Sacred Music for Easter

I love Sundays. 

And there is something special about a springtime Sabbath that is especially appealing. 

Perhaps the magic lies in the renewal of the seasons: the sunlight bringing added warmth in its rays; the crocuses and daffodils in bloom; fruit trees budding with promise. It echos the promise each of us have of new life through our Savior.

Since I've been on the topic of Easter music lately, I thought I'd share two additional playlists that I listen to year round-- but with greater frequency this time of year. 

The first is a sacred oratorio written by Rob Gardner, The Lamb of God. If you aren't familiar with his work, you need to have the pleasure of discovering it. Truly, it is a masterpiece. It ranks right up there with The Messiah for me. You can learn more about it here. (Special thanks to Montserrat for reminding me of the site!)

(If you are reading this post on an RSS feed reader, please be aware that there is a widget link to my Spotify playlist on my site which will allow you to listen to the entire playlist for free. If for some reason it is not letting you listen from here, you can also search Spotify for "Lamb of God" and/or "Rob Gardner")

My other favorite Sunday playlist this time of year includes favorite sacred works by the Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi. His Gloria and Nulla in mundo pax sincera are two of my all-time favorite pieces of music-- independent of genre. I also put his Dixit Dominus on the playlist.

(RSS readers: playlist widget below, or search Spotify playlist "Sacred Vivaldi," or the individual pieces.)

While Gloria in its original Latin is stirring all on its own, I loved reading the English translation and getting a greater appreciation for the message in the words. I hope it resounds in your heart as well. (If you are interested, you can google the other works for their translations-- they are just as wonderful!)

Gloria
          (Latin)

Glória in excélsis Deo

et in terra pax homínibus bonae voluntátis.

Laudámus te,

benedícimus te,

adorámus te,

glorificámus te,

grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam,

Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis,

Deus Pater omnípotens.

Dómine Fili Unigénite, Iesu Christe,

Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris,

qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis;

qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram.

Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis.

Quóniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dóminus, tu solus Altíssimus,

Iesu Christe, cum Sancto Spíritu: in glória Dei Patris. Amen.

(English)

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you,

we bless you,

we adore you,

we glorify you,

we give you thanks for your great glory,

Lord God, heavenly King,

O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;

you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.

you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Best wishes for a peaceful Sabbath evening.

He is Risen • Music for a Christ-Centered Easter

As Easter Sunday is just a little less than one month away, I thought I would post the usual updated holiday playlist that we are enjoying here in our home. I keep adding tracks to it each week, but as of right now there are 120 songs, totaling over 8 hours of music.

Easter is my most favorite holiday of the year, and I have long wondered why we often don't seem to approach the season with the same anticipation and worship as Christmas-- generally speaking, of course.

For the last few years, I've started observing my own version of Lent, and if you're interested you can read some of my thoughts on it here. I also love Ann Voskamp's recent thoughts on the season here. I've shared her words before, but they bear repeating:

Lent. It’s the preparing the heart for Easter. Like going with Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, that we might come face to ugly face with our enemy. Our sacrificing that we might become more like Christ in His sacrifice... Lent isn’t about forfeiting as much as it’s about formation. We renounce to be reborn; we let go to become ‘little Christs’. It’s about this: We break away to become.

Just as Christ-centered Christmas music adds depth and breadth to Advent, I love keeping my focus on the Savior this time of year with music that supports that desire. I hope it brings the Spirit in your homes and hearts as well.

(If you are reading this post on an RSS feed reader, please be aware that there is a widget link to my Spotify playlist on my site which will allow you to listen to almost the entire playlist for free. If for some reason it is not letting you listen from here, you can also search Spotify for the playlist "He is Risen")

• • •

If you don't want to create a Spotify account, here is a list of the tracks on my playlist (via affiliate links) if you are curious:

