Merry Christmas!!

No LolCat this time, sorry readers. It's Christmas Eve and I'm finally in the Christmas mood. You know what that means... Christmas music! I do love Christmas music, and I'd like to share a few of my favorites. Via YouTube, of course, because what would the blogosphere be without YouTube? Hopefully the links work...

But anyway, yes, I do love Christmas music, the beauty and the hope that they share. And I'm not especially picky about the styles... I'll take your classic belting it out a la Charlotte Church (or a Church choir, heh) and I'll also take some more rocking or unusual stuff - I adore the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, as an example. I also prefer the religious songs, except of course for the goofy ones. I mean, I hear enough about Santa and Rudolph as it is, but here so close to Christmas I'd rather focus on the miracle of God Incarnate, of Immanuel.

Boyz 2 Men O Come O Come Immanuel
- It's funny, I'd never really even heard this song until last Christmas season when it was sung at the Elizabethtown Christmas Service. I'd heard of it, but not actually heard it. This is my favorite version on YouTube because of the haunting nature of it; a powerful voice laying it out would also be great.

Celtic Woman Little Drummer Boy
- A classic of course, and though it may be odd at first glance for women to be singing this song. these women are so incredible; and besides. does it really matter what gender sings it? Just be glad I didn't find Joan Jett's version online - I like that too.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra O Holy Night
- TSO is usually a lot more rocking than this, of course, but this version of O Holy Night was absolutely incredible I thought - the power behind it. I'm used to women singing this one, but that's probly due to church. If done right, this song gives me absolute chills, and I think should always be included in any Christmas event (religious, of course). And I don't know why this text is underlined and can't fix it.

Charlotte Church What Child Is This?
- I maintain that Charlotte Church had (has) one of the very best voices for Christmas songs. Feel free to disagree. This particular song may well be one of my very favorites of all. Go Greensleeves!

Jewel O Little Town of Bethlehem
- Another beautiful singer, and a great song when pondering the circumstances into which Christ was born.

Third Day Do You Hear What I Hear?
- One of my brother's favorite Christmas songs, and I like it too. No scoffing at the "Christian rock" please... I like it and think it works really well for this song. And for those who were looking for the modern Christian rock, these guys are pretty big in that world... like, probably Top 5.

Enya Silent Night (Irish)
- Everybody's heard the English, and many no doubt have heard the German. So why not go for the Irish Gaelic version for a change? Now, I don't know if the lyrics flashed on the video are true or not, but the song itself is beautiful, which is what really matters.

Gayla Peevey I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
- Ok, so I said I like serious Christmas songs. Well, this novelty song from 1953 just makes me smile. It's silly, goofy, and ridiculous. Kinda like Coyote at times. Enjoy... or cringe, your call.

Lou Monte Dominic the Donkey
- In a similar vein to the Hippo Song, this classic makes me warm and fuzzy. Goofy, silly, but so Christmasy!

The Royal Guardsmen Snoopy's Christmas
- Goofy and fun, absolutely. I mean, it's about Snoopy and the Red Baron! But it also, deeper down, is a very poignant song about the true meaning of Christmas and how we should treat our "enemies." The Christmas Truce in goofy song format? I'm there!

So, there you go readers, a small selection both religious and goofy. What say you, any favorites that I've left out? I'm sure there are.