Christmas is obviously a spiritual celebration. It is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the very Son of the living God, born through a teenage virgin more than 2,000 years ago in Israel. It is sacred… that moment when the infinite God wraps Himself in limited flesh and becomes Emmanuel, God with us. There is no explanation. It is simply miraculous.
Yet it is so easy in the hustle and bustle of this season that we forget that very spiritual incarnation. We forget that we travel to see family because Joseph and Mary returned to their family homeplace for the census. We forget that we give gifts because God gave us the gift of His Son. We tend to overlook the very reason for the season.
So, I love my 3rd all-time favorite Christmas carol because it always takes me back to that moment… that mystery… that miracle. This song is deeply spiritual, even though my favorite version of it is performed by someone who may or may not be a follower of Jesus Christ. It’s my favorite version because I have never heard another person sing it with such passion… such emotion… and such power. I am moved every time I hear it, and feel like I want to join an angel choir to declare once more how special and important the birth of that baby was and is for all of us. My 3rd all-time favorite Christmas carol is… “O, Holy Night” performed by Celine Dion. If you’ve heard it, you know, and you’ll click the link for sure. If you haven’t, and you doubt my estimation, go ahead and click here to see what I mean.
I know, I could have gone with “Ave Maria” performed by Harry Connick, Jr., or “Mary, Did You Know?” performed by Mark Lowry, but the night is holy because of Christ, and this song turns my heart toward Him in worship each time I listen to it. For that, it ranks pretty high on my list.
I suppose most of these could be rearranged in different positions on my list. I love Christmas music, and I’m not afraid to listen to it throughout the year at times not between Black Friday and New Year’s Eve. And when I listen, you can rest assured that “O, Holy Night” makes the playlist.
Let’s remember and celebrate Him most this Christmas!
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