Morning Has Broken - Steven Curtis Chapman

Christ is Risen - Matt Maher

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - Page CXVI

Man of Sorrows - David Potter

Hearts and Voices - High Street Hymns

What a Savior - Laura Story

Alive - Natalie Grant

He is Risen - Jacob and Matthew Band

Empty - Dan Haseltine & Matt Hammitt

No Not One - Brandon Heath

This is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham

You Are I Am - MercyMe

Sing - Josh Wilson

Be Loved - Christy Nockels

Cornerstone - Hillsong Live

Beautiful One - Jackie François

What Love Is This - Kari Jobe

Carry Me to the Cross - Kutless

You Are My King (Amazing Love) - Newsboys

Overcome - Jeremy Camp

Hope of the Broken World - Selah

Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin

All of Creation - MercyMe

Glorious Day - Jeff Johnson

How Love Wins - Steven Curtis Chapman

My Savior My God - Aaron Shust

Wondrous Love (Acoustic Version) - Jadon Lavik

Christ the Lord is Risen Today - Aaron Hale

I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin

After All (Holy) - David Crowder Band

Mighty to Save - Laura Story

All For You - MIKESCHAIR

O Praise Him (All This For A King) - Oceans Above

The Light in Me - Brandon Heath

Strong Enough to Save - Tenth Avenue North

You Have Redeemed My Soul - Page CXVI

The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) - Sherri Youngward

His Name Shall Be Called - Jadon Lavik

In Christ Alone - Bethany Dillon & Matt Hammitt

Lead Me to the Cross - Hillsong United

Love Came Down - Kari Jobe

Beautiful Scandalous Night - Robbie Seay Band

Love Love Love - Daniel Renstrom

How Great Is Our God - Bethany Dillon

My Hope is in You - Aaron Shust

Your Great Name (Acoustic Version) - Natalie Grant

Healed - Nichole Nordeman

How Great Thou Art - Jadon Lavik

Lord, I Need You - Matt Maher

Motion of Mercy - Francesca Battistelli

Safe - Phil Wickham

How Sweet the Sound - Citizen Way

Redeemed - Big Daddy Weave

Your Love - Brandon Heath

One Thing Remains - Jeremy Riddle

Forever Reign - one sonic society

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) - Hillsong United

Jesus, Son of God - Chris Tomlin & Christy Nockels

Rock of Ages - David Potter

Hero - Abandon

The Reason for the World - Matthew West

Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest) - Kari Jobe

It Is Well (Oh My Soul) - Brandon Heath

Lamb of God - Sarah Reeves

Love is Here - Tenth Avenue North

You Won't Let Go - Michael W. Smith

Only Grace (Acoustic Version) - Matthew West

I Shall Not Want - Audrey Assad

Spoken For - MercyMe

How He Loves - David Crowder Band

Open Up - The Brilliance

The Proof of Your Love - for King & Country

Own Me - Ginny Owens

Hallelujah - Tenth Avenue North

Stolen - Brandon Heath

I Am New - Jason Gray

Wondrous Love - Aaron Shust & Kari Jobe

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Katy Kinard

Delivered (Acoustic Version) - Casting Crowns

Revelation Song - Shane & Shane

I Will Lift My Eyes - Bebo Norman

You Love Me Anyway - Sidewalk Prophets

At Your Name (Yahweh, Yahweh) - Phil Wickham

Joyful - Brenton Brown

All Creatures of Our God and King -  Donna Stuart

Hosanna - Hillsong United

Our God - Chris Tomlin

I Am - Mark Schultz

Beautiful, Beautiful - Francesca Battistelli

You Are Everything - Matthew West

Grace - Tenth Avenue North

The Hurt & The Healer - MercyMe

East to West (Acoustic Version) - Casting Crowns

Forgiven - Sanctus Real

Grace That Is Greater - Building 429

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Look Up) - Nichole Nordeman

The Great Day - Michael W. Smith & Darlene Zschech

 Redeemer - Nicole C. Mullen

Healing Begins - Tenth Avenue North

The Redeemer - Sanctus Real

My Help Comes from the Lord - The Museum

I Am - Crowder

Keep Making Me - Sidewalk Prophets

Sing It - Josh Wilson

Isaiah 55 - Leigh Nash

Joy Is In Our Hearts - Sara Groves

I Need Thee - Jadon Lavik

Alive Again - Matt Maher

Broken Hallelujah - The Afters

We Are - Kari Jobe

Jesus, Firm Foundation - Mike Donehey, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Hall, & Mandisa

Aftermath - Hillsong United

He Paid It All - Brandon Heath

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin

Sing Hallelujah - Steven Curtis Chapman

Let this playlist serve as a jumping off point for you to create an Easter playlist of your own!

Have a very blessed Easter.

♥

Contemplative Christmas • Music for a Christ-Centered Holiday

With the advent of the Christmas season upon us, I thought I would share the updated holiday playlist that is currently in rotation here in our home. At present it consists of 100+ songs, totaling over 6 hours of music.

