{"id":8664,"date":"2012-12-24T09:56:13","date_gmt":"2012-12-24T15:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theamericanjesus.net\/?p=8664"},"modified":"2012-12-24T09:56:13","modified_gmt":"2012-12-24T15:56:13","slug":"the-top-5-christmas-hymns-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/zackhunt\/2012\/12\/the-top-5-christmas-hymns-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 5 Christmas Hymns Of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"X-mas+eve\"
\n(via<\/a>)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re stuck at work today, I\u2019m sorry.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re stuck visiting family you\u2019d rather not visit, but don\u2019t want to admit it, you also have my condolences.<\/p>\n

By way of a distraction today, I thought I would offer those that needed it something of massive significance to debate about\u2026.<\/p>\n

The list of the greatest Christmas hymns of all time.<\/p>\n

Christmas songs like Jingle Bells<\/em> or White Christmas<\/em> are fine, but you know me, I\u2019m a theology nerd. I need some theology in my Christmas music. Which means my list is heavily weighted to songs with substance.<\/p>\n

Of course, like anybody else, I\u2019m also a sucker for a big musical buildup. So, that plays into my list as well.<\/p>\n

Finally, I kept my list short because, well, it\u2019s just easier to debate a short list.<\/p>\n

Anyway, without further ado, here are the unquestioned 5 greatest Christmas hymns of all time in precise order of greatest [insert sarcasm font<\/em>].
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Top 5 Christmas Hymns of All Time<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u00a0
\n5. Silent Night<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Silent Night may be number five on my list of 5, but there\u2019s no doubt in my mind that this is, without question, one of the most beautiful Christmas songs of all time. Sung by the right person, in the right setting, this one\u2019s a guaranteed tear jerker\u2026in a good way.
\n
\n4.<\/strong> O Come All Ye Faithful<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Full disclosure, I\u2019m pretty biased towards this song. As I mentioned last week<\/a>, I heard people from across the world spontaneously sing this song in their own language at the Vatican during the Midnight Mass last Christmas Eve and it was nothing short of amazing.
\n
\n3.<\/strong> O Holy Night<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The lyrics to this one are great, but let\u2019s be honest. The best part of this gem comes towards the end with that amazing build up to \u201cOh night\u2026divine!\u201d Goosebumps. Every. Single. Time. (At least when it\u2019s sung by someone with a serious set of pipes.)
\n
\n2.<\/strong> Joy To The World<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

For sheer joy, it\u2019s hard to beat Joy to the World<\/em> at Christmas time. Whether it\u2019s being sung by a choir with a full orchestra or updated with a dose of rock \u2018n roll, this song brings the excitement of the Christmas season like few others. \u201cThe Lord is come\u201d and this song doesn\u2019t let you forget it.
\n
\n1.<\/strong> Hark! The Herald Angels Sing<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

For my money, you don\u2019t get better than Hark! Herald Angels Sing<\/em>. Why? Because it manages to pack some serious theology into a song everybody can sing, but, more importantly, everybody also loves (or at least they should). That is no easy task, but it\u2019s one Charles Wesley was incredibly gifted at. So, with lyrics like \u201cveiled in flesh the godhead see, hail the incarnate deity; pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel\u201d and \u201cborn that men no more may die; born to raise the sons of earth; born to give them second birth,\u201d Hark! The Herald Angels Sing<\/em> is the greatest Christmas hymn of all time.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Well, that\u2019s my list.<\/p>\n

While I have no idea how you could possibly disagree with my choices or their order since these sorts of things are clearly objective, I want to hear from you.<\/p>\n

What order would you put these songs in?<\/p>\n

Did I miss a great song that belongs on the list?<\/p>\n

What songs would make your list of the top five?<\/p>\n

Let me know in the comments, and if you want to get really creative, let me know who you prefer hearing singing the songs on my list or yours.<\/p>\n

Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(via) If you\u2019re stuck at work today, I\u2019m sorry. If you\u2019re stuck visiting family you\u2019d rather not visit, but don\u2019t want to admit it, you also have my condolences. By way of a distraction today, I thought I would offer those that needed it something of massive significance to debate about\u2026. The list of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3437,"featured_media":8665,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Top 5 Christmas Hymns Of All Time<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"(via) If you're stuck at work today, I'm sorry. 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