Finding Sanctuary Through Music
When I think of finding the spiritual escape of sanctuary, music immediately comes to my mind. Music permeates all throughout my life and at times will speak for me when I don't have the words to say. The music of the Christmas season is no exception. My actual Christmas playlist is quite extensive, but I have managed to cull about an hour of songs that express different parts of what Christmas means to me.
Some songs are on my list because I learned them in my children's choir days. They have stuck with me through the years (particularly the German carols on the list), while some choir pieces are more recent. Some songs represent the carols I would sing to my children as lullabies at bedtime when they were little. There's a tuba-euphonium ensemble that brings back memories of Tuba Christmases and a New Orleans jazz trombonist feature in honor of my husband. There's even a song just to bring a little humor. Inside these songs you can find elements of hope, kindness, joy, and love. I hope you enjoy this list and that it brings you a small taste of auditory sanctuary.
Click here to listen to the playlist on Spotify.
"O Holy Night" by Jewel
"In the Bleak Midwinter" by Gustav Holst, performed by The King's Singers
"Warmer in the Winter" by Lindsey Stirling, featuring Trombone Shorty
"Still, Still, Still" performed by The King's Singers
"This Little Babe" by Benjamin Britten
"A Spotless Rose" by Paul Mealor
"Christmas Time Is Here" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio
"The Holly and the Ivy" by Stephen Paulus
"The First Noel" by Pentatonix
"The 12 Days of Christmas" by Straight No Chaser
"Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" by The King's Singers
"Carol of the Bells" by Pentatonix
"Christmas Canon" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
"Sleigh Ride" from Christmas Tubas
"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Johann Sebastian Bach