For me personally, I wanted a playlist that would center my thoughts on the Source of our celebration. So if you listen to these songs, you will quickly discover that there are no Santa references, no jingle bells, none of that type of stuff. Not that I don't love sleigh rides, mistletoe, snowmen, and all the other wonderful, fun traditions of this time of year. I do! And I have a library of music built up over the years with hours upon hours with all those wonderful, traditional, more secular carols that I still listen to somewhat regularly. You probably do, too.

But that's not what this particular playlist is about.

The message in this music has made a difference in how I have approached worship from the beginning of Advent through the entire Christmas season. Bear in mind that as it is my playlist, it does cater specifically to my musical tastes-- which lean more toward the indie, folk, & contemporary Christian genres. So apologies if that's really not your thing. Also, just for your information-- the tracks from The Brilliance were not in the Spotify catalog at the time of this posting and were added to the playlist from my personal collection. Therefore, they may not show up on your personal Spotify playlist. But if you're into indie music, check them out via the link below. Love them.

I hope you enjoy.
Have a blessed Christmas season!

(If you are reading this post on an RSS feed reader, please be aware that there is a widget link to my Spotify playlist on my site which will allow you to listen to almost the entire playlist for free. If for some reason it is not letting you listen from here, you can also search Spotify for the playlist "Contemplative Christmas.")

• • •

If you don't want to create a Spotify account, here is a list of the tracks on my playlist (via affiliate links) if you are curious:

Maybe This Christmas - Ron Sexsmith

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Bethany Dillon

A Baby Will Come - Emilee Cook

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - Daniel Renstrom

Gabriel's Message - Jars of Clay

Hope - The Brilliance

Carol of the Bells / God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - The Piano Guys

O Holy Night - Shane & Shane

The Night Before Christmas - Brandon Heath

Come and Worship - Bebo Norman

Joy to the World - Red Mountain Church

Unto Us - Folk Angel

O Come All Ye Faithful - Mindy Gledhill

Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella - Beth Whitney

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - High Street Hymns

Child of Love - Sara Groves

The Earth Stood Still - Future of Forestry

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Steven Sharp Nelson ft. Paul Cardall

