This Blogmas has been mightily off schedule, with our family running – now having two adorable and incredibly busy puppies has been a significant adjustment during the busy Christmas season – as I am also dealing my winter combination of infections and flares – so have been taking strong antibiotics as well as steroid dosepaks these past few weeks.

All that said, Blogmas has gotten so off track that I am not going to number days any longer but rather just jump back in for the rest of the holiday from here. ❤

Today I was thinking of one of my favorite parts of all things Christmas – Christmas music – and felt it would be lovely to share some favorites here.

In thinking of Christmas music, church hymns – and my sweet Grandmother – first come to mind. My all-time favorite Christmas song is “O Holy Night” – and, in fact, I have a playlist of just different versions of it that I love.

A favorite performance that I have seen is from last year’s CMA Country Christmas, when two of my favorites, Trisha Yearwood and Lindsey Stirling, were just stunning together.

Some music just *is* Christmas to me – and I know I can’t be the only one who feels that way.

Each year I make a Christmas playlist filled with favorites from artists we love, different versions of the same Christmas songs to listen to on shuffle throughout the holidays.

(I will say, before I go any further, that we are absolutely a Mariah-free household. We simply cannot. 😉 )

Among my favorites:

• All of the Carpenter’s Christmas music – but I particularly love hearing Karen sing “Merry Christmas, Darling.” Her voice was a treasure.
• Jewel’s Christmas music is absolutely beautiful, some of the best on our mix this year.
• Of course, Alabama’s “Christmas in Dixie” must be included. . . or. . . the reindeer can’t fly or something else really bad. 😉
• Amy Grant’s Home For Christmas album has been a favorite since I was young enough to have it on cassette – yes, with the dinosaurs 😉 – and I still love it, particularly “Grown-Up Christmas List.”
• We cannot Christmas without Sinatra and Elvis. ❤
• I think Lennon’s “Happy X-mas (War is Over)” is a modern classic now as well.
• I adore Sarah McLachlan’s Wintersong album, particularly her version of Joni Mitchell’s “River.”
• If you haven’t heard it, before he passed away, Scott Weiland recorded a Christmas album – and it is really really good. ❤
• Harry Connick Jr and Leslie Odom Jr are both bringing in the amazing vocals.
• Finally, Faith Hill’s “Where Are You Christmas?,” recorded for The Grinch is a must.

The mix grows every year – and we have so many artists on it – but these are a few that stood out.

I would also mention Teddy Swims, an artist my better half recently sent my way, who has a wonderful voice and a lovely Christmas EP as well.

Wishing you all the most wonderful week leading up to Christmas.

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.