Add These Meaningful and Moving Religious Christmas Songs to Your Holiday Playlist
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When it comes to Christmas music, there are too many joyful songs to count. In fact, there's a holiday tune for every occasion and mood, from classic Christmas songs playing nonstop on the radio and in stores to country Christmas songs with so much heart they bring tears to your eyes. When you’re feeling jolly, "Jingle Bells” and “Sleigh Ride” it is! When that familiar feeling of nostalgia comes on, "I’ll Be Home for Christmas” hits just right. And for when you're reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas, religious Christmas songs and traditional Christmas hymns capture the peace, love, hope, and joy of the season like no other genre.
Mainstream, popular religious Christmas songs—from classics like "Angels We Have Heard on High" to "O Little Town of Bethlehem"—recount the Christmas stories from the Bible. When performed by the likes of Nat King Cole and Josh Groban, we can't help but be moved by the words and music. Contemporary mixes by groups like Pentatonix (check out "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and “Silent Night” on our list) put a modern twist on Christmas carols that all ages will hum along to. And Carrie Underwood's epic rendition of "The First Noel"—one of the most sung religious Christmas songs for church—is sure to bring on the goosebumps.
So put on that holiday playlist while you’re baking favorite Christmas cookies or decorating your Christmas tree, and be sure to include some of these most meaningful and beautiful Christmas choir songs ever.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" by Jamie Cullum
This unique arrangement of "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Jamie Cullum is one to listen to over and over again and is proof that this poetic and poignant hymn should indeed be more mainstream. The lyrics set the scene for the birth of Jesus Christ: "Our God, heaven cannot hold Him/Nor earth sustain/Heaven and earth shall flee away/When He comes to reign/In the bleak mid-winter/A stable-place sufficed/The Lord God Almighty—Jesus Christ."
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"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" by Carrie Underwood
Although not technically a Christmas hymn, this song might as well be, as it celebrates the glory and love and light of the holiday season and is popular during Christmastime.
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"We Three Kings" by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton gives us a timeless version of the classic American Christmas hymn written by John H. Hopkins Jr. circa 1857. Dolly's clear and crisp voice sweetly tells the story of the three wise men who traveled to visit the newborn baby Jesus as they long for the star to "guide us to Thy perfect light."
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"Angels We Have Heard on High" by Josh Groban
This Christmas song dates back to the mid-1800s and is based on the melody of the hymn "Gloria." Josh Groban's cover is appropriately angelic.
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"Away in a Manger" by Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan covered this famous Christmas song on her second Christmas album Wonderland, which she released in 2016.
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"O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Nat King Cole
This Christmas song about Jesus Christ's birthplace was written over 150 years ago by Phillips Brooks, an Episcopal priest who visited Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. But Nat King Cole's iconic voice will make it a forever favorite.
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"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Vince Guaraldi Trio
You can't help but sing along with the perfectly imperfect voices on this nostalgic track from A Charlie Brown Christmas.
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"I Wonder as I Wander" by Harry Connick Jr.
This Christian folk hymn has been covered several times, but Harry Connick Jr.'s version is unbeatable.
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"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" by Norah Jones
Norah Jones gives this Christmas carol—that dates back to an 1849 poem by Edmund Sears—a refreshing jazzy twist.
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"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Pentatonix
The eccentric stylings of Pentatonix are a holiday staple these days. Here, the group adds a modern twist to this traditional tune, which is also known as "Tidings of Comfort and Joy."
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"The First Noel" by Carrie Underwood
There are so many versions of this Christian Christmas song, but Carrie Underwood's beautiful country rendition is one of our favorites.
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"Ave Maria" by Michael Bublé
The unofficial King of Christmas, aka Michael Bublé, lent his well-known vocals to this religious tune that's worth listening to any time of the year.
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"O Come, O Come Emmanuel" by Lauren Daigle
You'll be more than impressed by artist Lauren Daigle's version of this religious Christmas classic.
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"Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley's famous rendition of Hallelujah will never get old. We suggest adding this one to your year-round playlist.
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"Mary's Boy Child" by Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte's song has sold millions of copies since it was released in 1956 on his album, An Evening with Belafonte.
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"The Little Drummer Boy (Peace On Earth)" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Musical legends Bing Crosby and David Bowie put together this surprising holiday mash-up that will definitely become a regular on your holiday playlists.
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"Silent Night" by Pentatonix
All of a cappella group Pentatonix's reimagined takes on Christmas songs are amazing, but this one might be one of their best.
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"Joy to the World" by Jeremy Riddle
This live performance of "Joy to the World" by Jeremy Riddle, a songwriter and pastor, brings an upbeat and inspiring sound to this holiday classic.
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"Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Whitney Houston
This famous Christmas hit, written by Noël Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker in 1962, sounds even better when it's sung by Whitney Houston.
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"What Child Is This" by Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley adds a country twist (with his guitar and voice) to this religious Christmas song that was written in 1865.
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"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Celtic Woman
This all-female Irish music group will stun you with their rendition of this tune that welcomes Jesus to the world.
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"O Come All Ye Faithful" by Céline Dion
This popular hymn has been performed by church choirs around the world, but we're especially loving Céline Dion's updated take on it.
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"He Shall Reign Forevermore" by Chris Tomlin
This track from Chris Tomlin's second Christmas album is filled with contemporary worship songs like this one.
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"O Holy Night" by Mariah Carey
If you're a fan of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" from Mariah Carey's 1994 holiday album, you'll be hooked on her powerful version of this meaningful song.
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"Mary, Did You Know?" by Pentatonix
This popular Christmas song is written from the unique perspective of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
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"Go Tell It on the Mountain" by Sara Evans
This hymn has a rich history as a rallying cry in the civil rights movement and has since become a Christmas classic.
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