What a Glorious Night - Sidewalk Prophets

Jesus, Savior - Chris August

God Has Come to Earth - Aaron Shust

Angels We Have Heard on High - Chris Tomlin

Do You Hear What I Hear? - Nichole Nordeman

Emmanuel - Hillsong

Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) - Sara Groves

Asleep in the Hay - Jonny Diaz

Once in Royal David's City - Sufjan Stevens

Winter Snow - Audrey Assad ft. Chris Tomlin

Sing Him Gloria - Shelly E. Johnson

In the Bleak Midwinter - Steven Curtis Chapman

A Voice is Sounding - Sojourn

Stars of Glory - The Lower Lights

Better Days - Matt Brouwer

Born is the King (It's Christmas) - Phillips, Craig, & Dean

I Saw Three Ships / Pat-A-Pan - Michele McLaughlin

Away in a Manger - Mindy Smith

Joseph's Lullaby - MercyMe

You're Here - Francesca Battistelli

The First Noel - Phil Wickham

Far Far Away on Judea's Plains - Nancy Hanson

With Wondering Awe - Debra Fotheringham Band

Baby Boy - for King & Country

This Is Christmas - Kutless

Here With Us - Joy Williams

Go Tell it on the Mountain - Tenth Avenue North

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - Jars of Clay

Peace Peace - Sara Groves

Christmastide - The Brilliance

Carol of the Bells - Lanae' Hale

Love Came Down at Christmas - Shawn Colvin

Silent Night - Marie Miller

Hallelujah the Lord Has Come - Jadon Lavik

God Is With Us - Sojourn

Easier (The Song of the Wiseman) - Jason Gray

I Wonder as I Wander - Will Ackerman, David Cullen

Coventry Carol - Point of Grace

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Act of Congress

Holy, Holy, Holy - Sufjan Stevens

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - MercyMe

I Am Joseph (God Is With Us) - Steven Curtis Chapman

Heaven Everywhere - Francesca Battistelli

What Child is This? (Greensleeves) - Sarah McLachlan

Still, Still, Still - Kirby Heyborne

Stars Were Gleaming - Nancy Hanson

Joy to the World - Bebo Norman

How Many Kings - Downhere

Come Let Us Adore Him - Savannah Ellis

Unto Us - Hillsong

Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Daniel Renstrom

Bethlehem Skies - Dara Maclean ft. Dave Barnes

Glory in the Highest - Shane & Shane

Jesus Is Alive - Josh Wilson

The Holly and the Ivy - George Winston

Mary, Did You Know? - Erin O'Donnell

O Holy Night - Shawn McDonald

Long, Long Ago - Andrew Peterson

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent - Red Mountain Church

We Three Kings - Steven Curtis Chapman

I Saw Three Ships - The Lower Lights

Just a Girl - Brandon Heath

Babe in the Straw - Caedmon's Call

This is Love - Paul Baloche & Kathryn Scott

Drummer Boy - Jars of Clay

Once a Year - Josh Wilson ft. Andrew Peterson

Beautiful - Kutless

O Little Town of Bethlehem - FFH

Love Has a Name - Jason Gray

Redemption Song - MIKESCHAIR

Our God - Lincoln Brewster

Glory to God in the Highest - Downhere

Lo How a Rose E're Blooming - Derek Webb

See Amid the Winter's Snow - Abby Eaton

Glory Be - Sojourn

Child in the Manger - Derri Daugherty

There is Room - Zac Hicks & Cherry Creek Worship

Where Are You Christmas? - The Piano Guys ft. Sarah Schmidt

Real - Nichole Nordeman

Someday At Christmas - Jack Johnson

Open Up - The Brilliance

O Sacred and Immortal Day - Leigh Nash

Silent Night - Shane & Shane

It's True - Sara Groves ft. Toby Groves

Let this list stand as a starting point for you to create a Christ-centered Christmas playlist of your own!

May God's blessings be with you and your loved ones this holiday season & always.

♥

Give Thanks • Music for a Christ-Centered Thanksgiving

November is upon us again! And if you have gotten to know my family & I through this little blog over the years, you know that Thanksgiving is a big deal to us. For years it has always frustrated me that Halloween and Christmas have started to encroach upon each other so much that Thanksgiving is often an after thought-- a blip in the radar between two huge commercial holidays.

Now, as much as I love Christmas music, for a long time I have been searching out music that would help my kids and I focus on our blessings and all that we have to be grateful for during this time of year. For the past couple of years I have created playlists that we have listened to throughout the month, and it has been an amazing addition to our season of gratitude. Christmas music will be played in full force here in our home-- but starting the day after Thanksgiving.

This year I have more than doubled the size of the playlist, expanding it from a little over 40 tracks to now more than 80. That adds up to over five hours worth of music!

It goes without saying that taste in music is entirely subjective, but I hope that some of these songs will appeal to you and your family as well. The playlist includes a mix of indie, folk, and contemporary Christian music that is especially appropriate for this time of year. Some songs speak directly of giving thanks and gratitude, some are traditional folk songs associated with this time of year, some are bluegrass hymns with a rustic nature that just seems to suit the season, and others are simply more general in their praise of God and all the blessings He freely bestows to His children.  Collectively, all of them have helped our family keep the focus in our home on giving thanks at this special time of year.

(If you are reading this post on an RSS feed reader, please be aware that there is a widget link to my Spotify playlist on my site which will allow you to listen to the entire playlist for free. You can also search Spotify for the playlist "give thanks.")

• • •

If you don't want to create a Spotify account, here is a list of the tracks (via affiliate links) on my playlist if you are curious:

Simple Gifts - Steven Sharp Nelson

Come On - Rend Collective Experiment

This is the Day - Rachel Scott

For the Beauty of the Earth - Steve & Danny Thompson

My Father's World - Jadon Lavik

The Harvester - Brandon Heath

Down to the River to Pray - Alison Krauss

Anchored in Love - Jenny & Tyler

Come Ye Thankful People Come - Leigh Nash

Starry Night (Acoustic Version) - Chris August

How Great Thou Art - Lindsey Kane

Come Thou Fount - Audrey Assad

Indescribable - Chris Tomlin

Live Out Loud (re:created version) - Steven Curtis Chapman

I Will Give Thanks - Josh Blakesley

Thanksgiving - George Winston

Pilgrim Go! - Cherie Call

Love Love Love - Daniel Renstrom

Count Your Blessings - The Lower Lights

Glory Bound - The Wailin' Jennys

Take My Hand (Analog Sessions Version) - Shawn McDonald

God of Wonders - By the Tree

My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness - Keith & Kristyn Getty

