artists that can truly do some thing new with these fantastic songs. I also like some of the original tunes that come with an artist doing a Christmas CD. I would like submit the following list for your Advent enjoyment:

Sixpence None the Richer - The Dawn of Grace

Sixpence has been a personal favorite of mine since I was in high school. I am so bummed that they only got popular from what I consider to be their worst song ever, Kiss Me. Most of the songs are in the sacred vein, but there are a good handful of fun, even romantic Christmas-timey songs.

Dustin Kensrue - This Night Is Still Good Everywhere

Dustin is more well known as being the lead vocalist of the band Thrice, but his solo stuff has become some of my favorite for the last couple of years. Like Sixpence, there are some sacred and some secular songs on this record. One song in particular, This Is War, is without a doubt one of the most unique and powerful visions of Christmas I've ever heard. (You can watch the video here: http://youtu.be/k0RbWg0UCKE)

Sojourn - Advent Songs

Two words: wow and wow. This album has so much depth. Sojourn is a church in Louisville, Kentucky, and they have been putting out some of the most creative church music I've ever heard. Their Advent Songs record is no different. There are a few standards, a few standards with new melodies, and lots of originals. I'm singing at least one or two of these tunes at our church this advent season.

Future of Forestry - Advent Christmas EP's 1 and 2

I've been a little bit slow to catch on to this band, but holy cow they're good. Musically, they're very talented and diverse, and they put a ton of heart and passion into everything they do. These EP's have all sacred songs but done in such a fresh way that you'll feel like you're hearing them for the first time. For any guitar nerds or tone junkies out there, these EP's are definitely for you.