How many holidays do you know that have songs about them that are played in public places?

There are many songs about love that can be played for St. Valentine’s day and number of patriotic songs that can be played for Independence Day, but most holidays don’t have songs that are played on the radio or in television shows and commericals. Christmas is different. As Thanksgiving is the traditional “start” of the season, songs about Christmas begin to play in the days leading up to that holiday.

No matter what genre of music you like, there are holiday songs made for you. From the silly “Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer” to the traditional “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” many artists have their own renditions of what the songs should sound like. There are plenty of songs that are secular in nature or that don’t even mention the holiday at all, but are still considered holdiay songs, like “Let it Snow” and “Marshmallow World” (one of my favorites). In this era of political correctness, many events are changing their names to replace ‘Christmas’ with ‘Holiday’ and there are enough songs out there to do that.

“Silent Night,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” are all Christ-centered songs. When I hear them in public locations, like the LA airport or a travel agency office, it is a delightful surprise. I notice when songs like these are played, even as background music in commericals and television programs. I rejoice hearing them, as those songs contain the true message of what Christmas is all about.

No matter how many times I hear them during the month of December, when it comes to Christmas Mass, I am overcome with emotion at the meaning of the words. It’s the realization of the moment that we have been waiting for has finally arrived. Every word of each song bursts forth in celebration. It’s both humbling and exhalting to sing of God’s glory and love, as we join our earthly voices to the heavenly chorus of saints and angels.