The magic of Christmas is new every Yuletide. It is truly the most joyful (enduring and endearing) season and, indeed, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Such is its impact in our lives, our communities, and the world that people around the world often begin preparing for it months in advance.

Christmas trees, lights, decorations, gifts, and music – these all attest to its significance for humanity and to mankind’s desire for the peace and joy that only Jesus can bring.

Christmas isn’t magic, though it is magical. Christmas is a birthday celebrating the miraculous birth of Jesus into the world as a Babe in a manger and also His birth into our lives.

Jesus – Emmanuel (“God with us”), our Savior and Redeemer – was born that, as God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen acknowledges, “man no more may die.”

Christmas music is invariably joyful – Joy to the World – because Jesus was born, sacrificed himself for us, and offers us the incredible gift of inviting us to live with Him forever in Paradise as His brothers and sisters.

Jesus truly is the reason for the season. Two millennia ago, shepherds and angels proclaimed the miracle of our Messiah’s birth. Heaven and nature has been singing ever since. Let us join our voices to that heavenly chorus.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas songs (a few with multiple versions).

(Please feel free to add your own to this list.)