With her first Christmas album, God With Us, now released, Laura Story has given her fans a new go-to for their Christmas soundtracks. But what are Laura's go-tos during the holiday season? The GRAMMY winning artist answered some questions for NRT.

What's your favorite Christmas story to read every year?

My husband always make us read The Night Before Christmas.  And not just the original, but the Cajun version. It's pretty terrible, but I've learned to love it just because he loves it.

Who's your favorite artist to listen to during Christmas?

Amy Grant. 

What's your absolute favorite food to eat during the holidays?

Publix Peppermint Ice Cream--only available in December!

What's your favorite Christmas movie and why?

Hands down White Christmas--best Christmas movie of all time. It has the music, the classic singers and movie stars and composers, the idealistic ending of days that are "merry and bright." It's the perfect holiday movie!

Have you ever watched A Christmas Story, the one with Ralphie and the Red Ryder BB Gun? What are your thoughts on that?

I think I am probably the only person in America who hasn't watched that thing from start to finish. I'm more of a Clark Griswold Christmas movie fan.
 
What do you remember about Christmas growing up?

I've always loved celebrating Christmas with my family. I was privileged to grow up in a Christian home and every year, before opening presents, we sat around and read Luke's account of the birth of Christ and sang a few carols. I appreciate my parents insisting that this came first, before opening the presents.

What do you enjoy about Christmas every year?

For the past ten years, I've had the honor of spending Christmas Eve with my church family at Perimeter's Christmas Eve Service. Every year, we close the service by singing "Silent Night," each holding candles that are lit row by row as we sing. There's a feeling that comes over us that truly can't be put into words as we see the light start at that initial Christ candle and spread throughout the room. It's a simple reminder that's why Jesus came.

Do you have a favorite Christmas tradition?

We used to have a sweet tradition of leaving after the last Christmas Eve service at Perimeter and driving to one of our parents' houses, singing Christmas carols the whole way.

What's the best gift you could receive this year?

Diapers!

Who's the most intriguing character in the Nativity story to you, and why?

My favorite characters are probably these so-called "wise men." We don't know much about them, but I love that these men--though seen as advanced in the wisdom of this world--knew there was something more to be known, and not on an intellectual level but a heart level. And they traveled a great distance to find this baby, to lay before him what was most precious to them and to worship him. What a great reminder of his worthiness and of the response such an act of love demands from us all.


Find God With Us on iTunes here.