Top 10 Christmas Songs to Spark Joy This Season

Some of us absolutely love the time of the year when holiday music can be heard everywhere; others of us tolerate it, at best.

For me, there are certain Christmas songs that just bring me joy — whether it's due to a childhood memory that's attached to the song, the chills I get when I hear it, or something else.

These are my ten favorite Christmas songs. (You can click on each picture to give each one a listen.)

10. "Joseph and Mary's Boy" — Alabama

The country group Alabama released its first Christmas album in 1985, and "Joseph and Mary's Boy" was Track 2. Co-written by Keith Whitley, the song finds a way to blend the traditional Christmas message with a modern application to our day-to-day lives.

READ MORE: Could This Be Your Favorite New Christmas Tradition?

9. "Please Come Home For Christmas" — Eagles

You can feel the heartache oozing through Don Henley's soulful vocal on the Eagles' 1978 version of "Please Come Home For Christmas".

8. "White Christmas" — Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby recorded the original version of "White Christmas" in 1942. Now over 80 years old, this ode to nostalgia is now nostalgia itself.

7. "Jingle Bell Rock" — Bobby Helms

In 1957, Bobby Helms would put a then-modern twist on the classic "Jingle Bells" with "Jingle Bell Rock". Lots of artists have covered it since then, but this is the original.

6. "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" — Thurl Ravenscroft

There's something about the silky smooth resonant bass of Thurl Ravenscroft that brings a smile to my face every time. That, and "a three-decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce."

5. "Christmas Time Is Here" — Vince Guaraldi Trio

The vocal version of the Vince Guaraldi Trio's "Christmas Time Is Here" is best known as the theme for "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which came out in 1965.

READ MORE: You Won't Believe the Ornaments at Michigan's Bronner's Christmas Wonderland

4. "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)" — Darlene Love

"Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)" is quite possibly the happiest sounding sad Christmas song you'll ever hear. Darlene Love released the original version in 1963, with a then-unknown Cher helping with background vocals.

3. "The Christmas Song" — Nat King Cole

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."

"The Christmas Song" was first recorded by Nat King Cole in 1946, and has gone on to become the most-performed Christmas song in history, according to the performance rights organization BMI.

2. "Mary, Did You Know" — Kenny Rogers & Wynonna

Mark Lowry, one of the men who co-wrote "Mary, Did You Know?" in 1991, came up with the idea while thinking about the things he'd ask if he had the chance to sit down and have a cup of coffee with the Mother of Jesus.

While it's not the original version, I think Kenny Rogers and Wynonna do a bang-up job.

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1. "O Holy Night" — Martina McBride

The Christmas standard "O Holy Night" dates back to at least the 1800s. The 1996 version by Martina McBride gives me chills every time I hear it.

What are your favorites? Let me know!