Every December, as familiar melodies return and new favorites emerge, the NRT staff finds themselves drawn to the songs that shape their Christmas season. Some tracks stir nostalgia, others invite worship, and a few stop us in our tracks with their beauty. So we asked our team a simple—but surprisingly complex—question: "What’s your favorite Christmas song?" From reflective Advent hymns to modern worship anthems, here are the songs that move us, inspire us, and remind us why this season matters most.
Future of Forestry - "Advent Song"
How do I pick just one favorite Christmas song? That's almost impossible. This is the closest I can get for now. (And even then, I could likely name at least ten other competing songs, including the beautiful "Night of Silence," performed by Theocracy. Maybe it's the Advent theme, but this is one of the first songs I want to play as Christmas approaches. Released as a single in 2022, this song grabbed me from the first listen. Future of Forestry has always made amazing Christmas music, but this felt like they stepped up their game again. The song's haunting musical landscape is so detailed. Lyrically, it’s perfect for Advent and seasons of waiting, when God's face and voice are hidden, and we long for the strength to praise Him anyway. Because even when we can't see Him, we know He’s coming. So, we find the courage to wait for Him in our hearts. As we celebrate Christ’s birth, this song encourages us to stay with longing for His coming—both this Christmas season and His future return in glory. - J.J. Francesco
Amy Grant - "Breath of Heaven"
Choosing a favorite Christmas song is more difficult than you might expect. There are so many great options to pick from, like "Little Drummer Boy” by for KING + COUNTRY, “Grown Up Christmas List” by Amy Grant, and even ”Carol of the Bells” by August Burns Red.
While all of these qualify as my favorite Christmas songs, I think my top pick is “Breath of Heaven” by Christian music icon Amy Grant. I love how this song tells the true Christmas story through the eyes of the Virgin Mary. The lyrics offer hope and comfort that Jesus brings not only to Mary but also to the dark, dying world. I feel like the song strips away any commercialism, helps me slow down, and always points me back to the most critical part of the holiday—the birth of our Savior, Jesus. - Tommy G
Chris Tomlin - "He Shall Reign Forevermore"
I tend to have a controversial view of Christmas music: I'm not a big fan. I don't hate it, but it's never been my favorite. Maybe I didn't grow up with it enough, or perhaps I grew up with it too much, making it feel overused and often bland. Over the past few years, I've increasingly enjoyed it, especially original Christmas music from many Christian artists I love. The first Christmas album I truly loved is Chris Tomlin's Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship. That album, while very much a Christmas album, also felt like a collection of genuine, heartfelt worship that resonated with me. On that album is my favorite Christmas song of all time, "He Shall Reign Forevermore." That song is more than a Christmas classic; it's an anthem of worship and breakthrough for the coming of Jesus as a baby. It's a masterpiece and reminds me every year that Christmas songs don't have to be just happy winter tunes or overused classics, but can be songs of hope and love that God brought to us when Jesus was born. He has come, He is worthy, He is our Savior still, and He reigns forever. - Bradden Ford
Lauren Daigle - "Light of the World"
The song's title, "Light of the World," highlights the contrast between living in the darkness of the world and living in the light of the Prince of Heaven, Jesus. 1 John 1:7 and Charlie Peacock's well-known song "In the Light," recorded by dcTalk, show us that we can "walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
That's the message of Christmas and this song from Lauren Daigle. The ultimate gift of Christmas is that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin." That's cause for true community among God's children and genuine fellowship with Him and each other, as described in John's epistle. Jesus wants to give you Himself this Christmas and share His light of life with you, rather than walk in darkness. Now that Jesus has ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, He tells us in His Word that through the Holy Spirit living inside us, we are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, as Matthew 5:14 points out. This song celebrates that incredible gift. Amen to that. - Kevin Davis
Relient K - “I Celebrate the Day”
Depending on the season of life I’m going through, my favorite Christmas song often changes from year to year. One song that has stayed a favorite is rock band Relient K’s “I Celebrate the Day.” I was in middle school when this song was released, and it has spoken to me each Christmas for the past 18 years. Their entire Christmas album, Let it Snow Baby…Let it Reindeer is one of those must-listen-to albums for me every holiday season. I love how the song’s lyrics connect the cradle to the cross. The Savior of the world was born as a precious baby and would bear the sins of the world so that we could live. “I celebrate the day that you were born to die, so I could one day pray for You to save my life.” - Felicia Holt
We The Kingdom – “Light of The World (Sing Hallelujah)”
It’s funny. I love the Christmas season, and I fully support Christmas music. But I’m deeply involved in the best songs of the year from both the Christian and secular worlds. So, I don’t often get a chance to listen to some of the newest Christmas releases. However, from time to time, I hear a new Christmas song that really catches my ear. We The Kingdom did this with "Light of the World” a few years ago. What makes me like it even more is that my father enjoys it, too. So, it’s something I can share with him and appreciate. We can sing “Hallelujah to the light of the world” together. - Paul Phillips
OpenAI's ChatGPT helped with this article. Assembled from all corners of North America and many other places in between, the NRTeam includes staff members whose energy is equally dedicated to loving and writing about the music they cherish.
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