Hallelujah God is Near (Acoustic Version) - Robbie Seay Band

How He Loves (Acoustic Version) - David Crowder Band

Yes, God is Good - High Street Hymns ft. Robb Esperat

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - Jon Meyer

How Could I Ever Say Thank You - Kathryn Scott

Psalm 118 - Shane & Shane

Yours Forever - Dara Maclean

Thank You - JJ Heller

Late November - Ryan Hubbell

Lead, Kindly Light - The Lower Lights

Blessed Be Your Name (Acoustic Version) - Matt Redman

Free to be Me (Dented Fender Sessions Version) - Francesca Battistelli

Hallelujah (Acoustic Version) - Bethany Dillon

Gratitude - Nichole Nordeman

We Gather Together - Tim Brace

How Can I Keep From Singing (Acoustic Version) - Chris Tomlin

Good to Me - Audrey Assad

10,000 Reasons - Rend Collective Experiment

From This Valley - The Civil Wars

A Mighty Fortress - Dave Hunt

It Is Well - The Ember Days

Flood Waters - Josh Garrels

Raise My Voice (Acoustic Version) - Robbie Seay Band

Blessings - Laura Story

Behind the Beauty - Josh Wilson

God of Our Fathers - Twila Paris

Home - The Piano Guys

Simple Gifts - Jewel

Come, Ye Children of the Lord - The Lower Lights

I'll Fly Away - Gillian Welch & Alison Krauss

All Creatures of our God and King - High Street Hymns

The Earth is Yours - Gungor

We Give Thanks - Caedmon's Call

One Thing Remains - Bethel Music ft. Brian Johnson

We Thank Thee, O God for a Prophet - The Lower Lights

Oh How I Need You - All Sons & Daughters

Doxology (Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow) - Jadon Lavik

Long Walk Home - The City Harmonic

Follow You - Leeland ft. Brandon Heath

We Fall Down - Shane Everett

Miracle of the Moment (Acoustic Version) - Steven Curtis Chapman

For Love of You - Audrey Assad

Now Thank We All Our God - Craig Duncan

Long Time Traveller - The Wailin' Jennys

Psalm 46 - Jenny & Tyler

Captivated (Analog Sessions Version) - Shawn McDonald

Enough (Acoustic Version) - Chris Tomlin

Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners - Matthew Smith

Your Love (Acoustic Version) - Brandon Heath

Build Your Kingdom Here - Rend Collective Experiment

Doxology - Michael Gungor

The Lord's Prayer - Shane & Shane

Fire By Night - Josh Garrels

Divine Romance - Phil Wickham

It Is Well With My Soul - Chris Rice

Homeward Bound - Ashlee Cook

My Heavenly Father Loves Me - Paul Cardall

What a Wonderful World - Stacey Kent

Amazing Grace - Jadon Lavik

Count Your Blessings - Ali Matthews

New World - Steven Sharp Nelson

Let this list stand as a starting point for you to create a Thanksgiving playlist of your own!

May God's blessings be with you and your loved ones this holiday season & always.

♥

 

He Is Risen • An Easter Playlist

***Edited to add: There is now an updated version of this playlist available here. I hope you enjoy!*** 

Well, as you probably know-- and if you don't, you should-- there are four weeks until Easter Sunday.

I love this time of year. While the crisp days of early autumn are my favorite time of year, the weeks leading up to Easter are a close second. And Easter itself is my most favorite holiday of all.

While I've been getting in the Easter spirit for awhile now (see my recent post on Lent here), I thought now would be a pretty good time to share the playlist I've been listening to lately as I strive to deepen my personal meditation on the atoning sacrifice of our Savior.

This is a group of songs that I have put together over the last few years, consistently adding to it over time-- just like my other playlists that I've posted. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as my family has.

 (If you are reading this post on an RSS feed reader, please be aware that there is a widget link to my Spotify playlist on my site which will allow you to listen to the entire playlist for free.)

• • •

If you don't want to create a Spotify account, here is a list of the tracks on my playlist if you are curious:

