9 Songs to Bring Joy to Your Christmas Playlist
Photo by Nataliya Melnychuk on Unsplash
For me, the Christmas season is largely shaped and influenced by music and song. I have found that there are many beautiful Christmas songs that have an aching and an Advent beauty to them, and these are some of my favorites to listen to because they allow me to feel the presence of the darkness and the way that the light breaks into it.
But many of the holiday tracks that I feel myself drawn back to again and again are the ones that embody the unprecedented joy of the season — because the truth is that after the darkness and waiting and longing of Advent comes the arrival of the Light of the World; the joy of all mankind. In the midst of the starless sky comes an angel, bringing “good tidings of great joy” — the birth of a King; the arrival of a Savior.
And that is well-worth celebrating.
Here are nine tracks that I hope will brighten your Christmas season the way that they have brightened mine.
01 | “The Present” by Forrest Frank
I fell in love with Forrest Frank’s music about two years ago, right after his album Child of God was released, and right before he became the international sensation that he is now. His Christmas song “The Present” is one of my favorite songs that he has ever made. It has so much joy that it is contagious, and its rap and hip-hop sounds make it absolutely dance-worthy.
02 | “California Christmas” by Switchfoot
My favorite band is the alternative rock group Switchfoot. In 2022, they released their first Christmas album, cleverly titled This Is Our Christmas Album. This is the very first track on the record, and it really embodies the whole experience of the album itself. The members of Switchfoot are all California natives, and this song captures the joy and uniqueness of a Christmas spent on the beaches of San Diego. It doesn’t get much better than avocados and Santa hats.
03 | “What a Glorious Night” by Sidewalk Prophets
When I hear this song begin, my heart starts to lift inside of my chest. “What a Glorious Night” tells the Biblical Christmas story the way that it ought to be told: with joy. Christmas is the celebration of light coming into the world and chasing back the darkness. This song captures the ecstasy and gladness with its vibrant melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and overall emotion. It makes me want to lift my hands up to the sky in worship.
04 | “Christmas Alone” by Jimmy Fallon
This might seem like a strange one to put on the list, but trust me, once you hear it you will never be able to stop listening to it. “Christmas Alone” was released last year on Jimmy Fallon’s Christmas album, coinciding with the visit of my whole family for the holidays. Being an introvert, I can often get very overwhelmed by all the people and activities that happen during the Christmas season, and can feel distracted from what I really want to be doing or pondering. This song gave me a voice for everything that I was feeling, while also making me cry because I was laughing so hard.
05 | “Like It’s Christmas” by Jonas Brothers
What is better than a Jonas Brothers song? A Jonas Brothers Christmas song. “Like It’s Christmas” contains all of the beloved Jo-Bro charm and joy, and even has some hip-hop twists to it. When this song is on, it lights up the whole room — just like the special person that is being sung about. Nick Jonas’ sweet, melodious vocals, along with Joe Jonas’ altogether manly voice, make this song a classic Jonas Brothers track, and one that you will want to listen to again and again.
06 | “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (Cover) by CAIN
Every time I hear this song, I immediately feel like I should be watching the movie Christmas with the Kranks. CAIN’s cover of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” contains all the iconic magic and emotion as the original version. The members of the band — siblings Taylor, Logan, and Madison — sing absolutely gorgeous harmonies, and when Logan's Backstreet-Boy-infused-voice comes in during the chorus, my heart cannot decide whether laughing or crying would be the most appropriate. This new take on a classic song is infused with joy and also with the longing that often comes during the Christmas season.
07 | “Hometown Christmas” by NEEDTOBREATHE, Switchfoot, and Judah
This song was released during the pandemic, and was like a beacon of joy during a dark time. As a fan of both Switchfoot and NEEDTOBREATHE, I loved this song the very first time I heard it, and it continues to be one of my holiday favorites. All the nostalgia and magic of being present to the moment, and celebrating home and family, and ultimately the birth of a King, comes together in rock and roll melodies, and poignant lyrics, making this song feel like coming home for the holidays.
08 | “Can’t Wait for Christmas” by TobyMac (feat. Relient K)
I did not used to be a TobyMac fan; but when I finally gave him a chance, I discovered that I actually really enjoy his music. And this song possesses his classic sound, as well as all the happiness that you would expect from a Christmas pop song. It is filled with the beautiful, uncomplicated joy of the Christmas season, and all the glory that comes with it. The unexpected combination of TobyMac’s raw vocals and Matt Thiessen’s charismatic voice make this song both charming and joyful.
09 | “The Sussex Carol” by Joel Clarkson
If you have not yet heard Joel Clarkson’s Midwinter Carols albums, then I highly encourage you to go and listen to them. They are beautiful and breathtaking, and this track is one of my very favorites — it is sweet and simple, and yet it acts like a bright flame in the wintry darkness, really embodying the entire meaning of music and song and Christmas itself in the first place: to light up the darkness; to turn the sorrow into joy. To receive the King.
In short…
Whatever songs you find yourself singing along to this Christmas season, I hope that you find joy and light, and ultimately Christ, in every corner of your life.
