Top Ten Christian Christmas Songs

I have to admit it. For years now I have loathed Christmas music. It seems that beginning around the last week of November until December 26th, the only music I hear is Christmas music. This over saturation of frosty snowmen and jingling bells caused my head to near split with frustration and a truly impressive fore-head vein to develop whenever someone turned on a radio. But Christmas music is an important part of the whole holiday season. 

The music and sounds of Christmas come from all styles and genres, providing something for every musical taste. Some carols are totally secular, focusing on the fun of the holiday. Others are much more religious, bringing the reason for the season front and center. The abundance of the former is what I determined was giving me the headache, the latter I found uplifting and downright soothing. 

After doing some research I have found the top 10 most popular Christmas songs that reflect the reason we celebrate this time of year. The birth our our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Over the next 10 days I will post one of the songs along with a brief history of it. I hope you enjoy, God bless all of my readers this Christmas season. You mean a lot to me!

#10 What Child Is This? 

"What Child Is This?" was written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix while he was on bedrest, recovering from a serious illness. The hymn was put to traditional English melody, "Greensleeves."

The carol has been covered by artists from just about every style of music. From Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban and Jessica Simpson to Johnny Mathis, Joan Baez and Burl Ives -- secular artists have done the song justice for years. 

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him; 
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.