 1. Morning Has Broken - Steven Curtis Chapman

2. Christ Is Risen - Matt Maher

3. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - Page CXVI

4. What a Savior - Laura Story

5. Alive - Natalie Grant

6. He Is Risen - Jacob & Matthew Band

7. Empty - Dan Haseltine & Matt Hammitt

8. No Not One - Brandon Heath

9. Overcome - Jeremy Camp

10. All of Creation - MercyMe

11. Glorious Day - Jeff Johnson

12. The Victory - Phil Wickham

13. Scandal of Grace - Hillsong United

14. How Deep The Father's Love For Us - Katy Kinard

15. We Fall Down - Nichole Nordeman
(added after initial post published: My Savior, My God - Aaron Shust)

16. Wondrous Love - Jadon Lavik

17. Christ the Lord is Risen Today - Aaron Hale

18. I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin

19. After All (Holy) - David Crowder Band

20. Mighty To Save - Laura Story

21. All For You - MIKESCHAIR

22. O Praise Him (All This For A King) - Oceans Above

23. The Light In Me - Brandon Heath

24. Strong Enough to Save - Tenth Avenue North

25. You Have Redeemed My Soul - Page CXVI

26. His Name Shall Be Called - Jadon Lavik

27. In Christ Alone - Bethany Dillon & Matt Hammitt

28. Lead Me To The Cross - Hillsong United

29. Beautiful Scandalous Night - Robbie Seay Band

30. Hero - Abandon

31. How Great Is Our God - Bethany Dillon

32. My Hope Is In You - Aaron Shust

33. Your Great Name (Acoustic Version) - Natalie Grant

34. Healed - Nichole Nordeman

35. How Great Thou Art - Jadon Lavik

36. Motion of Mercy - Francesca Battistelli

37. Redeemed - Big Daddy Weave

38. Your Love - Brandon Heath

39. One Thing Remains - Jeremy Riddle

40. Forever Reign - one sonic society

41. How He Loves - David Crowder Band

42. Open Up - The Brilliance

43. The Proof of Your Love - for King & Country

44. Own Me - Ginny Owens

45. Hallelujah - Tenth Avenue North

46. Stolen - Brandon Heath

47. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Katy Kinard

48. Delivered (Acoustic Version) - Casting Crowns

49. I Will Lift My Eyes - Bebo Norman

50. You Love Me Anyway - Sidewalk Prophets

51. At Your Name - Phil Wickham

52. Isaiah 55 - Leigh Nash

53. Joy Is In Our Hearts - Sara Groves

54. I Need Thee - Jadon Lavik

55. We Are - Kari Jobe
(added after initial post published: Jesus, Firm Foundation - Mike Donehey, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Hall & Mandisa)

56. He Paid It All - Brandon Heath

57. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin

58. Sing Hallelujah - Steven Curtis Chapman

Feel free to use this as a starting point for creating a soundtrack of your own!

♥

A Contemplative Christmas Playlist

To be totally honest, I was a little blown away by the response I received to my Thanksgiving playlist a few weeks back. For someone who doesn't even list her blog with search engines, I was taken a little off guard by the traffic flowing to my little corner of the web via Pinterest. So to those of you who enjoyed that post, I am really happy that I was able to do a little something to help make Thanksgiving more contemplative. And many thanks to my blogging buddy Montserrat over at Chocolate on my Cranium, who has shared my enthusiasm for creating a more meaningful Thanksgiving holiday season.

In that same vein, I thought I'd share my Christmas playlist that I've had playing regularly in our home this week. Similarly to my Thanksgiving tracks, I wanted a playlist that would center my thoughts on the Source of our celebration. So if you listen to these songs, you will quickly discover that there are no Santa references, no jingle bells, none of that type of stuff. Not that I don't love sleigh rides, mistletoe, snowmen, and all the other wonderful, fun traditions of this time of year. I do! And I have a library of music with hours upon hours with all those wonderful, traditional, more secular carols that I listen to regularly. You probably do, too.

But that's not what this particular playlist is about.

So here are 55 contemporary, mostly Christ-centered songs (and certainly more to come...), totaling well over 3 hours of listening pleasure that have made a difference in how I have approached the beginning of Advent and the Christmas season. Bear in mind that as it is my playlist, it does cater specifically to my musical tastes-- which lean more toward the indie & folk genres. So apologies if that's really not your thing. Of these 55 tracks, there is only one true repeat song. I couldn't decide which version of "O Holy Night" I preferred-- Shane & Shane's rollicking uptempo take of the beloved hymn (I know, but it works, trust me) or Shawn McDonald's more traditional acoustic version-- so I included both. 

I hope you enjoy.
Have a blessed Christmas season!

(If you are reading this post on an RSS feed reader, please be aware that there is a widget link to my Spotify playlist on my site which will allow you to listen to the entire playlist for free.)

