My EPIC Christmas Music Playlist

For the most part, I find the Christmas season completely overwhelming.  The one thing that gets me through it is music — but not usually on the “all-Christmas” radio stations.   I prefer a bunch of scratched up CD’s from (gasp) almost twenty years ago.

My hands-down, number one, no contest, all-time favorite Christmas album ever is Handel’s Messiah – A Soulful Celebration, with the Boys Choir of Harlem, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Tramaine Hawkins, Gladys Knight, Patti Austin, and Sounds of Blackness, just to name a few.

I’ve been listening to this since it came out in ’92.  It’s probably not for Messiah purists, but I can’t help but think that Handel would somehow approve.  This is “soul” music at its best – R&B, modern, hip-hop, rap, urban, black gospel.  And when combined with the power of “The Messiah”, it’s pure heaven.

It goes without saying that the Hallelujah Chorus is on the list of best songs, but the unexpected favorite is “But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming” featuring Patti Austin.

But who may abide the day of His coming?

And who shall stand when He appeareth?

For He is like a refiner’s fire.

With the backup singers singing “He’s like a fire, running thru ya’”.  You gotta love this one.  This definitely ain’t the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

And then it’s immediately followed by Tramaine Hawkins singing “And He Shall Purify”. This is heaven — here and now.  This album literally grabs you and doesn’t let go.  Or at least that’s the way it impacts me.

As my knowledge of Scripture increases, and my understanding of the Gospel broadens, the story of the Messiah becomes more and more beautiful.   Christmas is not just about a Baby born in a manger.  This is all about Creation and Covenant and Israel and the Messiah and the Kingdom of God.   To quote Scot McKnight, the Gospel itself is the “Story of Israel as resolved in the Story of Jesus”.   And Christmas is where these stories collide.

So you can see why it’s nearly impossible for me to keep my hands on the steering wheel when listening to this Christmas album.   If you see a middle-aged white guy in an old Honda, waving his hands in the air, with tears streaming down his face, and starting to cross the yellow line into oncoming traffic, please honk, although I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to hear you.

Just stay out of the way…