If you look at the lyrics of many popular Christmas songs, you will discover that they are actually about getting ready for and waiting for Christmas.
#1. When Hope Came Down
So let us sing redemption songs, Let us worship Christ the holy one. We were lost, but we were found When hope came down.
Kari Jobe’s “When Hope Came Down” is perfect for your Advent listening with the bells, even your friends will love it.
#2. It’s Beginning to Look at Lot Like Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go
This song does not proclaim it to be Christmas, but that it is starting to look like Christmas. Stores are having sales, people are shopping and decorating, but it is not in fact Christmas day.
#3. Restless
Oh, speak now for my soul is listening. Say that You have saved me, whisper in the dark, the dark. ‘Cause I know You’re more than my salvation. Without you I am hopeless, tell me who You are
“Restless” captures exactly our feelings when waiting for the coming of the baby Jesus.
#4. Silver Bells
Silver bells silver bells, It’s Christmas time in the city, Hear the bells go ring-a-ling, Soon it will be Christmas day
This song is in fact not appropriate for after Christmas, because the line about it being Christmas soon would no longer work. Again we hear of people shopping and preparing for Christmas. They are waiting and preparing.
#5. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout, I’m telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town.
Now we know that the real reason for Christmas is Jesus’ birth, but the songs about Santa Claus coming are definitely more appropriate for Advent than Christmas. We should all take the penitential part of Advent seriously and shape up, and one could argue that the songs are irrelevant after St. Nicholas Day on December 6. My children actually call Santa, St. Nicholas.
#6. All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, see my two front teeth!
Again we have a song preparing for Christmas. Maybe the sentiment of needing ones two front teeth is a little bit silly, but still this child is clearly still in Advent.
#7. Oh Holy Night
Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
These lyrics are perfect for Advent and the harmony in this video I love.
#8. All I Want for Christmas is You
All I want for Christmas is you, You baby, Oh, I won’t ask for much this Christmas, I won’t even wish for snow, And I’m just gonna keep on waiting, Underneath the mistletoe
This love song is really about waiting. It is about waiting for the one that the singer loves. We too are waiting for the One that we love to come on Christmas and at the end of time.
#9. Last Christmas
Last Christmas I gave you my heart, But the very next day you gave it away, This year, to save me from tears, I’ll give it to someone special
Here we have another song in the theme of disappointed love. The song anticipates Christmas as a better time and is ready to be done with past sorrows.
#10. I’ll Be Home for Christmas
I’ll be home for Christmas, You can plan on me, Please have snow and mistletoe, And presents ‘neath the tree
There are a number of Christmas songs about wishing for a place or a person, and these all are symbolic of our Advent longing for Jesus to come as a little baby and to come again.
#11. What Wondrous Love is This?
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul.
Chelsea Moon with the Franz Brothers version of this beautiful folk hymn is perfect for your Advent playlist year after year.
#12. Frosty the Snowman
The version that end with – I’ll be back on Christmas Day.
Frosty is in one way merely a winter song, but when the version speaks of coming back on Christmas day, it must be taking place in Advent. (Unless it happened in Minnesota where we get snow in November).
#13. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Had a very shiny nose, And if you ever saw it, You would even say it glows, And all of the other reindeer, Used to laugh and call him names, They never let poor Rudolph, Join in any reindeer games
We all are familiar with the story of poor Rudolph who did not fit in with the other reindeer because of his shiny nose. However, there is Christian symbolism in his waiting and suffering to be accepted, and finally on Christmas Eve his light is symbolic of the light of Christ coming to each and every home.
#14. White Christmas
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, Just like the ones I used to know
Again a song that dreams of Christmas, and anticipates it. This one is more eschatologically focused since it remembers happy Christmases of the past but is hoping for the ultimate end of another white Christmas. We remember the first happy Christmas in Advent as we wait for the second coming.
#15. We Need a Little Christmas
But Auntie Mame, it’s one week past Thanksgiving Day now, But we need a little Christmas, Right this very minute, Candles in the window, Carols at the spinet
The setting of this song takes place during Advent. It is not taking on a very good spirit of waiting. It is sympathetic to those who like to decorate at the beginning of Advent.
#16. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, There’ll be much mistletoeing, And hearts will be glowing, When love ones are near
Lastly, this is anticipating all the joys of Christmas. It talks about everything that is going to be done during the Christmas season, and it is waiting for those joyful things to happen.
The Cherry Tree Carol sung by Peter, Paul and Mary
