Gen X-Mas

For me, the standout tracks remain three wonderful covers by two fellow Canadian singer-songwriters and one former Beatle. Two sacred numbers – “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Silent Night” –  are also stellar.  The one SM original here is okay if holiday heartbreak is your cup of tea (Gord and Joni would approve). A couple of the secular Christmas numbers include what sounds like jazz trumpet which seems out of place and feels very un-Sarah. I prefer her singing about God and Jesus. Merry Christmas! Grade: B+

“Because we could not go to God, God came to us and dwelt among us. As Fr. Canice Egan, SJ, put it, ‘In the silence of the night Love Itself stole down unseen to embrace the hearts of all.’ That the Creator of the universe would deign to take on the nature of his creature and become one of us is so astonishing!” 

—Excerpted from Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2025 by the Irish Jesuits

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Playlist: Christmas Faves III

A continuing celebration of my favorite Christmas songs. Updated. Enjoy!

 

Tammy Wynette

01. Burl Ives – “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” (1965)

02. Martina McBride – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1998)

03. Elvis Presley & Martina McBride – “Blue Christmas” (2008)

04. Burl Ives – “Happy Birthday, Jesus (A Child’s Prayer)” (1968)

05. Darlene Love – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1963)

06. Willie Nelson – “White Christmas” (1979)

07. Jimmy Eat World – “Last Christmas” (2001)

08. Cary Grant – “Christmas Lullaby” (1967)

09. Tammy Wynette – “Away in a Manger” (1970)

10. Percy Faith & His Orchestra & Chorus – “We Need a Little Christmas” (1966)

11. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “Jingle Bells” (1959)

12. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “White Christmas” (1959)

13. Tammy Wynette – “One Happy Christmas” (1970)

14. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “Here We Come A-Caroling” (1965)

15. Ella Fitzgerald – “Silent Night” (1967)

16. New Found Glory – “Nothing for Christmas” (2012)

17. Bobby Helms – “Jingle Bell Rock” (1957)

18. Henry Mancini – “Carol for Another Christmas” (1966)

19. Nat King Cole – “Deck the Hall” (1960)

20. Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra – “Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town” (1959)

21. Alan Jackson – “Silent Night” (2002)

22. Ella Fitzgerald – “O Holy Night” (1967)

23. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “What Child Is This?” (1965) 

24. Dan + Shay – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (2013)

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