• • •

And here is the track list:

1. Maybe This Christmas - Leigh Nash

2. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Bethany Dillon

3. A Baby Will Come - Emilee Cook

4. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - Daniel Renstrom

5. We Will Find Our Hope - The Brilliance

6. Carol of the Bells / God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - The Piano Guys

7. O Holy Night - Shane & Shane

8. The Night Before Christmas - Brandon Heath

9. Come and Worship - Bebo Norman

10. O Come All Ye Faithful - Mindy Gledhill

11. Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella - Beth Whitney

12. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Steven Sharp Nelson ft. Paul Cardall

13. Angels We Have Heard on High (Acoustic Version) - Chris Tomlin

14. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Nichole Nordeman

15. Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) - Sara Groves

16. Asleep in the Hay - Jonny Diaz

17. Once in Royal David's City - Sufjan Stevens

18. Winter Snow - Chris Tomlin ft. Audrey Assad

19. In the Bleak Midwinter - Steven Curtis Chapman

20. Better Days - Matt Brouwer

21. I Saw Three Ships / Pat-a-Pan - Michele McLaughlin

22. Away in a Manger - Mindy Smith

23. Joseph's Lullaby - MercyMe

24. You're Here - Francesca Battistelli

25. The First Noel - Phil Wickham

26. Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains - Nancy Hanson

27. Baby Boy - for King & Country

28. Go Tell it on the Mountain - Tenth Avenue North

29. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - Jars of Clay

30. Peace Peace - Sara Groves

31. Christmastide - The Brilliance

32. Love Came Down at Christmas - Shawn Colvin

33. Hallelujah the Lord Has Come - Jadon Lavik

34. I Wonder as I Wander - Will Ackerman with David Cullen

35. Coventry Carol - Point of Grace

36. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Act of Congress

37. Holy, Holy, Holy - Sufjan Stevens

38. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - MercyMe

39. What Child is This? (Greensleeves) - Sarah McLachlan

40. Still, Still, Still - Kirby Heyborne

41. Stars Were Gleaming - Nancy Hanson

42. Joy to the World - Bebo Norman

43. Come Let Us Adore Him - Savannah Ellis

44. Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Daniel Renstrom

45. Jesus is Alive - Josh Wilson

46. The Holly and the Ivy - George Winston

47. Mary, Did You Know? - Ali Matthews

48. O Holy Night - Shawn McDonald

49. We Three Kings - Steven Curtis Chapman

50. Babe in the Straw - Caedmon's Call

51. O Little Town of Bethlehem - FFH

52. Redemption Song - MIKESCHAIR

53. Someday at Christmas - Jack Johnson

54. Silent Night - Shane & Shane

55. It's True - Sara Groves ft. Toby Groves

♥

Give Thanks • A Thanksgiving Playlist

***Update: For the latest Thanksgiving playlist, please visit this link!*** :)

Last year I started a new tradition in our home leading up to Thanksgiving. If you know me well, then you also know that I am a music fanatic. In fact, it would be a rare moment indeed if you stopped by during the day and did not find some sort of music playing the background as I went about my daily work here in the home. So as Thanksgiving approached last November, I decided I was going to create my own soundtrack for the holiday.

As much as I love Christmas music, I wanted something that would help my kids and I focus on our blessings and all that we have to be grateful for during this time of year. I've always found it a little puzzling that we have such an archive of music celebrating Christmas (with good reason), but didn't have the same for some of our other important holidays.

Last November I wrote a post with some links to download music I had put together on a CD. As the months have gone by I have since added much to that playlist. I also don't really use CD's much anymore. Lately I have been using the music app Spotify for nearly all of my daily listening. While they have a free version with commercials that will play on your computer, I finally decided to splurge and pay for the premium version without commercials that will play on all of my mobile devices pretty much anywhere without any commercials whatsoever. For just under ten dollars a month, it was much cheaper than my previous music collecting habit. So if you are like me, you might want to check it out. Our family has really enjoyed having access to such an enormous library of music. (And no, no one is paying me to say that. Just a free public service annoucement, ha.)

Since I have added so many new tracks to the playlist this year, I really don't have time to go through and link each new song to the iTunes or Amazon music store. (I have a four-month-old and two-year-old twins!) But you can scroll through my playlist below and see what suits your fancy if you are interested.

The playlist includes contemporary music that is especially appropriate for this time of year. Some songs speak directly of giving thanks and gratitude, some are traditional folk songs associated with this time of year, some are bluegrass hymns with a rustic nature that just seems to suit the season, and others are simply more general in their praise of God and all the blessings He freely bestows to His children.  Collectively, all of them have helped our family keep the focus in our home on giving thanks at this special time of year.


I have been working on creating a more traditional/classical Thanksgiving playlist as well, but haven't had the time to refine it the way that I would like. If I have the chance I will try and do so and post it later on this month. In the meantime, we have enjoyed listening to the following album put out by Brigham Young University, The Pilgrim's Journey Home.


