Christmas 2020 -- O Come, O Come Emmanuel -- Enya

This had to be number one on my carol list. This song is on the short list of gospel songs that always have the power to make me cry. Unlike many of the other Christmas carols listed, the song is well suited for instrumental and vocal power/energy, and Enya has that in spades. Most of the sounds on the song are her voice being layered out, and if she needs an instrument, she's playing it. It's powerful in English, and just as powerful in the original Latin.

Christmas 2020 -- Silent Night -- Pentatonix

This is Paula's favorite Christmas song. She loved the simplicity of the song, and wanted a simple version of the song. She loved the story that a church lost its organ, and needed a Christmas song that could be played on a single guitar.

I've looked for songs that matched that simplicity. I like Enya's version, but Enya can't do simple; her songs get big without her even trying. Kelly Clarkson has a decent version, but Paula would never forgive me for picking a version with Reba on it.

Back we go to this year's shortstop of Christmas songs: Pentatonix. The five don't over-produce this song. It's clear that they don't do multiple tracks for anyone, and they give a very basic performance that I love.

Christmas 2020 -- Joy to the World -- Blind Boys of Alabama and Aaron Neville

There are a lot of choices for this wonderful song, but the best in my music collection is from the Blind Boys of Alabama and Aaron Neville. Aaron Neville's voice gives the song an incredible lift, and the original singers of the band sing in perfect harmony. It's a rare acappella song out of the Boys. Again, my favorite version of this song.

(Again, no idea why the channel name is "Blind Boys of Mississippi"....

Christmas 2020 - Mary Did You Know - The Hound + The Fox and Cimorelli

I knew that Mark Lowry wrote this song, but I didn't know that there was a controversy (at least, according to Wikipedia) about the song being degrading towards Mary, the "dumb woman" who in reality did know. Let's deconstruct both of those for just a second.

First, the "Mary, did you know" is basically a version of the Socratic method in rhythmic melody. It functions as the repeat frame in the AB, AC, AD, etc. form of repeating used in lots of different musical forms and genres. (Think "Papa Don't Preach", or "Go Tell It On The Mountain" in both songs.)

Also, did Mary know? She might have been able to answer "yes" or "some" to some of the questions, but not all. Remember, Mary and Jesus' brothers came to one of the houses one day, to take him home and stop the ministry. That's not a woman who could answer yes to all the questions. Not even the 12 disciples could answer yes to all the questions until Jesus rose from the dead and then the Holy Spirit became active in their lives. Now, after Pentacost, she could answer yes, but all the church could by then (that's how the brother of Jesus went from being sarcastic about Him to being head elder of the church of Jerusalem).

While searching for alternatives to my first pick, I found a really beautiful version by a couple performing as The Hound + The Fox that bumped the alternatives. So technically, this is also a Breaking Find.

Bonus version: the Cimorelli sisters (performing as Cimorelli) also have a pretty decent acapella version of the song:

Christmas 2020 - Carol of the Bells - Moya Brennan

Carol of the Bells is one of the my most favorite Christmas carols. Many people have made beautiful covers. I happen to love Moya Brennan's version. She used to spell her name Maire Brennan, and she is the lead singer of Clannad. (She's also Enya's older sister.) In addition to her Christian and secular albums, I've collected her An Irish Christmas album, and it includes this incredible rendition of Carol of the Bells.

Christmas 2020 - Good King Wenceslas - Loreena McKennitt

The song is propoganda; Wenceslas I wasn't a king, and the song has nothing to do with reality. He was a good man and a Christian martyr though, and the song is top-shelf. Michaelmas was the day after Christmas (day 2 of the 12 days), so it qualifies as a Christmas song. The last verse of the song also confers some gravitas to the song.

I am fond of Loreena McKennitt's version of the song because it seems more traditional and "older" than a lot of modern versions.

Christmas 2020 - Go Tell It On The Mountain -- Blind Boys of Alabama (Featuring Tom Waits)

The Blind Boys of Alabama were one of Paula's favorite groups. We never did get to hear them live, but any time we found a new show, song, or album, it joined the list of what we listened to. Here, we get to hear the gentlemen sing the wonderful African American spiritual carol Go Tell It On The Mountain.

(I don't know why YouTube has the author as "The Blind Boys of Mississippi". I think it's because the record company created a user to "take over" user videos, and they couldn't be bothered to get it right.)

Christmas 2020 - Christmas Angels - Clannad

This isn't the only newer song on my list, but it is the only one that's from one artist only. Clannad came together and released this song on one of their best-of collections, In A Lifetime. There are some better new songs (Mary, Did You Know is an obvious one), but none of them have Clannad singing them. Moya and crew are at top form, and incredibly beautiful on this song.

Breaking Find - Christmas in Dixie -- Home Free and Alabama

This is the ultimate breaking find, because Home Free just released it today. Alabama sings their hit song Christmas in Dixie, with Home Free on backup vocals and "instruments".

The most bittersweet part of this for me was Jeff Cook. I was unaware that Mr. Cook was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2013, and has been public about it (and semi-retired) since 2017. As is clear from the video, he is impared by his illness. However, Randy and Teddy have been clear that Jeff Cook is in Alabama, and will be on stage with the band whenever he wants. Mr. Cook clearly wanted to be on stage for this song. I am impressed by the physical and mental strength shown just to be on that stage and able to sing as much as he can in year 7 of Parkinson's.