Perfect Songs For Christmas Eve

There are so many well loved traditional carols sung at Christmas.  Here are a few we thought might be a perfect choice for your Christmas Eve Service.  There are mulitple versions to choose from -- something to fit every service type, from traditional to contemporary. 

O Come All Ye Faithful / O Come Let Us Adore Him

Originally, this song went by the Latin title, 'Adeste Fideles'.  This song is thought to date back to somewhere in the early 1600's.  Additional verses, by different writers, have been added since the arrangement was first created.

1. Paul Baloche (Christmas Worship)
2. Chris Tomlin (Glory In The Highest)
3. Lincoln Brewster (Joy To The World)
4. Third Day (Christmas Offerings)
5. Casting Crowns (Peace On Earth)
6. North Point Church (North Point Christmas)
7. PraiseCharts Band (PraiseCarols Vol 1)
8. Kim Walker-Smith (When Christmas Comes)
9. Phil Wickham (Songs For Christmas)
10. Traditional (Traditional Carols Collection)

Silent Night

This song was penned originally as a poem, by Joseph Mohr. Music to accompany the poem was later composed by Mohr's friend, Franz Xaver Gruber.  This traditional carol dates back to the 1800's. 

1. Kim Walker-Smith (When Christmas Comes)
2. Matt Maher (Silent Night (Emmanuel))
3. Casting Crowns (Peace On Earth)
4. North Point Music (Let There Be Light)
5. Mercy Me (The Christmas Sessions)
6. Phil Wickham (Songs For Christmas)
7. PraiseCharts Band (PraiseCarols Vol 1)
8. Lincoln Brewster (Joy To The World)
9. Traditional (Traditional Carols Collection)
10. Michael W. Smith (The Spirit Of Christmas)

O Holy Night

Originating in France, 'O Holy Night' has made its way around the world.  In 1843, at the request of the town's priest, Placide Cappeau wrote the Christmas poem 'Cantique de Noel' (known today as O Holy Night).  In 1847 Adolphe Adam composed the music and the song was debuted by opera singer Emily Laurey that same year.

1. Chris Tomlin (Glory In The Highest)
2. Kim Walker-Smith (When Christmas Comes)
3. Lincoln Brewster (Joy To The World)
4. Traditional (Traditional Carols Collection)
5. Mercy Me (The Christmas Sessions)
6. North Point Music (Let There Be Light)
7. Kerrie Roberts (Essential Christmas Collection)
8. Phil Wickham (Songs For Christmas)
9. Hillsong Live (Born Is The King)
10. David Crowder (Oh For Joy)

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

Phillip Brooks spent Christmas Eve of 1865 in Bethlehem.  He attended a Christmas worship celebration, not far from the hillside on which the Shepherds stood many years before.  In 1868, after recalling that magical night, Brooks wrote the words to 'O Little Town Of Bethlehem' for his children's choir to sing on Christmas Eve. 

1. Kari Jobe (Bethlehem)
2. Jeremy Camp (Christmas God With Us)
3. Traditional (Traditional Carols Collection)
4. PraiseCharts Band (PraiseCarols Vol 1)
5. Hillsong Church (Celebrating Christmas)
6. Essential Worship (Worship With Christmas)
7. 714 (O Little Town Of Bethlehem)
8. Don Chapman (Christmas Hymn Charts)
9. Dan Graeber (Be Born Is Us Today)
10. Don Chapman (Christmas Eve Service Guide)

The First Noel

The original version by an unknown writer is thought to date back to the 17th century. In 1823 William Sandys and Davies Gilbert edited and added lyrics to create the song the song we sing today. 

1. David Crowder (WOW Christmas Silver)
2. Hillsong Young & Free (Noel)
3. Kim Walker-Smith (When Christmas Comes)
4. Third Day (Christmas Offerings)
5. Hillsong Church (Jesus Christmas Worship Down Under)
6. Hillsong Church (We Have A Savior)
7. PraiseCharts Band (PraiseCarols Vol 1)
8. Traditional (Tradtional Carols Collection)
9. Phil Wickham (Songs For Christmas)
10. Valley Worship (God With Us)

Away In A Manger

This song is also known as 'Luther's Craddle Song'.  The song has two popular melodies; Mueller's melody is most commonly sung in the US, while the cradle song melody is more commonly sung in the UK.

1. Casting Crowns (Peace On Earth)
2. Kim Walker-Smith (When Christmas Comes)
3. Jeremy Camp (Christmas God With Us)
4. Traditional (Traditional Carols Collection)
5. PraiseCharts Band (PraiseCarols Vol 2)
6. Third Day (Christmas Offerings)
7. Andrea Duvall (Contemporary Worship Carols)
8. 714 (Thrill Of Hope)
9. Essential Worship (Worship With Christmas)
10. Frank Ralls (Christmas Encouter)