Best wishes for a spirit of gratitude in your home this year and always!

• • •

If you don't want to create a Spotify account, here is a list of the tracks on my playlist if you are curious:

1. Simple Gifts - Steven Curtis Chapman

2. This is the Day -  Rachel Scott

3. For the Beauty of the Earth - Steve & Danny Thompson

4. My Father's World - Jadon Lavik

5. The Harvester - Brandon Heath

6. Down to the River to Pray - Alison Krauss

7. Come Ye Thankful People Come - Leigh Nash

8. Starry Night (Acoustic Version) - Chris August

9. How Great Thou Art - Lindsey Kane

10. Indescribable - Chris Tomlin

11. I Will Give Thanks - Josh Blakesley

12. A Grateful Heart - Kevin Toney

13. Pilgrim Go! - Cherie Call

14. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - Jon Meyer

15. How Could I Ever Say Thank You - Kathryn Scott

16. Psalm 118 - Shane & Shane

17. Yours Forever - Dara Maclean

18. Blessed Be Your Name (Acoustic Version) - Matt Redman

19. Hallelujah (Acoustic Version) - Bethany Dillon

20. Gratitude - Nichole Nordeman

21. We Gather Together - Tim Brace

22. How Can I Keep From Singing (Acoustic Version) - Chris Tomlin

23. From This Valley - The Civil Wars

24. Blessings - Laura Story

25. Behind the Beauty - Josh Wilson

26. Simple Gifts - Jewel

27. I'll Fly Away - Gillian Welch & Alison Krauss

28. All Creatures of our God and King - Justin Unger

29. The Earth is Yours - Gungor

30. We Give Thanks - Caedmon's Call

31. Follow You - Leeland ft. Brandon Heath

32. Miracle of the Moment (Acoustic Version) - Steven Curtis Chapman

33. Now Thank We All Our God - Craig Duncan

34. Long Time Traveller - The Wailin' Jennys

35. The Lord's Prayer - Shane & Shane

36. Homeward Bound - Ashlee Cook

37. My Heavenly Father Loves Me - Paul Cardall

38. What a Wonderful World - Stacey Kent

39. Amazing Grace - Jadon Lavik

40. Count Your Blessings - Ali Matthews

41. New World - Steven Sharp Nelson

Feel free to use this as a starting point for creating a soundtrack of your own!

♥

Soundtrack of Gratitude

Now I must confess, I absolutely love Christmas music.

Although I normally refrain from playing it before Thanksgiving, I will freely admit that there have been times when I have listened to my favorites during the "off season."  But particularly since I have had children, I have come to notice that when Christmas music is playing in the early weeks of November, the focus tends to shift ever so tangibly to Christmas instead of the holiday that is actually approaching. 

So this year, I decided that I was going to try and find some Thanksgiving music to listen to through these next few weeks.  And you know what?  I found some great tracks.

I thought I'd share a playlist I created of some great contemporary songs that are especially appropriate for Thanksgiving.  Some speak directly of giving thanks and gratitude, some are traditional folk songs associated with this time of year, and others are simply more general in their praise of God and all the blessings He freely bestows to His children.  All of them have helped me keep the focus in our home on giving thanks at this special time of year.

• • •

A Soundtrack of Gratitude (Contemporary Version)

1.  Simple Gifts - Steven Sharp Nelson

2.  This is the Day - Rachel Scott

3.  For the Beauty of the Earth - Steve & Danny Thompson

4.  My Father's World - Jadon Lavik

5.  How Great Thou Art - Lindsey Kane

6.  Praise to the Lord, The Almighty - Jon Meyer

7.  How Could I Ever Say Thank You - Kathryn Scott

8.  Psalm 118 - Shane & Shane

9.  Hallelujah (Acoustic Version) - Bethany Dillon

10.  You Raise Me Up - Aled Jones

11. Gratitude - Nichole Nordeman

12.  How Can I Keep From Singing? (Acoustic Version) - Chris Tomlin

13.  Simple Gifts - Jewel

14.  All Creatures of Our God and King - Justin Unger

15.  Homeward Bound - Ashlee Cook

16.  What a Wonderful World - Stacey Kent

17.  Amazing Grace - Jadon Lavik

18.  Count Your Blessings - Ali Matthews

I hope you enjoy this playlist as much as our family has!  I'm also working on fine tuning a more traditional/classical playlist for Thanksgiving as well.  I'll try and post it in the coming days.

Best wishes for a season of gratitude!